Breathing is described as an alternating action. We are actively inhaling air into the lungs which is followed by a passive exhalation of the air. During an inhalation our diaphragm and intercostal muscles will contract allowing the chest cavity to enlarge and draw air into the lungs. During an exhalation these muscles relax and air is forced out of the lungs.
It all happens automatically
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Healthy breathing is an involuntary action which gets adjusted automatically by the body to maintain a normal gas exchange. The coordination of ventilation occurs in our ‘breathing control centre’ (medulla and pons of the brainstem) sending a constant supply of information to make fine adjustments to maintain adequate ventilation.
You don’t have to think about breathing in and out, it just happens. Normal breathing is rhythmic and effortless. The resting ventilation rate in adults is between 8 and 12 breaths per minute. Do you fit into this category or do you chronically breathe too much and hyperventilate? Your oxygen supply to the the brain is compromised if you hyperventilate. |
Over-breathing / hyperventilation affects the oxygen supply to the brain as shown in this MRI scan.
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Normal Breathing
- The image of the brain to the left shows the highest oxygen levels in the yellow colour areas. Hyperventilation - To the right we see the result of low oxygen levels [reduced by 40%] after one minute of hyperventilation reflecting in the darker blue colour. (Source Litchfield 1999) |
Symptoms of over-breathing |
We are breathing around 20,000 times a day which is quite a lot if we think about it. If we adopt unhealthy breathing patterns or habits and hold on to them over months and years our body will eventually 'complain and send us a message.
As a result we might be presented with symptoms like a chronically blocked nose, wheezing, chest tightness (asthma), attacks of anxiety/panic, sleep problems, allergies, hay fever or struggle with fatigue. |
Our breathing should be quiet and calm during our daily activities. Audible breathing indicates hyperventilation (over-breathing).
Noisy breathing and snoring during the night is not healthy. Snoring goes along with breathing too much air.
Do you notice mouth breathing rather than nose breathing? Mouth breathing is changing the pH value in our mouth encouraging bacteria growth and gum disease.
Noisy breathing and snoring during the night is not healthy. Snoring goes along with breathing too much air.
Do you notice mouth breathing rather than nose breathing? Mouth breathing is changing the pH value in our mouth encouraging bacteria growth and gum disease.
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Chronic hyperventilation and over-breathing will reset our healthy breathing parameters which will create health problems over time.
Learning and applying the Buteyko breathing technique provides you with a drug free tool to adjust your breathing rate and volume. Be in control of your symptoms |
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