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What Causes Breathing Through Mouth While Sleeping?
Question: II was told that I am a mouth breather when sleeping. My mouth stays wide open for the entire time I am asleep. When I sleep in an Air-Conditioned room, or just a cold room, upon awakening, I feel like I’m getting a sore throat. And, there are times when a full-blown sore throat does develop. Can I prevent this condition from occurring by wearing a face mask of the type used to prevent the spreading of germs? If a mask is not good idea, can you suggest some other preventive means? If a face mask is OK to use, can it be placed over the nose and mouth, or should it be placed over the mouth only? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
find the cause and not the mask
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Whichever way you use the mask, this is not the manner in which your problem needs to be addressed.
The function of nose other than breathing is to humidify the air. Your symptoms are because of inspiring the dry air and the treatment will involve finding the cause and treating it.
So yot need an ENT examination and that will find the cause of mouth breathing and the cause of nasal obstruction.
According to the cause found, the problem can be tackled.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
find the cause and not the mask
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Whichever way you use the mask, this is not the manner in which your problem needs to be addressed.
The function of nose other than breathing is to humidify the air. Your symptoms are because of inspiring the dry air and the treatment will involve finding the cause and treating it.
So yot need an ENT examination and that will find the cause of mouth breathing and the cause of nasal obstruction.
According to the cause found, the problem can be tackled.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If I did want to use a mask while sleeping placed over my mouth only, could this cause any adverse medical effect? I have another follow up question.You indicated that my symptoms are caused by inspiring dry air. Would using an appliance to introduce moisture in the air be a help? Thank you.Thank you.
XXXXXXX XXXX
E-Mail: YYYY@YYYY
XXXXXXX XXXX
E-Mail: YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
descriptive
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
Routine masks used for covering face like being used by doctors will not be of any help to you because your problem is not because of contamination.
You can use masks like being used with a CPAP or BiPAP machine and these have the humidification options or you can use venturi masks and these can also provide humidified air but usually a source for air or oxygen will be required to be attached to these masks as otherwise these will not be that comfortable as these are not made up of permeable materials.
Simply placing a bib made of thick cotton cloth over mouth which you keep on humidifying after repeated intervals will help but not fully.
Feel free to ask another query. Regards
descriptive
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
Routine masks used for covering face like being used by doctors will not be of any help to you because your problem is not because of contamination.
You can use masks like being used with a CPAP or BiPAP machine and these have the humidification options or you can use venturi masks and these can also provide humidified air but usually a source for air or oxygen will be required to be attached to these masks as otherwise these will not be that comfortable as these are not made up of permeable materials.
Simply placing a bib made of thick cotton cloth over mouth which you keep on humidifying after repeated intervals will help but not fully.
Feel free to ask another query. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Duccal
I asked 2 follow up questions but have not yet received a reply.
XXXXXXX XXXXX E-Mail: YYYY@YYYY
I asked 2 follow up questions but have not yet received a reply.
XXXXXXX XXXXX E-Mail: YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
I have already answered ur follow up queries
Detailed Answer:
Dear, I have already answered your follow up questions.
I did submit that you can use devices which can give humidified air but you have to use a mask whether it is with CPAP or BiPAP or a venturi mask.
You can also place a humidifier in the room that is usually not that effective.
Some home remedies can also be used but you please read my answer to your previous and then are welcome to ask a follow up query pertaining to any further clarification.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
I have already answered ur follow up queries
Detailed Answer:
Dear, I have already answered your follow up questions.
I did submit that you can use devices which can give humidified air but you have to use a mask whether it is with CPAP or BiPAP or a venturi mask.
You can also place a humidifier in the room that is usually not that effective.
Some home remedies can also be used but you please read my answer to your previous and then are welcome to ask a follow up query pertaining to any further clarification.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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