BreatheEasy Health Solutions - Buteyko breathing retraining for better health

Snoring is often considered a joke. For some it’s an embarrassment, an annoyance or a cause of marital disharmony, but it can be a sign of something much more serious: sleep apnoea.

The term apnoea is used to describe a pause in breathing of 10 or more seconds. Sleep apnoea is defined as having 30 or more periods without breathing per eight hours of sleep. Sleep Apnoea Syndrome is characterised by numerous periods without breathing, along with loud snoring and daytime sleepiness.

Extreme fatigue and/or daytime sleepiness are major problems for those with sleep apnoea, especially while working or while driving. Falling asleep at the wheel is a serious risk for those with sleep apnoea and is the cause of numerous accidents. Falling asleep at work frequently results in injury and/or job loss.

Sleep apnoea can also lead to memory problems as well as difficulty concentrating and thinking. Anxiety and/or depression are frequent symptoms, as is irritable or aggressive behaviour. A person with sleep apnoea may experience early morning headaches, sexual dysfunction, chronic tiredness, and swelling of the hands, feet or ankles. Sleep apnoea is also associated with greater risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and blood clots.

Conventional medical treatment for sleep apnoea is most often with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. CPAP is effective but it is uncomfortable and expensive, and wearing a mask while sleeping is unpleasant. Sometimes surgery will be suggested.

Buteyko breathing retraining provides an effective alternative to CPAP or surgery, and is far less expensive and non-invasive. After only several days of practising the Buteyko breathing exercises, the volume of snoring starts to decrease, and participants report more restful sleep, less fatigue and much more energy, and their partners report a reduction in apnoeic episodes (pauses in breathing). As the breathing training continues, snoring decreases further, until sleep is quiet, and the person breathes continuously throughout the night.

Restless legs syndrome, which often occurs with sleep apnoea, disappears with retraining of the breathing.

It is entirely natural - no noisy or invasive equipment

It addresses the cause of the condition, not just the symptoms

It is much less expensive than a CPAP machine or surgery

It improves overall health through improvements in oxygenation, 24 hours a day

It lasts for a lifetime. Once you have learnt the technique, you can use it for life.