There are many everyday bodily functions that are so routine and involuntary, people give them very little to no thought throughout the day. Breathing is one of these functions. People breathe nearly every single moment of their lives, both while they are awake and sleeping. It seems like it should be something that should rarely ever be given any thought, however, the truth is, many people are breathing improperly in their lives. This can occur during sleep quite commonly, a time when proper breathing is crucial. Those who are seeking better breathing at all times in their life can practice various body breathing exercises for stress, relaxtation, and even weight loss and also use various breathing devices.
Smoking is perhaps the greatest detriment to healthy breathing. Respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis result in 150,000 to 300,000 children under the age of 18 from second hand smoke. Of these children, between 7,500 and 15,000 must be hospitalized. Each year, there are about 3,000 deaths from lung disease that are caused by secondhand smoke exposure.
Disorders such as sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing several times throughout the night if left untreated. For mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, there are prescription devices that pull the lower jaw forward can relieve snoring that can be effective, according to Dr. Barbara Phillips, a sleep specialist at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a board member of the National Sleep Foundation. If a person has been unsuccessfully using positive airway pressure ventilation after a sleep study, they are prescribed nasal oxygen for night time use. However, this should only be used in cases of oxygen saturation of 94 percent or less, because the non judicious use of oxygen may cause brain damage.
Proper breathing techniques can lead individuals to seeing greater overall health in their lives. To increase diaphragm movement and lung ventilation, people can practice various breathing exercises. Those who are looking for assistance for improving breathing in addition to breathing exercises can also use specially designed breathing devices.