North Panhandle News

Breathing is an autonomic body function everyone does without even thinking about.

There’s evidence to support the idea that better breathing leads to better health, but when you are suffering from a cold, chronic sinusitis or nasal inflammation, breathing may be all you can think about.

Data from the Frontiers of Neuroscience journal shows that slow breathing techniques can have a major effect on stress, anxiety and depression.

Another interesting finding has been in the area of sleep, according to WebMD. Certain breathing exercises may help you fall asleep and sleep more deeply. Known as the 4-7-8 technique, this knowledge is based on the centuries-old breathing technique, pranayama, where you take a series of deep breaths with your tongue pressed to your teeth.

According to Healthline, taking a more proactive and intuitive approach to the way we breathe can be beneficial to overall health and increase endurance. But what should you do when inflammation of the sinuses gets in the way of normal breathing? You don't have to just live with it. It's time to see an ear, nose and throat specialist when nasal inflammation, sinus infections or allergies impact your daily life and your ability to breathe.

“Whatever your sinus condition is or your complaint, the Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers can definitely find a way to improve your quality of life," Dr. Matthew Blair, an otolaryngologist, told North Panhandle News. "And we've just got to take it slowly and tailor your treatment to your specific problem. And we could definitely improve you in some way."

We encourage our readers to learn more about their sinuses by taking this online Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.