HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Is Breathing Through Nose And Mouth Same?

Posted on Sat, 20 Aug 2016

Question: Still around, stress is still bothersome and panic has a grip

We said that air flows well through big airways but difficult in small when inflamed or constricted. We also said that the anxiety causes problems for corticosteroids inhalers to work. Why is that

Also why do I feel a better breath when inhaling through nose than mouth breathing is it the inflammation is less in nasal airway.
I have heard talk of airway collapses. What is that and why does that occur and is it possible for me to have.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Airway collapse?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Airway collapse?
I haven't heard this term.
There is a term called lung collapse.
Are you referring to Airway collapse while sleeping in sleep apnea?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

I copied this from a web page
This lung tissue normally holds these small airways, called bronchioles, open, allowing air to leave the lungs on exhalation. When this tissue is damaged, these airways collapse, making it difficult for the lungs to empty and the air (gases) becomes trapped in the alveoli.

Again We said that air flows well through big airways but difficult in small when inflamed or constricted. We also said that the anxiety causes problems for corticosteroids inhalers to work. Why is that

Also why do I breath easier through nose than mouth, is this the airways inflammed

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Always will be same for both, nose and mouth breathing.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Yes, this can be possible in your case.
Bronchioles come under small Airways.
So inflammation in this can cause small Airways obstruction on PFT.
Well this is not Airway collapse. Might be a layman term. Ha ha.
For your mouth and nose breathing query.
Airways will be same for both, nose and mouth breathing.
So I don't think there is direct connection between them.
But there is one possibility. Nose is our body 's filter and humidifier for inhaled air. So Air from mouth breathing will be less pure as compare to air from nose.
Unpure air might be causing more inflammation. But I am not sure about this.
Do you believe?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

I ll have to think about the mouth nose queery.

I admit that I have focused too much lately on my obstruction and let my mind think its something more than inflammation. When I change my focus to ignoring it, i start out fine but later in the day or the next day, I let myself slip back because it feels as if nothing changed from day before and my breathing is back to worse.

Today, I will again work on ignoring and try to stop the stress/anxiety/panic and relax.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is the way to deal against stress, anxiety and panic.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, this is the way to deal against stress, anxiety and panic.
May I know few more things about this nose mouth query?
Only if you are comfortable because I don't want to give you more stress.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

You may ask,
I am more comfortable with nose than mouth because I seem to take a smoother breath. Smoother would describe the flow of air in with out any type of obstruction causing problem

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nose is for smooth breathing only.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Nose is for smooth breathing only and this is the reason why you are good with nose breathing.
Please let me know
1. Since how many days you are having this nose mouth query?
2. Is it from so long or recent one?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

I has been for a long long time. I do not know how long just a very long time.

Im still waiting on the reason to We said that air flows well through big airways but difficult in small when inflamed or constricted.

We also said that the anxiety causes problems for corticosteroids inhalers to work.

Why is that

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Corticosteroids are anti inflammatory.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Corticosteroids are anti inflammatory drugs. And anxiety causes inflammation in airways.
So corticosteroids show less effect if continuous stress, anxiety and panic are present.
Why you have not told me before about this as you are having this for long long time?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

Not sure why I never mentioned it. Does it have any relevance?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
If you are mouth breather then it matters.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
If you are a mouth breather then it matters.
So please let me know if you are a mouth breather.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)

I only breath through my mouth when I start to exercise or do something that asks for more air, but the obstructive inflammation limits the amount I get there

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Do you sleep with mouth open?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Do you sleep with mouth open?
Do you snore at night?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)

I have been told i snore quite loud, but I try to sleep on my side(s) to limit the snoring,

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea back in 2003 and was given a cpap, I used it regularly till a year before the breathing and anxiety began,

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you sleep with mouth open?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Yes I know about sleep apnea history of yours and CPAP use.
But I was not sure about snoring.
I thought you are improving with sleep apnea.
Now I have to ask few more questions because uncontrolled sleep apnea can also cause small Airways obstruction.
So please let me know
1. Do you sleep with mouth open?
2. Who told you about snoring? Your wife?
3. Do her sleep disturbed by your snoring?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

I am not positive but if I lay on my back my mouth opens when sleeping, on the sides it could be either. When I lay awake in bed i breath through my nose. I think that is from using the cpap.

My wife, my ex wife my kids have all told me I snore.

My wife will push me if the snoring is bad then she sleeps when it lessens up some or stops .

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have interrupted sleep at night due to snoring?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
My friend, your all symptoms are suggestive of sleep apnea.
Please let me know
1. Do your sleep interrupted by snoring in middle of night?
2. Do you know that you snore at night?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

I wake at night but not sure if snoring is waking me.
I actually do not know of my snoring at night. but........ If I take a nap during the day and i lay on my back, i will fall into a deep hard sleep and as soon as I do, I have a snort trying to get air and will wake.

My night snoring is known by those around me telling me so.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your night time awakening is mostly due to snoring.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, your mystery behind midnight 2-3 am awakening is snoring only.
What do you say on this possibility?

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar