The Indian ritual of blowing on a shell, known as Sopro Shankh, helps reduce symptoms for patients with sleep apnea.
A new published on ERJ Open Research suggests that regularly blow a shell – a traditional yogi respiratory practice known as shankh blow – can significantly reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (AS) such as resonating or difficulty breathing.
Researchers at the Eternal Heart Care Center and Research Institute in India recruited 30 adults aged between 19 and 65 and moderate to a six -month clinical trial. 16 participants were trained to blow through a shell for at least 15 minutes a dayfive days a week, while the rest performed standard deep breathing exercises during the same period.
The technique involves a deep inspiration followed by a strong and sustained expiration with the lips frowned at the shell, producing strong vibrations and resistance. Researchers believe this strengthens the upper airway muscles, including the throat and soft palate, which often collapse during sleep in people with.
After six months, the group that blew Shankh had remarkable improvements: a 34% reduction in daytime sleepinessup to five night respiratory interruptions per hour and higher levels of oxygen in the blood at night. Participants also reported better sleep quality.
Although the study was partially based on the self -relate and only involved a small sample, the results are in line with previous research that suggested that Shankh breath can benefit cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep health, recalls.
The AS, which affects millions of people around the world, is most commonly treated with continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP). Although effective, CPAP often suffers from low adhesion Due to the discomfort and inconvenience for patients.
“For people living with the to, especially those who consider CPAP uncomfortable, expensive or inaccessible, our findings offer a promising alternative,” said Krishna K Sharma, who led the research. “Shankh’s breath is a simple and low cost technique that can help improve sleep and reduce symptoms without appliances or medications. ”
Researchers plan to conduct a larger multicenter study to validate their results and compare Shankh’s breath directly with CPAP and evaluate their potential benefits to patients with the most serious.
