Asthma, Nasal Problems, Mouth Breathing, Chronic Cough

RISING INCIDENCE OF ASTHMA IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN
Short of breath? Wheezy and struggling to exercise? Blocked nose or copious mucus? Chronic irritable cough? Missing school or work? 

Asthma, nasal problems, allergies  – it’s not just your genes and environment playing a part! 

Faulty breathing patterns are characteristic in asthma

THE LINK WITH YOUR BREATHING PATTERN

Faulty breathing habits commonly underlie these conditions: asthma, hayfever, chronic mouth breathing and chronic nasal problems.  People with these problems characteristically ‘overbreathe’ – either through the mouth or through the nose.  Chronic coughing is a form of overbreathing - it involves high volume breathing. 

Research shows people with asthma breathe 2-3 times more air per minute than is normal.  Physiologic normal is 5 L/min; multiple studies show the average in people with asthma is  around 14 L/min.
Some of the problems with overbreathing / mouth breathing / coughing:
  • large amounts of unfiltered air may be drawn into the airways
  • large and/or forceful out-breaths cause loss of the body’s naturally produced bronchodilator – carbon dioxide
  • dehydration, irritation and inflammation of the  mucous membranes lining the airways 
  • mucus production increases 
  • stimulation of the mast cells to release histamine – the allergic response
  • the nose gets (more) congested
  • airways become more inflamed and in a vicious circle, mouth breathing becomes habitual
  • chronic coughing dries out the mucus, making it sticky and harder to dislodge 
  • chronic mouth breathing is associated with crowded and crooked teeth, narrowing of the upper palate,  compromised airway and sleep disorders.
Overbreathing is often not obvious. For example, breathing faster or through your mouth or with your upper chest while you watch television, work at your desk, or drive your car can easily increase your air intake above what is normal. Breathing 20 times a minute may double your air intake compared to someone breathing a normal 10 breaths per minute.

Relief Through Breathing Retraining

BREATHING RETRAINING ADDRESSES AN  UNDERLYING CAUSE

 Through breathing retraining you can change the way you breathe. 

Breathing retraining helps you identify and undo your often unconscious faulty (‘dysfunctional’) breathing habits and aims to get you back to correct rate and volume of breathing, and nose-diaphragm breathing day and night. You learn to breathe more gently and efficiently. This may:
  • reduce irritation, inflammation and dehydration of your nasal passages, lower airways and lungs
  • reduce inhalation of pollutants, allergens and infective particles
  • prevent excessive loss of your natural bronchodilator (carbon dioxide) and
  • enhance oxygen uptake to every cell in your body (Bohr effect).

Benefits may include clearer nose, easier breathing, more energy, better exercise capacity, feeling calmer, quieter and more restful sleep, and in the longer term, less colds and flus.  Our experience and historic clinical data (1) from working with thousands of people with asthma and nasal problems is that improvements are often reported to begin within the first 24 hours, and significant relief of symptoms reported within 5 days of commencing a comprehensive, in-person, live breathing retraining program. 
           (1) Clinical data-Graham T, Breathing Training Centre, Canberra, Australia 1993-2016.

RESEARCH
At least 20 clinical trials have been conducted on the effects of the Buteyko Method of breathing retraining in the management of asthma and nasal problems. It has been found to be safe and effective in reducing symptoms.

A study conducted through the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, showed a 71% median reduction in symptoms, a 96% median reduction in daily β2‐agonist (bronchodilator) dose, and 49% reduction in daily inhaled steroid use for the group taught the Buteyko Method.  There was a correlation between the amount a person’s breathing volume reduced, and the reduction in the need for asthma relief medication.
The control group had no significant change.
‘Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a controlled trial’.  Bowler SD, Green A, Mitchell CA. MJA. 1988; 169: 575–578.

DISCLAIMER

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