Conch Shell Blowing Could Be a Low-Cost Way to Ease Sleep Apnea Symptoms
The snoring is not only boring for the people with whom we share our beds, this can be a sign of a serious sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
In addition to snoring, the AOS shows itself through repeated breaks in the breathing caused by the blocked respiratory tract, which puts additional pressure on the cardiovascular system. To alleviate private sleep partners and help the patients themselves, researchers in India have explored an unconventional remedy: the ancient practice of the conque shell.
In their study, published in ERJ Open researchParticipants who regularly blew a conch shell noticed a relief of AOS symptoms, making it a potentially low -cost and deliciously unexpected approach to improve sleep hygiene.
Obstructive sleep apnea
It is estimated that around 12% of American adults live with AOS – which makes it even more common than asthma – but most do not know that they have it. Not all those who snore have AOS, but snoring often encourages people to ask for help, which leads to a diagnosis.
Moving sleep is the most obvious effect, but disturbances in night breathing can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
“The standard treatment of the AOS is a continuous possession machine pressure machine, or CPAP, which keeps the respiratory routes of the patient open by blowing air through a mask throughout the night. Although effective, many patients find this uncomfortable and fight to use it in a consistent manner,” said Krishna Sharma from the Enternel Heart Care Research Institute in Jaipur, India, in a press release, highlighting the needs of heart center for other traditions.
Sharma has become curious about the blowing conch shell (also known as Shankh blowingA traditional yogic breathing technique) when many of his patients mentioned with casualness that feel better after practicing it. Intrigued, he decided to put this secular ritual to the test in an appropriate clinical trial.
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Ancient practice takes sleep disorder
Thirty adults with moderate AO from 19 to 65 years old were registered at the Sharma clinic between May 2022 and January 2024. All have undergone sleep studies during the night (polysomnography) and questionnaires filled with their quality of sleep and their diurnal sleepiness.
Participants were randomly assigned to learn the conch shell (16 people) or carry out a deep breathing exercise (14 people). Each participant has received a traditional shankh Shell and in person of the research team, then practiced at home for at least 15 minutes a day, five days a week. After six months, they were reassessed.
Those of the Conch Shell group were 34% felt more awake during the day, reported better sleep and had four to five less apnea per hour compared to the deep breathing group. Nocturnal blood oxygen levels have also improved. But what could be so special in a shell that it could help people sleep and breathe better at night?
Muscle training with a blowing shell
Sharma explained in the press release that blowing a shankh implies a deep inhalation followed by an energetic and sustained expiration through tight lips. This produces strong vibrations and resistance to air flow, which can strengthen the muscles of the upper respiratory tract, areas which often collapse during sleep in people with AOS. The spiral shape of the shell can also add unique acoustic and mechanical effects that further tonize these muscles.
“For people living with AOS, especially those who find the CPAP uncomfortable, unaffordable or inaccessible, our results offer a promising alternative. Shankh Suffering is a simple low -cost breathing technique that could help improve sleep and reduce symptoms without the need for machines or drugs, “added Sharma.
In the future, the team provides for a larger multi-hospital trial to confirm the results and examine how the blowing of the conch shell is compared to standard treatments, especially for more serious cases. Although research is still early, the method could become a precious autonomous or complementary therapy for certain patients.
This article does not offer medical advice and should be used for information purposes only.
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