More Info:
Asthma, Allergies &
a Blocked Nose
Breathing badly is most likely going to affect the respiratory system first, and so many people who have hidden hyperventilation will have a narrowing or obstruction somewhere in the airway, or an increased mucus production. This could give you symptoms anywhere in the nose, throat, or lungs. A blocked or running nose may be your only symptom, or it may deteriorate to hay fever, chronic allergic rhinitis, asthma or obstruction in the throat.
Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation or over-breathing means breathing more air than your body needs at a particular time. Examples of hyperventilation include breathing through your mouth whilst driving a car or watching television. Not many people pay attention to their breathing and few people with asthma would consider that they are breathing too much air because they often feel breathless. Eating food satisfies hunger, but over-eating creates health issues, and breathing is the same. Breathing the correct amount of air leaves you feeling satisfied, but over-breathing creates problems, and one of these is that while a normal amount of oxygen finds its way into the bloodstream, less of it is delivered to the tissue cells (Bohr effect). Breathing too much air also cools and dries the airways, making them swollen, irritated and extra sensitive to triggers.
"I have been very impressed with the benefit to me with the Buteyko technique. Also the continuous support when I wanted advice. I had been on medication (relievers and preventers) for over 10 years since I was found to have had the disorder. My asthma did not trouble me significantly, and I took the course because I wanted to give up having drug treatment. After two months I was off all medication and tapered off and stopped the exercises a few weeks later.
One thing that really impresses me is that on the infrequent occasions when I feel uncomfortably 'tight' in my chest one double set of exercises gives me adequate relief at once, equal or better than the benefit I got from using drugs in the past."
Dr N.J. Prichard