Why is Nasal Breathing Important?

If you suffer from nasal congestion or other issues that make it difficult to breathe through your nose, you may not believe it is a big concern. After all, you can breathe efficiently through your mouth and it can seem natural if you have a long history of nasal congestion. While you can survive breathing through your mouth, nasal breathing is better for your body. Here is why nasal breathing is important to your health.

Moist, Filtered Air

Your nose is designed for breathing and nasal breathing is how newborns first learn to breathe. The nasal passage and turbinates swirl the air and add moisture while filtering out contaminates. The nose is designed to deliver moist, filtered air that is ideal for the exchange of oxygen, the main reason for breathing.

Regulate Heart Rate

Slower, measured breaths that are used with nasal breathing can help regulate and lower the heart rate. This can help improve cardiovascular health.

Mouth Breathing Activates Stress Hormones

The body is designed to breathe through the nose. Breathing through the mouth is reserved for emergency survival situations and can trigger stress hormones like cortisol. Nasal breathing can reduce the amount of adrenaline and cortisol released, which can lower risks of blood sugar and degenerative issues caused by these hormones.

For those who tend to breathe through their mouths due to nasal congestion, it is worthwhile to see a sinus specialist to determine the best treatment to restore nasal breathing. When medications are ineffective, there are minimally-invasive options like balloon sinuplasty or turbinate reduction surgery that may be effective in restoring nasal breathing. Not only can it improve your health, it can permanently reduce nasal congestion and sinus pressure for more comfort.

Posted on behalf of:
New York Sinusitis Treatment
Columbus Circle Office
200 W. 57th Street Suite 1410
New York, NY 10019
(212)784-6643

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