A lot of people, including health care professionals, are unaware of the problems associated with mouth breathing, but studies have shown that it can cause major issues for your health. In my own investigations, I have discovered that mouth breathing is an easily overlooked cause of many problems, especially when it comes to sleep disorders.  Mouth breathing is typically caused by an inability to breathe through the nose, whether the obstruction is temporary (as with allergies during pollen season) or more long-term because of a chronic infection or anatomical issue. If you’re a mouth breather you should know that it can cause hypocapnia if you tend to breathe in too deeply or breathe out too quickly. Hypocapnia is a state of reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.

Among other functions, carbon dioxide regulates the pH in the blood. Without enough CO2 the body becomes too alkaline. Symptoms can include anxiety, visual problems, muscle cramping, panic attacks and dizziness. You can even pass out if your CO2 levels get too low (that’s what happens when you hyperventilate).

It turns out that though hypocapnia may be an extreme consequence of mouth breathing, it’s by no means the only risk. There are numerous health concerns associated with this habit, for both children and adults.  

For me, having been a practitioner of yoga for many years, I find this news about mouth breathing especially interesting. The ancient yogic tradition maintains that you should only breathe through your nose because the prana (a.k.a. life force) that animates all life can only be inspired through nose breathing.

Check out Somastruct for more info on mouth breathing and the health concerns linked to it.

Author: Vic Love, www.Fb.com/Vityalove