Can the way you breathe unblock your nose? A Doctor Explains.

In this video I am going to explain how breathing exercises (specifically hypoventilation) can unblock your nose and also help reduce an asthma wheeze.
NEWSLETTER
If you would like more information, news and have access to various devices I give away for free, please sign up to my Newsletter. Click on the link below.
cheerful-knitter-8774.ck.page...
SNOREDOCTOR APP
This is my new app that helps people record and analyse their snoring at night. It is completely free (no ads, no paywalls, no personal data is collected). Please use the links below:
Android playstore link - play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Apple App Store
apps.apple.com/gb/app/snore-d...
CHARITY NFTs
I am going to start making a collection of NFTs about environmental projects I am passionate about. They aren't for sale yet, but once I have a few I will put them on the blockchain. All profits will be donated to charities. This first one is about plastic in the sea, and I will find a charity that will accept a crypto donation. I will also make a video one day explaining the benefits of NFTs. It also gives me a chance to flex some artistic brain cells I haven't used in many many years.
opensea.io/assets/0x495f94727...
** Disclaimer - The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. **
AFFILIATE LINKS
These are links to amazon products. If you click on a link below then you will be directed to the Amazon product in question. If you then went on to buy the product, Amazon will provide me with a small commission (or finder's fee), which will not cost you anything. I will also not be able to collect any of your personal data, and the process will be beyond my influence. If you have questions about this arrangement please see the amazon page about this system. amazon-affiliate.eu/en/about-...
Camera kit
Canon EOS M6 Mark II - amzn.to/2KQjQPF
Canon 50mm F1.8 (nifty fifty) - The lens I use most of the time - amzn.to/3eI25yN
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 - The lens I use occasionally - amzn.to/2M8RjFB
Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M - amzn.to/3j1opDF
Amazon Basics Tripod - amzn.to/3cntUuU
Google Pixel 6 Pro - amzn.to/3IDMBIB
OnePlus 7 Pro - amzn.to/36p6sty
Audio kit
Yeti Blue Microphone - amzn.to/3afEEJ7
Rode On Camera Microphone - amzn.to/3taVMIv
Tiger MCA68-BK Microphone Boom Stand - amzn.to/2Yw2NWc
Lighting kit
Neewer 2 Pack Dimmable Bi-color 480 LED Video Light and Stand Lighting Kit - amzn.to/3onLcu8
LED Ring Light 10" with Tripod Stand & Phone Holder - amzn.to/3j2cZiT
Laptop
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 - amzn.to/2KUsfli
Software
Adobe Creative Suite - for talking head videos
Vyond - for animation videos - tracking.goanimate.com/SHF2
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:16 Can breathing through your nose unblock it?
0:25 Demonstration how this works
1:22 Oxygen vs carbon dioxide
3:21 Buteyko breathing exercises
4:25 Why Asthmatics have trouble with scuba diving
5:08 Why nasal breathing unblocks your nose
6:11 Conclusion

[@mimbeim3262]

Vik, thank you for your brilliant and clear description. And for your open minded approach. I have been teaching the Buteyko method (alongside diaphragmatic breathing) for over a decade and am still bowled over by the changes in people's health. Especially asthma, but also OSA.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Great to have an actual instructor comment, I only did the course. Thank you.

[@mimbeim3262]

​@@VikVeerENTSurgeon you are the most humble specialist I have ever encountered. 😺

[@davidnorden1972]

I’ve found this technique very helpful after discovering the work of Dr Buteyko. Also, I’ve noticed that mouth-taping at night with micropore improves the quality of my sleep. Unfortunately, it’s not improved my ETD.

[@sakuragi_hanamichi3263]

Man you channel is a gem! Can you make a video about why the nose gets blocked? Also should we do these exercises only when the nose gets blocked or keep doing it always?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

It's a massive topic. I'm doing a video on house dust mite soon

[@asomerset1532]

Have you read James Nestor's book Breathe and do you have an opinion on it (in particular the bit about having a narrow airway)? The Royal Society seemed to approve.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I have just bought this (since you commented), I'm at part 2 so far. Thanks for the tip

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Just finished the book. very interesting, some of it I didn't agree with, but still worth a read, thanks!

[@asomerset1532]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Would be interested to hear which bits you didn't agree with! Or better still, maybe you could have him as a guest on your channel and you can discuss it ;)

[@DaveRunner]

Hi, could you please do a review of Snore Circle? Or alternatives that uses small electrical current to stop snoring? thanks

[@littlehiya9763]

Hi, I have allergic rhinitis for years. Recently it has got worsen. I have been suffering with nasal congestion for around 3 weeks continuously. I am struggling talking or eating as most of the I am breathing with mouth. I am taking levocet, I have tried sudafed drops, steam using carvol, olbad oil but nothing helped much. I consulted my doctor and has been advised to take Nasonex ( mometasone furoate).however I not 100 % sure whether that will have side effects, whether I can use it for a while and can get rid of it later etc. Can you please advise?

