Breathing through mouths can lead to blocked noses and sinus pain, study finds
Blocked noses (64%), sinus pain (31%), and struggling to fall asleep (30%) are all likely consequences – of breathing through your mouth, rather than your nose, a study has found.
Other top symptoms of nasal congestion that Brits regularly experience include runny noses (33%), difficulty breathing (31%), and being kept awake at night (38%) – which in turn leads to 28% feeling tired throughout the day.
And a survey of 2,000 adults revealed that these common congestion symptoms are twice as likely to affect those who breathe through their mouths – 31%, compared to just 15% of nose-breathers who feel bunged up regularly.
Despite this, more than one in 10 adults (13%) are “mouth breathers”, with this figure rising to 18% of respondents while they are asleep.
And perhaps unsurprisingly, only 56% of those who breathe through their mouths claim their quality of sleep is good – compared to 68% of those who predominantly breathe through their nose.
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Those who breathe through their mouths are twice as likely to suffer regular nasal congestion, compared to breathing through their noses (Paul Bradbury/Getty Images)The study was commissioned by Olbas, which has teamed up with Dr Roger Henderson, a GP of over 30 years, who said: “Breathing through your mouth can cause several health issues, compared to when you breathe more healthily through your nose.
“Mouth breathing can cause less oxygen to be delivered to the body, and one of the problems this can cause is disturbed sleep, and increased daytime fatigue and tiredness.
“It also causes the mouth to dry out, which in turn increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. There may also be an increased risk of upper airway infections, as well as inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids.
“Nasal obstruction is a common reason for mouth breathing, often caused by nasal allergies or enlarged adenoids.”
Nasal sprays, steam inhalation, and decongestants are the most popular remedies people are turning to as they attempt to relieve their congestion, according to the research, conducted via OnePoll.
And Dr Roger Henderson added: “To help reduce mouth breathing and nasal congestion, use a saline spray or nasal decongestant, and sleep on your back with an extra pillow to prop up your head, and help promote nasal breathing.
“Try to keep your house as free of allergens as possible, and consciously practice breathing through your nose during the day, to help train yourself into a habit of nasal breathing.”
Claire Campbell, from Olbas, said: “It’s clear that breathing through your mouth is causing Brits more issues when it comes to nasal congestion.
“This, in turn, is having a detrimental impact on their day-to-day life, as they struggle with health conditions. This is why we developed our range with a mixture of plant oils, to help unblock stuffy and congested noses.”
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