An Ancient Ritual May Help To Relieve Exhausting Sleep Condition

Conch shellObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may affect up to 10 million of us in the UK, with an estimated four million of those facing moderate to severe cases.The British Heart Foundation notes the common condition is linked to an increased risk of “illness and death linked to the heart”. The NHS links untreated OSA to higher blood pressure and increased risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even depression.It is also linked to “hypersomnia,” or extreme daytime sleepiness, because it interrupts the sleep of people who have it.But a recently published randomised controlled trial from the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in India has found that conch blowing, or shankh blowing, which is thought to date back to about 1,000 BCE, may help to reduce symptoms.What is conch blowing, and what effect might it have on sleep apnoea?Conch blowing is pretty much what it sounds like – it involves blowing through a conch shell.“Yogic texts also describe it as a breathing exercise that strengthens the lungs and throat,” study author Dr Krishna K Sharma told Newsweek.The researchers studied 30 people with OSA aged between 19 and 65 years old. Half of the group was told to try conch blowing throughout the trial for a minimum of 15 minutes, five times a week. The other half were told to stick to the same schedule, but using deep breathing techniques. By the end of the study, the participants who had tried conch blowing reported 34% less sleepiness throughout the day (OSA often makes people very sleepy as it keeps them awake at night).On average, they had four to five fewer episodes of OSA an hour. They also had higher blood oxygen levels as they slept.Why might conch blowing help those with sleep apnoea?The paper said this benefit may have come about due to “respiratory muscle training through shankh blowing”.Speaking to The Guardian, Dr Sharma explained further: “The way the shankh is blown is quite distinctive.“This action creates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which likely strengthens the muscles of the upper airway, including the throat and soft palate, areas that often collapse during sleep in people with OSA.” The researchers hope the findings might lead to better treatment for people with OSA – especially considering current relief for severe cases often comes in the form of expensive, cumbersome CPAP machines.For now, though, the NHS said other ways to manage OSA include losing weight if you’re overweight, exercising regularly, sleeping on your side, and maintaining good sleep hygiene.Related...This Is The Best Position To Sleep In During A HeatwaveI Thought We Needed To Sleep Apart – Then Came The Scandinavian MethodHere's Exactly How Many Minutes To Run Per Week For Better Sleep

Comments

Breaking news

Fish thieving gull swooping on seaside chippy ‘kicked to death’ by angry customer

Metro

Comments

Breaking news

Fish thieving gull swooping on seaside chippy ‘kicked to death’ by angry customer

Federal agents will be out 24/7 on patrol in Washington, the White House says

A boat carrying migrants capsizes off Italy, killing at least 26

US sanctions Mexican drug cartel associates accused of scamming elderly Americans

Shoppers were already leaving Target behind - now half employees say they have little faith in store

Chinese fighter jet comes within 200ft of Philippine plane in mid-air standoff

Amazon to broadcast 17 NBA Cup games, including championship, on Prime Video

Murder investigation launched as man killed in apparent drive-by shooting outside petrol station

A tale of two Chief Pams: Federal takeover brings confusion over command of DC police

Cancer patient faces fresh setback as his car is stolen after first day of treatment: ‘Now I have to deal with that’

Brazil's Lula announces $5.5 billion in credits for exporters hit by US tariffs

High-speed driver busted by police after dangerous chase through London

Angelina Jolie could be the latest celebrity to quit the US. Here is who else has left over Trump’s agenda

Trump names Sylvester Stallone and Kiss for Kennedy Center Honors and says he'll host awards show

Gavin Newsom praised for new online posting style: All Caps and mimicking Trump

Weinstein could be sentenced next month, but only if there’s no retrial on an unresolved rape charge

Billy Joel closing beloved New York motorcycle shop after brain disorder diagnosis

Florida's first black bear hunt in a decade approved despite strong opposition

Man rushed to hospital after 'disturbance' at Edinburgh pub as probe launched

Scots teen missing for three days as cops launch urgent search

Tragedy as body found in search for missing soldier hours after disappearance

EKYC girls score new training gear thanks to Premier League star and ScottishPower

Edinburgh Oasis fan put 'in headlock and wrestled to ground' by security as probe launched

Moor fire near Yorkshire RAF base declared major incident

An Ancient Ritual May Help To Relieve Exhausting Sleep Condition

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Warns Trump About 1 Key Putin Tactic Ahead Of Peace Talks

Major incident declared after 5km wildfire nears RAF base in Yorkshire

Trump’s honours list includes a British 70s sitcom actor you may have forgotten

Kate Middleton releases new video celebrating the beauty of British summer

White House approves changes to H-1B visa program. Here’s what to know

FTSE 100 pushes higher as US rate cut bets build

Los Angeles schools are prepping ‘safe zones’ to keep ICE agents away as students return to classroom

AI could soon detect early voice box cancer from the sound of your voice

Jury in inquest of girl who fatally self-harmed at hospital to consider whether she was unlawfully killed

An Uber ride that should’ve taken 23 minutes became a nightmare — and she’s not alone: ‘Attacks every 8 minutes’

Bryan Kohberger ‘prepared’ for quadruple Idaho murders, expert was set to testify: ‘He didn’t just Google these cases’

Senior citizen love triangle lands four in hospital after shoot out at retirement complex, cops say

TIFF pulls documentary on 2023 Hamas attack from festival lineup, citing footage rights issue

Trump will host Kennedy Center Honors in presidential first. Here’s who’s on the honorees list

JD Vance delivers special message from Trump to US troops based at UK RAF base

Zelensky tells Trump that Putin is ‘bluffing’ and does not want peace ahead of crunch Ukraine summit

Cops fear baby may be ‘in danger’ as they launch search for pair linked to man’s murder in Florida

Zelensky warns Trump Putin is ‘bluffing’ ahead of crunch Ukraine peace talks

Trump administration's lawsuit against all of Maryland's federal judges meets skepticism in court

Cops search for man accused of killing cancer patient’s dog as revenge for a fight between two animals the same day

Little League security worker ‘threatened mass casualty event after being fired’: report

Girlfriend charged with murder nearly two decades after dismembered remains of woman found

Heat health alerts extended into next week during fourth summer heatwave

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon strikes tentative deal to buy the Portland Trail Blazers

Laura Loomer sets her sights on her next target to get the boot from the Trump administration

Experts fear Trump administration’s use of ‘dehumanizing’ memes is ‘a jump to actual violence’

Major incident declared as firefighters battle large blaze in North York Moors Park

Sudan launches a 10-day cholera vaccination campaign in Khartoum as war continues

NASA’s nuclear gamble on the moon faces growing skepticism

Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi charged with attempted murder after attacking prison guards

Germany and allies to send major military aid package to Ukraine using new NATO supply line

A $200 million endowment focused on Black Americans is taking shape

Alcohol at football plans supported by local club as Stirling fans enjoy tipple

Three arrests at Edinburgh Oasis final night

Windfarm schemes are a threat to Perthshire mountain landscape say outdoors group