This is an automatically translated article.
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is one of the most advanced radiotherapy techniques available today, widely used in most major radiotherapy centers around the world. all over the world. If you are recommended to apply this technique, the following article will help prepare your CT simulation plan and radiation treatment more smoothly.
1. What is the maximal inspiration breath holding (DIBH) technique?
DIBH is a radiation therapy technique that helps you take a deep breath, hold your breath, and hold this breath during radiation. By breathing deeply, your lungs fill with air and your heart separates from your ribcage. DIBH can be very useful in cases where radiation therapy to the chest area is needed to avoid radiation doses to the heart.
2. When is DIBH used?
The maximal inspiration breath holding technique is used in specific cases to minimize radiation dose to the heart and lungs. This technique can be applied to:
Breast cancer . Stomach cancer . Lung cancer . Stomach, liver, and biliary tract cancer. Radiation therapy for mediastinal tumors. Because the natural position of the heart can vary greatly from person to person, this technique will be evaluated individually by the radiologist before proceeding.
3. What does DIBH technique mean for patients?
The DIBH technique is the delivery of a suitable dose of radiation while you hold your breath at the maximum inspiratory state to limit radiation to the heart and lungs. The radiation therapy team will train you before the CT simulation and treatment begin. For the DIBH technique, the average required time to hold your breath is 15-20 seconds. The radiation beam will only turn on when you take a deep breath and hold your breath. As you can see in the image below, the heart moves away from the treatment area (indicated by the white box) as the lungs fill with air.
Tim di chuyển khỏi khu vực điều trị khi phổi chứa đầy không khí.
4. Breathing method when performing DIBH technique?
The patient takes the following steps at home to learn the breathing pattern your doctor will need you to perform during treatment:
Lie on your back in bed or on the floor. You can use a head pillow and a heel pillow. Bring your hands up to your head (This position is similar to your treatment position).
5. Next, take a deep breath in through your nose, feeling the air in your lungs and full belly.
7. Repeat 4 - 7 times continuously, focusing on the breath and noticing the movement of the chest and stomach.
Note: Your back should not be lifted off the bed or floor as you inhale deeply. If your back is lifting off the bed you need to take a deeper breath into your belly.
How to keep breathing?
The moment you feel comfortable inhaling and exhaling, practice following the instructions below to hold your breath for about 20 seconds:
8. If you're ready, practice deep breathing and holding breath for a maximum period of 20 seconds.
10. Breathe normally until you get your breath back.
11. When you feel yourself getting your breath back, continue to repeat the process of inhaling and holding your breath in steps 8, 9, 10.
Practice the above breathing a few times per day and try to hold your breath for 20 seconds. Remember to relax, focus on your breathing, and most importantly, do it at your own pace. The radiotherapy team will support and train you before you perform the DIBH technique.
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