When journalist James Nestor kept getting pneumonia, his doctor recommended that he start breathing through his nose. As a fit person who spent his mornings surfing, he thought this was an odd request, but nasal breathing changed his health.
Any sinus doctor in Los Angeles will tell you that inhaling and exhaling through the nose is immensely more effective than breathing through the mouth. Not only is nasal breathing more helpful for delivering oxygen to your lungs, but it also helps filter out toxins.
Your nose is designed to help you breathe safely, efficiently, and properly. It can do this due to its ability to:
- Filter out toxins: The hairs inside your nostrils naturally filter out particles in the air like dust, pollen, and other allergens, keeping them out of your lungs. This is especially helpful if you live in a city with high air pollution like Los Angeles.
- Humidify inhaled air: One of the reasons Nestor was getting pneumonia from the cold sea air was that the mouth does not warm or moisturize the air like your nose does. The air is warmed to body temperature, making it easier for your lungs to use.
- Produce nitric oxide: Nitric oxide is a chemical that helps blood flow by widening the vessels. This chemical is released during nasal breathing.
One of the core issues with mouth breathing is that it typically delivers air into the chest instead of the diaphragm. When you breathe into your chest, you are taking a shallower breath. Like in Nestor’s case, breathing shallow breaths opens up the body to infections like pneumonia. Inhaling through your nose delivers oxygen deep into your diaphragm, which slows down your heart rate and reduces stress.
Little do many know, their breathing problem solution in Los Angeles can be accomplished through this simple technique. Exercising, sleeping, and daily life can all be improved by proper nasal breathing. If you are having trouble breathing through your nose, this can lead to health defects, so you should contact our doctors to try out our in-office nasal breathing solutions.