How to breathe properly for better health.

ISLAMABAD -- Breathing is usually an unconscious process. However, there are some optimal ways to breathe. This article looks at what happens inside a person's body when they breathe. It also provides some tips and exercises for improving breathing efficiency. These are suitable for people with respiratory conditions and those without them. What happens when a person breathes? Breathing through the nose may make the lungs work more efficiently. Breathing, or respiration, is a complex process of air exchange that involves the following parts of the body: The lungs: These are a pair of spongy organs that sit on either side of the chest. The lungs expand when a person breathes in and contract when they breathe out. Each lung is surrounded by a thin membrane called the pleura, which protects the lung and allows it to slide back and forth during breathing. The diaphragm: This is a thin muscle that sits beneath the lungs and above the abdominal cavity. Its up-and down movement helps the lungs contract and expand.

The intercostal muscles: These are muscles that run between the ribs. They assist breathing by helping...

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