Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
The U.S. has seen more than 40 million COVID cases, and that number continues to rise. While many who contract the virus deal with uncomfortable symptoms that land them in bed for several days to a week, others are not so lucky, ending up in the ICU facing the consequence of intubation to survive or mitigate their symptoms. However, new research published by the Mayo Clinic in Florida suggests that the early use of nitric oxide in patients with severe COVID may reduce the chance of mortality. Additionally, the study reveals that inhaling nitric oxide could reduce the need for intubating patients with severe cases of COVID. Plus, find out if your body is getting enough nitric oxide and how to ensure that it does.
A Look at the Study
The study took place from June 2020 to December 2020 and included 45 participants hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were given between 5-20 ppm of nitric oxide, along with a high-flow nasal cannula, to treat respiratory failure. Results show that patients given nitric oxide pre-intubation spent less time on a ventilator and in the hospital, and COVID-related deaths were lower in this group as well.
What does nitric oxide have to do with health and lessening infection risks?
Nitric oxide plays a significant role in heart health and overall health. Enzymes in the nose produce nitric oxide. Additionally, our sinuses have even more of these helpful enzymes. Unfortunately, you can only reap these benefits if you breathe nasally. It is estimated that nearly 80% of people breath wrong – meaning they don’t breathe through their nose, taking shallow, instead of deep, breaths. Mouth breathers and shallow breathers could be at risk of lower nitric oxide production, as well as missing out on its vital health benefits that could put them at risk for more severe infections, including COVID-19.
Benefits of Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide has many benefits to our overall health. From anti-inflammatory properties, blood clot prevention, immune defense, and it acts as a vasodilator to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Additionally, nitric oxide helps regulate blood oxygen levels, an essential component of fighting COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. Perhaps the most significant benefit of nitric oxide is its effects on oxygen release in the blood and bodily organs and tissues.
How can I tell if I’m breathing correctly?
The first sign that you might not be breathing correctly is that you breathe through your mouth. However, you could be a nasal breather yet still be doing it wrong. Breathing should take little effort and should not be loud or noticeable by others. If your breathing can easily be heard by those nearby, you might be suffering from a lack of nitric oxide and lower blood oxygenation.
How can I increase nitric oxide when I breathe?
Interestingly, there is a unique method of increasing nitric oxide and encourage deep nasal breathing. It’s called mouth taping or the Buteyko Method, developed by a Ukrainian physician, Dr. Konstantin Pavlovich, in 1952. The technique encourages proper breathing patterns – breathing in and out of the nose. But nasal breathing doesn’t come naturally to many people, especially chronic mouth breathers. Therefore, gently taping your mouth encourages proper nasal breathing with deep inhales.
How to tape your mouth safely
Surgical tape found in most pharmacies is comfortable yet effective for mouth taping. The sound of taping your mouth shut may invoke some anxiety or worry in some people. Understandable! But you can begin by practicing mouth taping during the day when at home and eventually try it at night. Additionally, you could start by taping only one-half of your mouth, leaving the other side untapped for emergency breathing. Your efforts shouldn’t stop there! Breathing exercises, like taking deep breaths and holding it in for a few seconds or until you feel the need to exhale, helps train the body to breathe properly. You can perform these exercises throughout the day, even without wearing mouth tape. Just be sure to seal your lips closed during the exercise.
Other studies have been conducted that point to the positive effects of inhaled nitric oxide in COVID-19 patients. As we explore these results, it is evident that nitric oxide plays a significant role in respiratory health and overall health. Therefore, preventive measures, like deep nasal breathing, are linked to improved immune system function, increased blood oxygenation, and other benefits for preventive health care. The human body is complex yet incredible at providing natural ways to prevent and manage the severity of certain illnesses.
To learn more about the benefits of mouth taping, contact Tenaglia Smiles by calling (517) 347-6733. We provide dental health care to the areas of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing.