6 Side Effects Of Sleeping With Mouth  Open

Have you woken up at night often feeling your mouth is dry as a desert? This could be because you are breathing through your mouth while sleeping with your mouth open. Nasal congestion is one of the primary reasons for breathing through your mouth and the other reasons could be a deviated septum, nasal polyps, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Normal nasal breathing moistens the air and traps the foreign particles, allowing humidified air to enter the lungs. But, in the case of mouth breathing, dry air enters your lungs giving rise to various issues. Mentioned below are the side effects of sleeping with your mouth open.

Side Effects Of Sleeping With Mouth Open

1. Halitosis

Commonly known as bad breath, halitosis is an unpleasant condition for both you and the people around you. Breathing through the mouth causes dryness, reducing the level of saliva secretion. Saliva contains enzymes that kill the bacteria and keep your mouth wet, avoiding bad breath. Lack of the same doesn’t just let the bacteria enter your system but hampers your oral health.

2. Tooth Decay And Gingivitis

Saliva, apart from keeping the bacteria at bay, also protects the enamel of the teeth. And, as mentioned previously, breathing through the mouth reduces saliva secretion. Decreased concentration of salivary enzymes causes erosion of the enamel, resulting in cavity and decay.

The bacteria also attack the gums, leading to an infection called gingivitis. When left untreated, gingivitis could cause the separation of the gums from the teeth.

3. Asthma

If you already have asthma, sleeping with mouth open aggravates your symptoms. This is because the air is not filtered like in the nasal cavity and the probability of inhaling potent allergens like pollen or dust is increased. The already hampered airways swell and in severe cases lead to an asthma attack.

4. Abnormal Swallowing

You are more likely to make an extra effort by thrusting your tongue forward to swallow rather than closing your mouth when the mouth is dry. This extra effort doesn’t just cause fatigue but also makes you swallow more air. This leads to further issues like gastritis and acid reflux.

5. Snoring

Sleeping with mouth open causes your soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) and uvula (the fleshy extension projecting downward the palate) to vibrate. This results in snoring. Snoring further leads to other complications like obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious health condition.

6. Throat Infection

Breathing through the mouth not only dries up your mouth but also dries up your throat. Getting up with a sore throat often might be an indication that you are sleeping with your mouth open. The unfiltered air is again to blame for, as it causes severe throat infections due to allergens or bacteria.

It is good to not prolong consulting with your doctor if you observe yourself or your loved ones sleeping with the mouth open. Children, especially, face severe abnormalities like facial deformities and poor growth if they continue to mouth breathe. Thus, adequate medical help is mandatory.

                                                                                                                                                                     SOURCE: BreathNice

 

 5 WARNING SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER  THAT MANY WOMEN IGNORE! [VIDEO]

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer among women.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 40,450 will succumb to breast cancer by the end of 2017.

As such active prevention is very important and it also pays to be able to detect the symptoms of breast cancer in its early stages of development.

Here are 5 common types of breast cancer that you should never ignore:

1. A Fresh Mole or Change in an Existing Mole 

Moles are largely linked to a higher risk of skin cancer, but they can also be associated with breast cancer.

In an 18-years study involving 89,902 women aged 40-65 years, it was found that women who had the most moles had a 13% higher risk of breast cancer compared to those women with no moles. Hence, consider visiting a doctor if you notice a fresh mole or any kind of change in an existing mole.

2. A Persistent Cough or Soar Throat

Breast cancer can spread to your lungs and manifest itself in a protracted cough or hoarseness. This deadly disease spreads to the lungs 60-70% of affected women.

The most common signs are a dry cough and shortness of breath.

3. Changes In The Bowels or Bladder

 Breast cancer can result in hormonal changes, which dry out the urethra, making it hard to control the bladder.

This is referred to as incontinence, and common indications include leaking urine during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, experiencing sudden and urgent urge to urinate, as well as urination that takes unusually longer.

Consider visiting a health professional if you experience any of these symptoms.

4. Fatigue

This is another common symptom of breast cancer and it can’t be mitigated by sleep or rest. Cancer-related fatigue often comes along with other issues like pain, sleep disturbance, and depression.

This pain is typically excruciating and normally associated with high levels of distress.

5. Inexplicable Back Pain

Back pain can be a manifestation of developing tumours.

Breast cancer-related back pain may feel like pressure on the spine and ribs, or pain in your upper back, which feels like it’s coming from the bones.

Here’s a video on how to minimise your risk of breast cancer:

Hope this was helpful!

                                                                                                                                                 source: BreastCancerAwarness