[@denboy101]

Hi Vik really struggling with my cpap, do you think having my tonsils out will help?

[@huijun7358]

when's the part two coming out?

[@deepavarghese807]

Hi Dr.Vir, I have nasal polyps. More on my left side than right. It is mostly blocked all the time. I can't sleep well at night. I end up having to breathe through my mouth and then my mouth dries up and wakes me up. I am doing saline nasal wash followed by fluticasone. Are there any other remedies? Please advise. Things have been like this for me for three months now. Lack of sleep is really affecting my well being. I used to sleep well with otrivin but since it's been advised not to use more than 7 days I have stopped. Please advise.

[@catmel]

Maybe you could also tell people with Asthma to do an elimination diet to find which food is causing their asthma

[@ChadCilli]

If this doesn’t work and holding my breathe doesn’t reduce my nasal blockage, is there something wrong my body’s ability to regulate/respond? I can get my pulse oximeter down to below 90% oxygen and it doesn’t seem to open my airways at all. Or am I just really good at holding my breath from years of swimming so my body no longer responds?

[@prempant6428]

Hi, could you please do a review of alaxo lito plus and extreme nasal stents? Thank you!

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I will have a look. thanks for the tip.

[@prempant6428]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Thank you, I have tried everything from Ryaltris to Dymistia to individual Corticosteroids and antihistamine nasal spray. I have also had a septoplasty and turbiniplasty. I am thinking of getting another turbinate surgery because of the nasal congestion i keep getting which seems to have to no cause

[@prempant6428]

To add to this ive tried capsaicin nasal sprayd to nasalcrom too.

[@iaz2912]

Hey doctor ! Great video!!! Doctor i have a question are nasal polyps one sided? As in do they block one side of the nose the whole time ? Thanks

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

nasal polyps are normally bilateral but can block the airflow more on one side than the other. breathing exercises would not help with polyps or adenoids or a deviated nasal septum. it works on the inferior turbinates.

[@iaz2912]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon oh It’s just that I don’t know if I have polyps or just sinusitis so I’m trying to see if polyps do not switch sides Because my nose gets blocked if I lay down on one side then gets unblocked if I start moving It’s been like that for almost a month and I am using Nasonex and i see not a lot of difference Do I have nasal polyps or just swollen sinuses? Thanks dr

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

that sounds much more like turbinates because you are describing the epleys reflex. hard to tell until someone examines you.

[@jakec5618]

they could be on either side or both. visit an ent doctor, they can evaluate u and help

[@iaz2912]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon is it normal that it is lasting more than 3 weeks while using mometasone nasal spray?

[@justin219]

Do this help with if you stop sneezing for a week?

[@dionysioschris9405]

Hey doctor, is this helpful for hypertrophied inferior turbinates as well?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

100% - this is the main way it works.

[@huijun7358]

hello humble sir, have you been doing this? is it effective? I have hypertrophied turbinates too.

[@sakuragi_hanamichi3263]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon do you mean it is going to resolve the issue on the long term or what? I thought hypertrophied turbinates is a complication of being frequently swollen! A little bit off question but do we have enough evidence that doing septoplasty alone will treat the hypertrophied turbinates? Thank you and sorry for many comments!

[@saml147]

If you practice Buteyko during the day can you train your body to do it during the night too to help keep your airway open?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Not that I know of. people don't choose to be mouth breathers, instead they are forced into it. on the other hand if you have been a mouth breather for a long time there is a good chance you will stay that way even if your nasal obstruction has been resolved. it takes about 6 weeks to relearn how to breathe through your nose again.

[@prempant6428]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon hey Vik, can you have a look into alaxo lito plus nasal stents, i use them during the night and would like your opinion on them

[@mimbeim3262]

Sam, I teach Buteyko breathing, and the premise is that by doing the Buteyko 'homework' exercises during the day, eventually the breathing receptors will change... 'accepting' a slightly higher CO2 level, thereby the smooth muscle lining the airways will be a little more relaxed, and more open. It's also important, as Vik mentioned, if possible to have the mouth closed at night to prevent the loss of CO2.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

That's a much better answer thanks!

[@saml147]

@@mimbeim3262 Thanks, yes I tape my mouth shut in the night whilst using CPAP nasal pilllows, but recently keep pulling the CPAP off during my sleep.