Does mouth breathing affect the lungs? Know today:

Posts

Some people sometimes breathe through the mouth instead of the nose. Normally, our body is designed to breathe through the nose, as the nose filters out dust, germs and other particles present in the air. But when our nose is blocked, we have a cold or allergies, or our sinuses are blocked, people start breathing through the mouth. Initially, this is a natural reaction to meet the body’s immediate needs, but if this habit continues repeatedly or for a long time, it can be harmful to our health.

Dr. Ajit Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Delhi, says that the habit of breathing through the mouth can have a negative impact on the lungs. The nose is not only a way to get oxygen from the air, but it also acts as a natural filter—removing dust from the air, humidifying and warming the air and delivering it to the lungs. When a person breathes through the mouth, this process is blocked and unfiltered, cold and dry air enters the lungs directly.

This causes irritation and inflammation in the airways, which can lead to persistent cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, and frequent respiratory infections. This condition can be especially harmful for people suffering from asthma or allergies. Problems like dry throat, headache and fatigue in the morning are common among mouth breathers.

How can this be stopped?

If your nose is blocked, take hot water steam to keep your nose clear.

While sleeping, keep the pillow a little higher, so that breathing becomes easier.

If you have allergies, sinus or other respiratory problems, consult a specialist doctor.

Drink enough water throughout the day so that your throat does not dry out.

Nasal breathing is not only natural, but also safe for the body. Therefore, if you have a habit of frequent mouth breathing, it is very important to find out its cause and get proper treatment.