What impact does mouth breathing have on afib/ectopics?

[DaveT81]

I've seen a few bits and pieces around the internet on this, but nothing solid.

I also saw a topic on afibbers about people taping their mouths shut, etc to force nose breathing.

Problem for me is that I have a dysfunctional breathing issue, which I've had for a couple of years and I'm struggling to get on top of. I've had increased ectopics, particularly at night, as the breathing has gotten worse and I do mouth breathe a lot. I'd never really put two and two together.

Also I had a septoplasty and turbinectomy on Tuesday, so there'll be very little nose breathing for me for a few weeks, at least. Sadly, the night time ectopics in particular, have increased massively since Wednesday night.

Any thoughts on the connections between mouth breathing and afib/ectopics?

Thanks

[CDreamer]

Excellent podcast on Dr Chatterjee with all the science behind promoting nasal breathing - makes sense to me & I’ve been practising L,S,D nasal breath for some months - I’ll find the link & post for you - well worth a listen.

The other guy to look at is Patrick Mckeown(?) - the oxygen advantage.

[CDreamer]

drchatterjee.com/why-changi...

James Nestor is a science journalist & his book well worth a read. Look out for how chewing helps reshape palate for those with dysfunctional breathing, SA etc.

If you go to Dr Chatterjee’s Breathing page you will find videos of different advised breathing patterns but essentially Long, Slow & Deep. Reduce breaths to 6/min.

Makes an enormous difference to ectopics & AF & reduces HR - in my experience.

[Adasian in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for sharing videos. Very interesting stuff! I am a firm believer that “ prevention is better than cure“. I for one will practise better breathing techniques! No harm in adding this to my self improvement list, diet, exercise, sleep, and now deep breathing through your nose. Hopefully one day, there will be a better me!🤩🤩 A lady can hope!!😉

[CDreamer]

drchatterjee.com/5-breathin...

Chewing on one side of your mouth promotes rest & digest mode - which is why we were told as children to chew our food well.

Why do we need to relearn this basic stuff? It’s been around for thousands of years.

[DaveT81 in reply to CDreamer]

I know, I find it absolutely crazy how many of these things seem to be a 'recent' problem.

Thanks a lot for these links though CDreamer. I will have a read of these today. I had been practising nose breathing as much as possible myself prior to the surgery but it's impossible right now to nose breathe. I'm hoping against hope it makes a difference once my nose isn't as swollen or sore.

[CDreamer in reply to DaveT81]

I had infection last October which left me with permanently blocked ears and nasal drip. It still keeps returning but I found that the breathing techniques of Patrick McKeown really helped - alternate nasal breathing and holding on out breath and breathing in nitric oxide. Also nasal rinses x 2 daily + steroid nasal spray to reduce swelling. The combination have things just about under control now.

Just found this video of Patrick talking to James Nestor - probably more info and less general chat than on the Chatterjee one.

youtu.be/wl4J2LMXcx8(Not working as expected?)

[KMRobbo in reply to CDreamer]

Good video, I better look further into this!

[David1958 in reply to CDreamer]

I have been using a sinus rinse for a long time now. Must sterilize the water! I nuke it for 3 minutes in the pot and let it cool overnight. It is called a Netipot, but my wife calls it the snotty pot. Sinus infections are a thing of the past now.

[David1958 in reply to CDreamer]

Absolutely fascinating video. I have a hold on the book at my public library. I have been a nose breather mostly, although growing up in the Northeast in upstate NY I had frequent sinus infections until I heard about the Netipot. Like so much in medicine if it does not make any money it gets shoved into a dark corner where nobody will think to look. Same thing with fasting. It is so beneficial to the human body but no doctor will ever tell you to do it.

[Auriculaire in reply to CDreamer]

Because hi tech solutions are the fashion. And basic stuff like a proper diet, good sleep , being out in nature -soaking up the sun, admiring the sunset and listening to birdsong etc do not make profits for industry.

[Physalis]

No-one has mentioned sleep apnoea. Isn't taping the mouth shut a treatment for that?

[CDreamer in reply to Physalis]

It’s mentioned in the video. I use the Oxygen Advantage tape, very comfortable but you can always just use micro tape. Taping stops mouth breathing at night and helps retrain your brain to breath through your nose but some people may need more. I was prescribed CPAP for SA as I had moderate SA but now much improved so don’t use my machine every night or all through the night. I suspect the CPAP has contributed to blocked ears though.

[secondtry]

Hope you feel better soon after your ops.

Currently I am trialling (2 months so far) mouth taping to help improve sleep and get rid of mild sleep apnea. I approach all Lifestyle changes not as miracle cures but as a contribution to a better QOL.

I can recommend James Nestor's book 'Breath' & Patrick McKeowan's videos. Too soon to say if mouth taping is overall beneficial in may case but it is helping my sleep and doesn't appear yet to have any downside effects. I have also discovered from focussing in this area that my left nostril is usually partly blocked whereas the right is usually clear. According to James Nestor's research breathing through the left nostril only calms you & the right nostril alerts you (relates to the parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous systems) - this may explain my general level of anxiety being too high?? Interestingly (to me anyway!), I have also noticed on my daily walks when I employ the advised nasal breathing (slow, light & deep) that my pace speeds up 10% without extra effort, which I put down to the extra oxygen being absorbed.

[DaveT81 in reply to secondtry]

That's really interesting about the breathing through different nostrils. How incredible. I have one of Patrick McKeowan's books already, I believe so I will give it a read and check out more of his videos, as CDreamer posted above. I have noticed when doing nose breathing exercises that I do often feel quite panicked (hopefully that changes after the ops) but I do think it helps with regards the oxygen being absorbed.

[secondtry]

The different nostril functions was in Nestor's book.

[tk5518]

I have AFIB and sleep apnea and I have come to realize that I breath through my mouth at night which causes gasping for air and the inability to get in to a deep sleep. My resmed CPAP machine sends sleep report information to their site and I can view my sleep patterns online. I have always felt that my issues with sleep apnea have caused my heart issues!