Respiratory issues that are a source of constant discomfort can negatively affect how you feel at every moment. If you can’t breathe easily, everything that you do seems less enjoyable and strenuous. Trouble breathing or conditions that cause frequent irritation and inflammation can also have detrimental effects on your overall health. Here are some ways that can help you retake control of your respiratory health.
Get Help From a Specialist
A chronic problem that impedes respiratory function merits medical attention. An Ear Nose and Throat specialist can help you diagnose the etiological cause of respiratory problems. An ENT doctor can recommend advanced options for treating chronic infections. This type of specialist could also address structural issues in your nasal passageways such as a collapsed nostril or a deviated symptom. These conditions reduce or completely obstruct your oxygen intake through your nose, so a procedure could grant you long-lasting relief.
Identify Environmental Intolerances
If you have an allergy to something in the air such as dust or pollen, you probably already know what triggers your sniffles or itchy eyes. However, you may have one or more environmental intolerances that you aren’t aware of.
Allergies and intolerances are sometimes referred to synonymously, but they aren’t the same thing. The symptoms of an intolerance to something in your environment may be less acute than those of an allergy, and the onset may not be quite so rapid. Nonetheless, a reaction to an intolerance could have a pronounced effect on your respiration and also cause feelings of lightheadedness.
Try a home test for environmental intolerance. This diagnostic tool can test your sensitivity to hundreds of different elements including chemicals, fabrics, and various contaminants in the air. Pinpointing what factors in your environment are impacting your breathing lets you know what to steer clear of and when you should take precautionary measures to mitigate your exposure.
Do a Sleep Study
Sleep apnea is an increasingly common problem. A number of factors can contribute to this condition’s development and severity. Individuals with this affliction experience interruptions in their natural breathing rhythm while they are asleep. If you wake up repeatedly during the night or you don’t feel well-rested when you get up in the morning, sleep apnea could be the culprit.
The best way to diagnose this condition is to do a sleep study. While you sleep, equipment measures your breathing and other vitals. If a doctor determines that you have sleep apnea, a CPAP machine regulates your breathing throughout the night.
Exercise More
Getting more exercise could help you improve lung function. Aerobic exercise works out your lungs and can keep them in optimal shape. Also, your lungs need support from your body’s muscles, so strengthening muscles can take some of the strain out of breathing.
Breathing is one of your body’s most important vital functions. It should feel natural and comfortable. When it doesn’t, it throws your entire sense of well-being off kilter. Taking decisive action to breathe easier can enhance your quality of life and equip you to achieve better health.