There is a new trend that is ravaging social media – namely taping your mouth before going to sleep.
Several of those who do it claim that, among other things, they sleep better and feel more rested when they wake up.
But is it the case that the method actually works, and is as wonderful as many claim it to be?
We have spoken to Harald Hrubos-Strøm. He is the senior physician responsible for the ear, nose and throat department at Akershus University Hospital, as well as an associate professor at the University of Oslo.
Doctor reveals surprising sleep trick
The Haaland move
The phenomenon that has come about recently, according to the superior, became particularly popular after Haaland told that he did it.
– Those who use this method do it to get better sleep by breathing through their nose, says Hrubos-Strøm to DinSide.
– A LITTLE RESEARCH: Harald Hrubos-Strøm is the senior physician responsible for the ear, nose and throat department at Akershus University Hospital, as well as an associate professor at the University of Oslo. Photo: Photographer Sturlason Show more
He says that it is likely to have more stable sleep if you breathe with your nose rather than your mouth.
– The problem is that there is very little research that can neither confirm nor deny the claim that you sleep better with your mouth taped, he emphasizes.
No wonder you don’t sleep well
13 out of 20 had an effect
The head doctor explains that it is difficult to research the disadvantages of mouth breathing at night.
– The ear, nose and throat community is united in recommending nasal breathing during rest and sleep, says Hrubos-Strøm and explains that nasal breathing both moistens, filters and warms the air on its way to the lungs.
– But we don’t know exactly how much and how harmful it is to breathe through the mouth, he points out.
The only research the superior can point to is a small study with 20 patients who had varying degrees of snoring and breathing cessation (sleep apnea).
According to Hrubos-Strøm, 13 out of 20 participants had a reduction in the number of breathing stops during the night.
– But a study of 20 participants is not enough to be able to say anything about the advantages of the methodhe states.
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Not enough research
When asked if it is recommended to tape the mouth at night, Hrubos-Strøm answers the following:
– As a doctor, I can only recommend measures with a scientifically documented effect, but I have sometimes advised patients who struggle to use a nasal mask (CPAP) for sleep apnea to try mouth tape, he says.
The doctor is then very clear that there is no research to support this advice.
– I am also leading a research project where we are looking at whether it is possible to train muscles in the face, throat and oral cavity so that you can sleep with your mouth closed without taping it shut. I think that is more beneficial than passively closing your mouth, says Hrubos-Strøm.
Stupid to sleep like this
“Old new” says sleep researcher
A sleep researcher at the department of neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen believes that the method is not stupid.
– I have come across it at scientific conferences, and someone has even developed a product that compresses the mouth, says Birgitte Rahbek Kornum to Danish B.T.
She does not know why mouth taping has become a trend now, as according to her it is old knowledge.
– It is not a miracle cure, otherwise it would have been widespread a long time ago. Mouth tape does not make everyone sleep better, Rahbek Kornum emphasizes to the newspaper.
Shatters the sleep myth
Warns and gives advice
According to the sleep researcher, the hypothesis with mouth taping is that you can get your brain used to dealing with less oxygen by taping your mouth, and that you will thus sleep more stably.
– If you breathe with your mouth open, you always get enough oxygen. But the smallest fluctuations can lower the amount of oxygen in the blood, and this can wake you up, Rahbek Kornum explains to BT
The Norwegian chief medical officer does not want to recommend that you should tape your mouth at night, but emphasizes that he also has no information that gives grounds for warning against it.
– I would still warn against taping the mouths of children or people who are unable to remove the tape themselves if they are not allowed to breathe sufficientlysays Hrubos-Strøm.
But if you are still curious and are going to try mouth taping, you should not choose ordinary tape.
– If you want to try it, you should choose a tape that does not damage the skinadvises superior.
2023-10-14 17:48:56
#Warns #popular #trend
