Did you know there is a “shortcut” to the way one draws breath? However, when you breathe, especially inhale, through the mouth rather than the nose, it is doing you more harm than you might realise.
“The airways and lungs require 100 per cent humidity and warm air to be functional, which is enabled by the nose, the structure of which is rich in vessels that ensure this,” explains Dr Fabrizio Facchini, consultant in the pulmonology department at Medcare Hospital in Dubai.
On the other hand, breathing from the mouth sends dry air to the lungs and can lead to bronchospasm and a dry layer of mucus covering the airways.
The ‘right’ way to breathe
Indian yoga instructor Marcellene Azavedo, who trained at The Yoga Institute and now lives in Dubai, describes breath as “our only lifetime companion”, and is forever reminding her students that “the mouth is meant for eating and talking, while the nose, and only the nose is for breathing”.
Azavedo cites the example of babies and children, most of whom breathe through the belly and nose when deep in sleep. “This is because stress is non-existent to them,” she says, “while imbalances and stress can cause the breathing of adults to become erratic, which then leads to various diseases.”
Breathing right also improves posture because the diaphragm is connected to the spine
Stefany Alvarez,
hypopressive breathing instructor
An improved breathing state means more oxygen is reaching the lungs, hence increasing their capacity, which in turn makes you more active and energetic day to day.
“As an example, athletes have superior lung capacity,” notes Dr Olga Vartzioti, pulmonary specialist at King’s College Hospital London – Dubai. “They use breathing techniques to optimise oxygen intake, helping them perform at their peak.”
Stefany Alvarez, a hypopressive breathing instructor and fitness coach from Uruguay, says proper breathing techniques reap both physical and mental benefits. “It leads to an improvement in our cardiovascular system and also improves posture because the diaphragm is connected to the spine,” she explains. Breathing right can also help post-partum women regain the strength of their pelvic floor and abdominal core muscles, she says.
“But beyond these physical benefits, breathing is connected to our nervous system, so it plays a huge part in controlling anxiety,” adds Alvarez.
Indonesian-American yoga instructor Yvette Megchiani agrees. “For people who are active throughout the day, sometimes just listening to their breath can make them sleep, especially when they consciously regulate each inhale and exhale,” says Megchiani, who lives in Dubai. It’s why most meditation tracks also urge listeners to draw deeper breaths in a bid to calm down, switch off and even reach a euphoric, trancelike state.
As James Nester writes in his bestseller Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art: “The tens of billions of molecules we bring into our bodies with every breath … influence nearly every internal organ, telling them when to turn on and off. They affect heart rate, digestion, moods, attitudes, when we feel aroused and when we feel nauseated.
“No matter what we eat, how much we exercise, how resilient our genes are, how skinny or young or wise we are, none of it will matter unless we’re breathing correctly.
“The missing pillar in health is breath. It all starts there.”
The impact of climate change on respiration
Breathing right has also never been more important than it is in the current climate.
A September study in the European Respiratory Journal reported the climate crisis poses the greatest risks to people with respiratory illnesses, with high temperatures and changing weather patterns exacerbating lung health problems. Meanwhile, the United Nations said on Thursday that the amount of dust in the world's air worsened last year.
Higher temperatures can increase the concentration of airborne particulate matter, which can worsen respiratory conditions
Dr Olga Vartzioti,
pulmonary specialist, King’s College Hospital London – Dubai
The respiratory system, along with the skin and eyes, are the direct contact points between humans and the surrounding environment, says Dr Facchini. “So when we breathe, we bring the external environment inside us,” he explains, adding that through this process, the germs from dusty and polluted weather are transmitted to humans.
“Climate change can increase the prevalence of allergens, hence extending allergy seasons with prolonged periods of stagnant air and increased air pollution especially in urban areas,” says Dr Vartzioti.
“Higher temperatures can increase the ground level of ozone and concentration of airborne particulate matter, all of which can worsen respiratory conditions and pose greater risks to individuals with pre-existing respiratory problems,” she adds.
High temperatures also mean people stay indoors for longer, to escape the blistering heat and dusty weather. However, this too can compromise the efficiency of human breathing and create other health problems, “especially if we expose our system to vape, cigarette or bakhour smoke”, says Dr Facchini.
To minimise the impact of indoor air pollution, adults, who usually draw between 12 and 20 breaths per minute, need to ensure proper ventilation, especially when cooking; regularly clean air conditioning ducts; and avoid smoking or vaping indoors.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
QUARTER-FINAL
Wales 20-19 France
Wales: T: Wainwright, Moriarty. Cons: Biggar (2) Pens: Biggar 2
France: T: Vahaamahina, Ollivon, Vakatawa Cons: Ntamack (2)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
The five pillars of Islam
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
More on animal trafficking
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
The five pillars of Islam
More on animal trafficking
The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
