The symptom checklist
Frequent sighing or yawning. Breathlessness disproportionate to activity. Air hunger despite normal oxygen saturation. Tingling in fingers or around the mouth. Brain fog. Inability to take a satisfying deep breath.
Why it persists
Acute illness changes breathing patterns. In some people, the pattern does not reset after recovery — the body keeps over-breathing because it has learned to. This is reversible with retraining.
When to seek a physio
If breathlessness is severe, oxygen drops on exertion, or symptoms are getting worse, see a respiratory physio. Self-help is for stable, mild-to-moderate cases.
What to log for a week
Resting breath rate (in Breathe On). Sighs per hour. Symptom severity (0–10) morning and evening. Activity that triggers breathlessness.
Log your sessions in Breathe On and explore the matching guidance at [/breathing-for/long-covid](/breathing-for/long-covid).