How do I retrain myself to breathe through my nose? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Stompy · 05-11-2007, 05:37 AM

My whole life, for some reason, I've breathed through my mouth.

It's *really* uncomfortable for me to breathe through my nose, like it's restricting the air I can get. If someone were to say, "Here, breathe through your nose for 10 minutes straight," I could prob do it but it'd be very hard.

I'm starting to get really annoyed with sleeping because I always wake up with the driest mouth and throat (even though I have a humidifier).

Is there a way I can train my body to breathe through my nose? I'm not even sure why I don't. The only thing I could think of is I used to have ear infections as a baby (which is typically connected to some nasal issue), so naturally I suppose I resorted to the mouth.

ubertuber · 05-11-2007, 06:12 AM

I have a similar thing - I think my nasal passages are chronically inflamed. Breathing through my nose for long periods of time just doesn't cut it. I definitely can't sleep that way either. I just have to keep a glass of water next to the bed for the inevitable drymouth.

Kalibah · 05-12-2007, 12:00 AM

This doesn't really answer your question but you said that its uncomfortable to breath through your nose so... you could have a deviated septum...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deviated_septum

Is it easier to breath out of one nostril over the other - say right after a cold or whatever when your 'draining'?

thingstodo · 05-13-2007, 03:26 AM

Man, I would go see a doctor about that. The air you breath doesn't get filtered through your mouth. Also, it never gets warmed, either. Plus, I think that makes your heart rate higher. I know when working out I can see my rate drop on the monitor when I breath in my nose and out my mouth. Could be that it's just slowing down though.

tenniels · 05-13-2007, 05:14 PM

I have the same problem, I'm a mouth breather. I did see and ENT specialist (Ears, Nose, Throat) and was told I just have a really small nasal passage, although I do wonder about the deviated septum thing. I can breath through my nose if I sit and make a conscious effort, but I don't get enough air and eventually take a big gulp through my mouth. It feels like the air from my nose (when I breath through my nose) isn't filling my lungs, or even going to them and I feel like I'm suffocating. I am sorry I don't have any advice, but at least you know you're not the only one

Smooth23 · 05-15-2007, 12:29 PM

I'm also a chronic mouth breather. What has helped for me is excersise. Still have a problem waking up with dry mouth, but its much better and I can breath alright all day

tenniels · 05-15-2007, 07:44 PM

Haha good ol mouth breather dry mouth. You know what the worst was? When I had my braces taken off in grade 7 they gave me a retainer to wear at night. That thing dried my fucking mouth out sooo bad and got uber uncomfortable, needless to say, it didn't get worn very often

I actually don't have too much of a problem with it without the retainer, but when it's extremely dry or something it may be worse. Water by the bed is always a good idea. I keep a water bottle becaue I always end up knocking over the glass of water when reaching for the phone or to throw the alarm clock hehe.

Plan9 · 06-09-2007, 09:20 PM

Try running while holding water in your mouth. Tell yourself that the water WILL not be swallowed regardless of how hard you are breathing.

That worked out pretty good for some of my guys at Bragg who were total mouthbreathers.

05-11-2007, 05:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	How do I retrain myself to breathe through my nose? My whole life, for some reason, I've breathed through my mouth. It's really uncomfortable for me to breathe through my nose, like it's restricting the air I can get. If someone were to say, "Here, breathe through your nose for 10 minutes straight," I could prob do it but it'd be very hard. I'm starting to get really annoyed with sleeping because I always wake up with the driest mouth and throat (even though I have a humidifier). Is there a way I can train my body to breathe through my nose? I'm not even sure why I don't. The only thing I could think of is I used to have ear infections as a baby (which is typically connected to some nasal issue), so naturally I suppose I resorted to the mouth. __________________ I love lamp.

05-11-2007, 06:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	I have a similar thing - I think my nasal passages are chronically inflamed. Breathing through my nose for long periods of time just doesn't cut it. I definitely can't sleep that way either. I just have to keep a glass of water next to the bed for the inevitable drymouth. __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

05-13-2007, 03:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Man, I would go see a doctor about that. The air you breath doesn't get filtered through your mouth. Also, it never gets warmed, either. Plus, I think that makes your heart rate higher. I know when working out I can see my rate drop on the monitor when I breath in my nose and out my mouth. Could be that it's just slowing down though. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

05-13-2007, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
tenniels Insane Location: Oh Canada!!	I have the same problem, I'm a mouth breather. I did see and ENT specialist (Ears, Nose, Throat) and was told I just have a really small nasal passage, although I do wonder about the deviated septum thing. I can breath through my nose if I sit and make a conscious effort, but I don't get enough air and eventually take a big gulp through my mouth. It feels like the air from my nose (when I breath through my nose) isn't filling my lungs, or even going to them and I feel like I'm suffocating. I am sorry I don't have any advice, but at least you know you're not the only one __________________ I like things. And stuff. But I prefer to have things over stuff.

05-15-2007, 07:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
tenniels Insane Location: Oh Canada!!	Haha good ol mouth breather dry mouth. You know what the worst was? When I had my braces taken off in grade 7 they gave me a retainer to wear at night. That thing dried my fucking mouth out sooo bad and got uber uncomfortable, needless to say, it didn't get worn very often I actually don't have too much of a problem with it without the retainer, but when it's extremely dry or something it may be worse. Water by the bed is always a good idea. I keep a water bottle becaue I always end up knocking over the glass of water when reaching for the phone or to throw the alarm clock hehe. __________________ I like things. And stuff. But I prefer to have things over stuff.

05-12-2007, 12:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kalibah Insane Location: Padded Playhouse	This doesn't really answer your question but you said that its uncomfortable to breath through your nose so... you could have a deviated septum... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deviated_septum Is it easier to breath out of one nostril over the other - say right after a cold or whatever when your 'draining'?

05-15-2007, 12:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Smooth23 Tilted	I'm also a chronic mouth breather. What has helped for me is excersise. Still have a problem waking up with dry mouth, but its much better and I can breath alright all day

06-09-2007, 09:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Try running while holding water in your mouth. Tell yourself that the water WILL not be swallowed regardless of how hard you are breathing. That worked out pretty good for some of my guys at Bragg who were total mouthbreathers. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."