How Your Breathing is Damaging Your Health | James Nestor - MP Podcast #116

TL;DR

Learn how certain breathing exercises, mouth workouts, and free diving can help alleviate sleep apnea and improve overall health.

Transcript

so first of all you have to figure out where that that's occurring and then you have to consider that we have a muscle tube it's cartilage and muscle and tissues right here in our throats right we need to be working this out as well and by working out that too but you can expand it and you can actually reduce and sometimes reverse your sleep apnea ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😪 Sleep apnea affects a significant portion of the population and can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
• 😪 Sleep apnea is not solely caused by obesity; even individuals who are fit and healthy can suffer from sleep apnea.
• 💪 Working out the throat muscles and improving oral posture through mouth exercises can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.
• 😪 Breathing exercises and nasal breathing can positively impact sleep apnea and overall breathing health.
• 🥶 Free diving provides a unique and meditative experience that connects individuals with the ocean and activates ancient mammalian dive reflexes.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can sleep apnea be caused by factors other than obesity?

Yes, sleep apnea can occur in individuals of any weight, even ultra-marathoners and weightlifters. The problem can occur in various areas of the airway, such as the tongue falling back or problems with the oral pharynx or nasopharynx.

Q: How can mouth workouts help reduce sleep apnea?

Oral pharyngeal exercises, which involve working out the tongue and muscles in the throat, can help expand the airway and reduce sleep apnea symptoms. By improving oral posture and proper tongue placement, individuals can improve their breathing and reduce sleep apnea.

Q: Is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) the best solution for sleep apnea?

While CPAP can be helpful as a temporary solution, it only acts as a band-aid and does not address the core issue of sleep apnea. It is important to get a proper diagnosis and consider other treatments, such as oral pharyngeal exercises or surgery, to effectively fix sleep apnea.

Q: How can breathing exercises and nasal breathing improve sleep apnea symptoms?

Breathing exercises, specifically practicing slow and fluid breathing through the nose, can help improve sleep apnea by reducing hyperventilation and helping individuals control their breathing patterns. Nasal breathing can facilitate better air filtration and conditioning, leading to improved sleep quality.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sleep apnea affects approximately 20% of the population and can lead to various chronic health problems if left untreated.

• Sleep apnea is not exclusive to obese individuals; even healthy and fit individuals can suffer from it.

• Working out the muscles in the throat can help reduce and even reverse sleep apnea.

• Breathing exercises, oral pharyngeal exercises, and proper oral posture can all contribute to the improvement of sleep apnea symptoms.

• Free diving, a deep diving technique using ancient mammalian dive reflexes, has a transcendent and meditative effect and can help connect with oneself and the ocean.