Breathing is one of the first activities we perform at birth. Its function is essential, but throughout life different reasons may appear that make it difficult to perform. Breathing well and knowing how to do it is not always easy, so here are some tips to keep in mind.
Symptoms of bad breathing
When we do not breathe well through the nose, in addition to poor nasal breathing, other nasal symptoms such as mucus, decreased smell and sneezing occur. This situation, which provokes the action of breathing through the mouth, can even trigger nocturnal snoring, sinusitis, repeated pharyngeal discomfort and ear problems (serous otitis).
In addition, poor breathing contributes to the worsening of nocturnal apnea and poor sleep quality. The latter also affects our work performance and our quality of life.
Why is it important to breathe through the nose?
After the air passes through the nose, it is conditioned in order to reach the lower parts of the airway. The air is filtered in the nose, where many particles are deposited that can be harmful to our respiratory tree and can even trigger allergic processes.
The air enters the nose at room temperature, which as you know is very cold in the winter months. To get the air to rise to body temperature, the mucosa of the nasal turbinates is essential, which as we have already said is very rich in blood vessels and the temperature of these vessels is what makes the air warm.
In addition, the air in the nose is humidified to avoid damaging the pharynx and the lower airway. When for some reason this normal or physiological mechanism of nasal breathing is altered and we breathe through the mouth, none of these functions are achieved, so the air would pass into our lungs at a cold and unmoisturized temperature giving rise to other diseases.
Otolaryngology specialists consider it essential to breathe through the nose, since the penetration of cold, dry air through the mouth, as happens on cold winter days, can aggravate or trigger a bronchospasm (contraction of the muscles surrounding the bronchi) causing shortness of breath in the lungs (dyspnea).
What can I do to breathe better through my nose?
Hygienic measures as simple as nasal washes or traditional nasal vaping help to keep the mucosa of the nasal cavity clean of allergens (allergy triggering particles) and irritants, so it will develop its function better and we can avoid the need to take medication.