Humming May Help with Sinusitis & Upper Respiratory Infections

[Guest guest]

Hi folks--

 

Since winter is almost upon us, along with more colds and the flu

season, I wanted to let you know about some research that has been

done with sinusitis and upper respiratory infections.

 

In a study that was reported in the American Journal of Respiratory

and Critical Care Medicine (2002; 166: 144-145), researchers at the

Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden found that nitric oxide

levels in the sinuses were 15 times higher during humming than during

normal, quiet exhalations. Nitric oxide (NO) helps to dilate the

capillary beds and increase blood flow. Humming had the effect of

dramatically increasing the gas exchange in the nasal sinuses. If

fact, during normal exhalation the gas exchange between the nasal

passages and the sinuses was about 4 percent. When the volunteers (all

" healthy " ) hummed, the gas increase incased to about 98 percent.

 

A poor exchange of gas, as well as poor circulation, in the sinus

cavities, creates an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and

viruses. And this can quickly lead to infection. Based on the results

of their study, the researchers believe that regular breathing

exercises that involve humming may be able to help reduce the

incidence of sinusitis and infections in the upper respiratory tract.

 

Over the last two years, I been including sound-oriented breathing

practices, including humming, in the work with breathing that I teach,

so this research doesn't surprise me at all. Humming has a powerful

influence on our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Done on a daily basis it can help relax us and increase our mental and

emotional clarity. I am sure that researchers will soon find, if they

haven't already, that humming can greatly increase oxygenation and

blood flow not just in the sinus cavities but also in the brain and

elsewhere in the body. In fact, I have included in my book " " Free Your

Breath, Free Your Life, " an entire section about how making sounds

during exhalation can beneficially influence our overall health and

well-being.

 

I have a lot more breath-related research and practices listed at

http://www.authentic-breathing.com. Here you can also sign up for a

free subscription to my e-mail newsletter Authentic Breathing News

(more than 5500 rs), or you can sign up at:

 

http://health.authentic-breathing-news/

 

With best wishes,

 

Dennis Lewis