Breathing is an autonomic body function we do without thinking, but there's evidence that supports better breathing for better health. | Pexels/Darina
Breathing is an autonomic body function we do without thinking, but there's evidence that supports better breathing for better health. | Pexels/Darina
The benefits of good breathing are well known, and chronic sinusitis symptoms that include nasal congestion or obstruction can interfere with a person's health.
Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers has been promoting the benefits of strong and clear breathing and how sinusitis can interfere with one's health.
Diana Ruiloba, a physician assistant at Arizona Breathe Free who specializes in ear, nose and throat, has experience in regenerative medicine, plastic surgery and preventative care.
Diana Ruiloba
| Arizona Breathe Free
An inflammation of the sinus cavities, chronic sinusitis symptoms that include nasal congestion or obstruction, can interfere with normal daily living.
“Sinusitis can impact quality of life in many ways,” Ruiloba told SE Valley Times. “It can impact life from a sleep standpoint. If you are not breathing well, you are not sleeping well; if you are not sleeping well, you are not able to perform daily tasks to your best potential.”
Data from the Frontiers of Neuroscience journal shows that slow breathing techniques can have a major effect on stress, anxiety and depression.
Normally, certain breathing exercises may help people fall asleep and sleep deeper. Based on an ancient yogic practice of controlled breathing, the 4-7-8 technique, as it is known, is a type of “mindful breathing” for stress reduction and relaxation, according to WebMD. The 4-7-8 breathing technique requires “breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds and exhaling for 8 seconds,” according to Medical News Today.
“One of the negative side effects of stress can be trouble sleeping,” WebMD said. “It can be almost impossible to fall asleep when your body is caught up in the stress response. Practicing deep, slow breathing techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing, can trigger your body's relaxation response and help you get to sleep.”
According to Healthline, taking a more proactive and intuitive approach to breathing can be beneficial to health and increase endurance. But what should you do when inflammation of the sinuses prevents normal breathing? You don't have to just live with it. You can choose to see an ENT specialist when nasal inflammation or sinus allergies impact your daily life and your ability to breathe.
We encourage our readers to learn more about their sinuses by taking this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
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