Why is mouth breathing harmful, especially in cold weather? The doctor named the consequences of the habit

Breathing is such an everyday and natural process that it is rarely given serious consideration. Paradoxically, it is easy to make mistakes, such as breathing through the mouth all the time. This can have health consequences.

LabQuest’s medical director, Ph.

“I will tell you why it is so important to breathe through the nose and what consequences mouth breathing leads to in children and adults.”

Reasons for mouth breathing

The nasal cavity has several important functions that make it an indispensable component of the proper functioning of the respiratory system.

Air inhaled through the nose encounters a lot of resistance – this improves the functioning of the lungs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm, promoting proper breathing. In addition, nasal breathing cleans, moisturizes and warms the inhaled air and enriches it with nitric oxide, which allows for better oxygen absorption in the lungs and the body as a whole.

Of course, there are situations when a person is forced to breathe through the mouth. This can be a consequence of:

• trauma;
• anatomical defects;
• deviated septum;
• polyps;
• inflammation of the tonsils of the lymphopharyngeal ring, especially the adenoid tonsils;
• sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane);
• malformations;
• complications from taking vasoconstrictor medications;
• nasopharyngeal tumors;
• foreign bodies;
• allergic or vasomotor rhinitis.

Symptoms

• Difficult nasal breathing;
• impaired sense of smell;
• nasal discharge;
• narrowing or curvature;
• disturbance in the timbre of speech;
• nasality of the voice.

Consequences of mouth breathing in children and adults

Breathing through the mouth not only interferes with air filtration, but also contributes to infections in the mouth and respiratory system, which can cause dental problems, hoarseness of voice, and increase the risk of acute respiratory viral infection (ARI). And also increase the risk of allergic reactions and asthma exacerbations as allergens gain direct access to the body.

Change of bite

Parents need to be especially attentive. Adenoids in children often become the cause of nasal breathing disorders. If you do not treat the pathological increase in tonsils, children begin to breathe with their mouth constantly, which eventually leads to a change in the bite, the position of the tongue, lips and even deformation of the bones of the face.

Sleep disturbance

In addition, a violation of nasal breathing at the age of three to five years can provoke problems with concentration and sleep.

Adults are not immune to the disorder either. Constant breathing through the mouth can also cause them problems with attention, as well as changes in sensitivity to odors and taste. This is due to changes in the microbiome of the oral cavity and lower respiratory tract.

Stomach problems

The effect of breathing through the mouth on the gastrointestinal tract is worth dwelling on in more detail. With this method of breathing, it is not uncommon to experience dryness in the mouth and pharynx. This is not just discomfort: so reduces the efficiency of the salivary glands. And saliva, in turn, plays a crucial role in the initial stages of digestion.

If it is lacking, chewing and swallowing are difficult, and as a result, food enters the stomach without sufficient pre-processing, which directly affects the efficiency of digestion and assimilation of food.

In addition, breathing through the mouth can cause a person to swallow too much air. This often causes increased gas formation in the stomach and intestines, which provokes bloating and other, not very aesthetic consequences in the form of flatulence.

Lung diseases

All the above-mentioned harm from breathing through the mouth is repeatedly worsened in winter conditions. Cold air much more strongly irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and reduces its protective properties.

We can not forget and hypothermia of the lungs and bronchi, leading to their inflammation. Such a condition makes breathing even more difficult. Among other things, when inhaling cold air can be observed spasm of the coronary arteries, which is especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease.

Stops breathing in sleep

A developed habit of breathing through the mouth is often associated with nocturnal apnea – periodic breathing stops in sleep. When breathing through the mouth, the tongue and soft tissues of the upper respiratory tract are more likely to “collapse” and block the flow of air. A person usually learns about the presence of the problem from loved ones, since it is often accompanied by snoring.

This not only disturbs the sleep of others, but also interferes with the snorer himself, reducing the quality of his rest – in the long run, the cumulative effect increases the risk of neurophysiological disorders. They are manifested by headaches, “broken” state, daytime sleepiness and reduced efficiency.

Treatment

To correct the problem of breathing through the mouth, it is important to consult a doctor who will help to identify the cause of the violation and prescribe treatment. For example, for children there are special training exercises and gymnastics to teach them to breathe through the nose. There are their own methods for adults.

Treatment depends on the cause. Polyps, tumors, congenital disorders or post-traumatic, foreign bodies – decide surgically. In the case of allergic rhinitis – determine the cause of the allergen and select therapy and regimen.

Problems with tonsils and sinuses are managed by an ENT doctor, timely identifying the infectious cause and carrying out measures to improve the outflow from the sinuses or reduce the size of tonsils, up to the decision on surgical intervention.

Prevention of problems associated with improper breathing begins in childhood, with regular check-ups at the ENT, dentist and pediatrician. In addition, parents should teach their children how to breathe properly and instill a culture of oral and nasal health.