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Many people sometimes breathe through their mouth. Under normal circumstances, our body is made to breathe through the nose, but on some occasions people start using the mouth instead of the nose. This is called mouth breathing. This happens when the nose remains blocked, due to cold, allergy or sinus, the passage of air gets blocked. In some people this habit persists since childhood. When the nose cannot get enough air, the body uses the mouth as an emergency option to deliver air immediately. If this habit occurs frequently or persists, then it is not normal. Let us know about this.
mouth breathing If it happens only occasionally, it is not considered a big threat, because it happens as per the immediate need of the body. But if a person is continuously breathing through the mouth throughout the day or even while sleeping at night, then it is not good for the body. Some of its signs start appearing gradually, such as frequent dry throat, early fatigue, bad breath, worsening sleep pattern, change in facial shape in children and heaviness or pain in the head after waking up in the morning. Many people do not even realize that they are breathing through their mouth at night. If this problem persists on a daily basis, it should not be ignored.
Does mouth breathing affect the lungs?
Dr. Ajit Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Delhi. It is said that breathing through the mouth can affect the lungs. The nose acts as a natural filter. The nose filters the air, warms it and supplies it with adequate moisture to the lungs, but when someone breathes through the mouth, the air goes directly to the lungs unfiltered, unheated and without moisture.
In such air, dust, particles and disease-causing germs go directly inside. This increases irritation in the respiratory tubes and in the long run increases the chances of persistent cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing and frequent infections. For people who suffer from asthma or allergies, the habit of breathing through the mouth can cause more harm. That is why it is not right to leave it as a normal habit.
how to protect
In case of blocked nose, take steam of hot water.
Keep the pillow a little higher while sleeping.
If you have allergy or sinus problem, definitely get checked by a doctor.
Drink enough water so that the throat does not dry out.