Become a nasal breather?

[gopher72]

I have the double whammy of being a mouth breather and a side sleeper. My full mask is history. And if the hybrid doesn't work I'm left with no options (correct me if I'm wrong) but to try and become a nasal breather. Have any of you been successful at this transformation? How did you do it? Thanks!

[ChadBSr]

100% yes
Reduce sugar and processed food
Irrigate
Force yourself to use your nose day and night
Breathe low and slow

[Deborah K.]

Lots of people here have trained themselves to nose breathe only by putting their tongues behind their teeth as usual then sucking hard to hold the tongue up against the top of the back of their palate.  I tried, and it did not work for me, but I know many others have succeeded.

[SeePak]

@gopher72

I too am a mouth breather and side sleeper and FFM, full face mask user.

Not sure why you mention 'double whammy' including the side sleeping?

Pretty sure side is the preferred position , though others have done ok with other positions.

I have tried exercises, keep my tongue on roof of mouth. etc. etc.

It still happens during sleep....at times!

I am beginning to see a pattern in my charts.

I have mouth breathing for only short periods during the night.

And i believe this is being caused by some type of airway restriction ( most likely Palatal Prolapse )  that comes up here and there.

The full face mask has been the best, so far, to work for most of the scenarios i personally have for airway restrictions.

I have had success, however, with ALL types of masks, from time to time.

It just depends on what is going on with my airway!

Anatomically, i have many challenges, large tongue, crooked crowded teeth so small mouth area for tongue. Palatal Prolapse.

Just pointing this out to give you some things to think about as you progress with your therapy treatment.

I have also tried mouth taping, and that is a no-no for me due to the Palatal Prolapse. When that occurs, and i fully mouth tape, there is nowhere for the air to go cause i cant exhale properly thru the nose when that happens!!

So i discovered MYOTAPE, which allows 'mouth puffing' when that restriction occurs. ( not used with FFM, only pillows or nasal )

Also, Check out an article about Phenotypes for Sleep Apnea on the internet.

It is very instructive.

[gopher72]

Besides not having to use a full mask, what, if any, are the advantages of being a nasal v a mouth breather when it comes to using CPAP? I am a mouth breathing, side sleeper with a pacemaker with limited mask choices and just wondering if it's worth the effort to try and become a nasal breather. Thank you.

[ChadBSr]

It can reduce AHI up to 50% for starters...

You need to breathe through your nose to get nitric oxide to lubricate your airways and reduce inflammation.

Mouth breathing causes you to over breathe short, shallow, rapid breaths.

Nose breathing uses the diaphragm and your full lung capacity.

Nose breathing filters air.

Nose breathing reduces sickness.

In short... Everything.

[Deborah K.]

Lots of people here have trained themselves to nose breathe only by putting their tongues behind their teeth as usual then sucking hard to hold the tongue up against the top of the back of their palate.  I tried, and it did not work for me, but I know many others have succeeded.

[Sleeprider]

If you want to learn nasal breathing really fast, strap on a nasal pillows mask, turn on the machine and start having a conversation with someone with a great sense of humor. Once you master that skill, sip some water while masked up and if you're feeling really brave, sip a beer. Please post video and report back.

[SeePak]

gopher

You have a couple threads now for mouth breathing, pretty much same.

A moderator/monitor will possibly combine the two?

[OpalRose]

Threads have bern merged.