How can I check my breathing at home?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

Consult Now

You may check breathing or oxygenation level by "Pulse Oximeter" which gives indirect clue on lung damage but keep in mind there are other medical conditions which may affect pulse oximeter readings.

Dr. Anshul Suggests...

Consult a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

Find a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

Answered 04/07/2025

Ask Apollo

AI powered Health Chatbot

Continue Chat

Breathing Check at Home: a. Count Respirations: Sit comfortably, place a hand on your chest, and count breaths for 1 minute. b. Use a Timer: Ensure accurate timing for counting breaths. c. Normal Rate: Adults typically have 12-20 breaths per minute.
Monitor Symptoms: a. Look for Difficulty: Note any shortness of breath or wheezing. b. Check for Discomfort: Be aware of any chest pain or tightness.
Tools: a. Pulse Oximeter: Consider using one to measure oxygen saturation. b. Smartphone Apps: Some apps can help track breathing patterns.
Seek Medical Advice: a. Persistent Issues: Consult a healthcare provider if breathing problems persist.

More Pulmonology/ Respiratory Medicine Health Queries

View all

Question

I'm experiencing some wheezing, but it's only happening when I inhale. There's no sound when I exhale, although I do have a bit of trouble with it. The wheezing and breathing issues are really just on the inhale. What could be causing this?

Question

I'm really worried about this cough I've been having. After doing cardio exercise, I start coughing really badly and spit out really dark mucus, and sometimes there's even a tiny bit of blood in it. The blood only comes once, but it freaks me out. This happens for about 15 to 20 minutes after my workout, and the coughs feel super deep. The deeper they get, the more black the mucus is, and occasionally, I get this really sharp pain right in the middle of my chest. This has been going on for the last three months. I do smoke around 45 cigarettes a day and have been for the last seven years. I did get a recent medical check-up, and my ECG and chest X-ray came back normal, so I'm not sure what's going on. Can you help me understand what might be causing this?

Question

I'm experiencing heavy breathing due to chest congestion, and I think it's from the dust because of the construction work near my home. I've been taking crocin twice a day to help with the body pain that's coming from coughing. Is there anything else I should be doing to ease my breathing or any better ways to manage this situation?