MADRID, Feb. 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –
‘Mouth taping’, one of the most recent viral trends on social networks promoted by athletes and ‘influencers’, which consists of covering the mouth with tape to force oneself to breathe only through the nose, can end up being dangerous, even leading to hypoxia , according to experts from the European University.
“In addition to causing anxiety and general discomfort,” the professor at the European University of Madrid and specialist in Respiratory Physiotherapy, Marta de la Plaza San Frutos, warns that restricting the entry of air “can increase respiratory resistance and make breathing difficult.” , especially doing it on one’s own without knowing if there is any anatomical blockage in the nasal cavity.
Specifically, ‘mouth taping’ is within the Buteyko method, which consists of a series of techniques, aimed at asthmatic patients or hyperventilators, that help to re-educate the respiratory rate through apnea pauses or control to reduce hyperventilation, frequently due to oral respiration.
In this way, its objective is to change the patient’s respiratory pattern, modifying their PH and eliminating bronchospasm. However, from the European University, they specify that this theory, despite being supported by a part of the medical community, needs more evidence to corroborate it.
The Respiratory Physiotherapy expert explains that “breathing through the mouth or oral tends to be more superficial and less efficient in filtering and humidifying the inhaled air compared to nasal breathing.”
NASAL BREATHING IN SPORTS
In this way, Dr. de la Plaza adds that when exercising, “it is important to breathe through the nose since it helps maintain a higher concentration of nitric oxide in the body, a gas molecule produced in the nasal cavity and that acts as a powerful vasodilator, improving blood flow and with it, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all tissues, including muscles.
“Then, in strength sports such as weight lifting, for example, it is recommended to have correct respiratory control between efforts in order to stabilize the lumbar spine and increase concentration in each of the exercises,” emphasizes the doctor from Square.
Finally, the expert defends that learning to breathe correctly and using respiratory techniques such as yoga (pranayamas), diaphragmatic abdominal breathing or the Wim Hof method can have a very positive impact on physical health in addition to producing relaxation and well-being.
