JK Rowling has revealed a simple breathing technique which she says helped her recover from coronavirus.
The Harry Potter author shared a video on Twitter showing an NHS doctor demonstrating the method for relieving symptoms.
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Dr Sarfaraz Munshi, who works at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, east London, said in the clip that the practice is used on intensive care patients.
But added that the technique is the “only way” to get oxygen into the base of the lungs – which can help anyone fight off the infection.
Rowling, 54, praised the method for helping her recover, adding that it had been recommended to her by her doctor husband, Dr Neil Murray.
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Writing on Twitter, she said: “Please watch this doc from Queens Hospital explain how to relieve respiratory symptoms.
“For last 2 weeks I’ve had all symptoms of C19 (tho haven’t been tested) & did this on doc husband’s advice. I’m fully recovered & technique helped a lot.”
In the clip, Dr Munshi explained the method was recommended to him by his colleague Sue Elliot, a director of nursing, who relies on it to help her intensive care patients every day.
However, those who are self-isolating at home with symptoms may also find it helps relieve symptoms, he said.
Dr Munshi said: “While you have an active infection you need to be getting a good amount of air into the bases of your lungs.
“The only way you are going to do that is by having a technique.
“I want you guys to start doing this if you have the infection right from the beginning – if you want to do it before you even pick up the infection, good idea.”
How to do it
He explains that the technique involves taking five deep breaths and holding it for five seconds.
Then, take one final deep breath in and end with a big cough, covering your mouth.
This method has to be repeated for one more cycle before lying flat on your front and taking slightly deeper breaths for another 10 minutes.
He cautioned: “You’ve got to understand that the majority of your lung is on your back, not on your front.
“So by lying on your back, you’re closing off more of your airways – the smaller airways.
“This is not good during the period of infection and can lead to what’s known as atelectasis, which can lead to secondary pneumonia.”
Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung and it occurs when the tiny air sacs – called alveoli – become deflated or filled with fluid.
3 breathing tips to help reduce risk of coronavirus
Tom Parry, osteopath, Wim Hof instructor and owner of LiveLong Ltd, said breathing through your nose helps filter the air.
He said breathing in through your nose rather than your mouth can help you increase oxygen levels by as much as 15 per cent.
“Breathing through your nose acts as a natural filter, helping clear out pollutants and germs before they get to your lungs,” he told The Sun.
“So make sure you breathe through your nose when you’re out shopping for essentials, and keep your mouth shut. It can help reduce your risk of catching coronavirus.”
Tom’s 3 breathing tips to help reduce risk of coronavirus
1. Breathe through your nose – it helps you engage the diaphragm and get a fuller breath. It also encourages the release of nitric oxide from your nasal passages which increases the oxygen uptake into your blood by 15%
2. Place your hands on the side of your lower ribcage and breathe into them. This also helps activate the diaphragm and take a full breath into the entirety of the lungs.
3. Repeat this regularly throughout the day. It’s about little and often, the compound effect of health is the key. Going to the gym doesn’t get you fit, doing breathwork once will do nothing special.
Dr Munshi continued: “The most important thing is laying in bed for prolonged periods, on your back, is going to close off the small airways.
“[It will] increase your risk of secondary pneumonia, that can make your condition deteriorate much further – bearing in mind the patients that are deteriorating are deteriorating because of respiratory problems.”
Critically ill patients are often placed on their front – known as “prone positioning” – to help improve their condition.
It can be for a number of reasons, including that the back of the lung has a larger surface area of the front.
Prone positioning can also help the alveoli – which is vital for getting oxygen to the rest of the body – to open up more.
It also helps with fluid drainage and prevents the lungs from getting sticky from infection.
Coronavirus symptoms generally are a persistent cough and a fever, but some will go on to develop breathing problems.
The virus can multiply in the respiratory tract, which affects the airways, making it harder to breathe normally.
It can develop into a severe condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
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Those patients will be admitted to intensive care where they may need a ventilator to help get oxygen moving around the body.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical director of Patientaccess.com, told The Sun Online: “First and foremost, coronavirus affects your airways.
“In mild cases you may just have a dry cough or fever, possible with tiredness or aching muscles.
“However, in more serious cases it is common to develop shortness of breath as the infection settles deeper in your lungs.
Taking slow deep breaths can help calm you down and improve your breathing
Dr Sarah Jarvis
“In addition, it’s natural to feel anxious when you have symptoms of coronavirus, and that can make you feel breathless.
“Taking slow deep breaths can help calm you down and improve your breathing.
“This video points out that most of your lungs are in the back, not the front of your chest.
“That’s why staff in intensive care units often turn people onto their fronts.
“It’s also why this video makes sense when it suggests lying on your front to do some breathing.
“Of course, it’s still important to know the warning symptoms to look out and what you need to do when – don’t delay seeing help if you have any ‘red flags’.
“If you do get symptoms, use the with the Patient Access Coronavirus Checker.”
