Check out Patrick Mckeown - Close your mouth whilst breathing!

[Oscarmartin]

For anyone reading this, this a suggestion based on my personal experience.

If you haven’t already check out Patrick Mckeown and his research and findings into nose breathing and it’s relation to asthma. He has a really interesting and helpful book called ‘Close your mouth’ - which outlines breathing techniques in order to manage and significantly reduce asthma symptoms.

Personally this has massively helped me cope with my symptoms and realise that I was a mouth breather and this was not doing me any favours. He has loads of content on YouTube and his website is: buteykoclinic.com.

A great place to start is ‘Ben Coombers Radio’ podcast on Spotify episode 599 called ‘Less oxygen is better’ (it’s near the top) he interviews Patrick Mckeown and he goes over everything high level so easy to understand.

Hope this can help someone like it helped me.

Ta-ra!

***adding Lysistrata's advice to this***

'Very glad to hear it's helped! For anyone else reading though, perhaps be careful with the taping at night. It can be fine for some people but some physios I have met, while all for learning nasal breathing, are less keen on the mouth taping for people with established respiratory problems. It probably isn't ideal especially if you also have ongoing sinus/nasal issues blocking your nose.

Anyone considering this should probably check with someone knowledgeable who knows your medical situation about the taping and whether it's suitable for you. '

[juneflo53]

I came across the Buteyko method whilst searching for help. I had a really dry mouth and was told I was using my mouth not nose to breath in! Sounds simple but when gasping for air you don't notice. I think anything that helps us be aware of how we breathe is good. Asthma UK site is good too for information and tips - eg taking inhalers correctly. I know one of the Asthma nurses have posted on this on here. The Buteyko method seems very simple but it does work. Another tip i've found is when going upstairs, keep your head straight - not up and breathe through nose steadily. If you get out of breath, tip your chin down, take a big breath in and 10 short push breaths out. That's worked for me too.

[Celie1]

👍I have also followed Patrick Mckeown,after listening to a podcast he did with Dr Rangan Chatterjee. I use his breathing dvd most mornings and it has really helped me with regaining a normal breathing pattern through nose breathing.

[478breath]

I totally agree that Patrick McKeown is the man to follow. I found his YouTube Coronavirus breathing exercises when I was at my wits end when my asthma returned after 25 years. I was astonished to realise the huge benefit of nasal breathing. All my childhood I was told to take big breaths through my mouth by my Dr. I also tape my mouth at night and my wheezy chest and coughing have stopped, I sleep well for the first time in years. His short breath hold method helps to stop asthma and coughing

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to 478breath]

Very glad to hear it's helped! For anyone else reading though, perhaps be careful with the taping at night. It can be fine for some people but some physios I have met, while all for learning nasal breathing, are less keen on the mouth taping for people with established respiratory problems. It probably isn't ideal especially if you also have ongoing sinus/nasal issues blocking your nose.

Anyone considering this should probably check with someone knowledgeable who knows your medical situation about the taping and whether it's suitable for you.

[478breath in reply to Lysistrata]

Very wise words and many thanks for clarifying that point, methods are not appropriate for all etc For my part Patrick McKeowns Nose Unblocking Exercises and Nasal Rinse addressed my permanently blocked nose caused by mouth breathing , very effective .