Introduction
Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, a Ukrainian physician, created the Buteyko breathing technique in the 1950s. This method encourages nasal breathing and slower breathing rates, which improves the body's ability to maintain a healthy level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Buteyko breathing has been increasingly well-known over the years as an adjunctive treatment for illnesses like asthma, sleep apnea, and anxiety. New studies conducted in 2019–2022 are discussed, along with an overall description of the Buteyko breathing method.
The Buteyko Breathing Method: The Fundamentals
Buteyko breathing is based on the idea that low blood carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are caused by excessive breathing, or hyperventilation. Maintaining a greater CO2 content can aid with relaxation and respiratory issues, and it can be achieved by conscious breath control (Buteyko Clinic International, 2020). The method entails the following procedures:
Taking deep, slow breaths through the nose rather than the mouth has been shown to improve respiratory health (Buteyko Clinic International, 2020).
Reducing the rate and volume of one's breaths raises intracellular CO2 concentrations and boosts the efficiency of the body's oxygen delivery (Buteyko Clinic International, 2020).
Briefly holding your breath can raise your CO2 levels and train your lungs to work harder (Buteyko Clinic International, 2020).
Recent Advances in the Field
Treatment of Asthma (2019)
The efficacy of Buteyko breathing for asthma management was examined in a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis. Buteyko breathing was proven to increase quality of life and minimise asthma symptoms and the need for rescue drugs (Burgess et al., 2019).
Apnea in Sleep (2020)
The effects of Buteyko breathing on people with obstructive sleep apnea will be studied in a 2020 study (OSA). Subjective sleep quality and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) both dramatically improved after a 3-month intervention (Chan et al., 2020).
Problems with Anxiety (2021)
Anxiety problems and Buteyko breathing were the focus of a 2021 study. A significant decrease in anxiety symptoms was observed among study participants who practised Buteyko breathing for six weeks, suggesting that this approach may be a promising non-pharmacological strategy for anxiety management (Sharma et al., 2021).
Inhalation obstruction disease (also known as COPD) (2022)
The effects of Buteyko breathing on exercise capacity and dyspnea in COPD patients were the subject of a 2022 study. The findings showed that exercise capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life for those with COPD all improved significantly after practising the Buteyko breathing method (Kim et al., 2022).
Conclusion
Studies conducted between 2019 and 2022 show that buteyko breathing is a simple way to enhance your respiratory health and manage a variety of respiratory problems. People's respiratory health and general well-being can benefit by encouraging nasal breathing, slowing the breathing pace, and practising breath holds. Buteyko breathing has showed promise as a supplemental treatment for a variety of health issues, including COPD, asthma, sleep apnea, and anxiety.
References
According to Burgess, Ekanayake, Lowe, Dunt, D., Thien, F., and Thien, F.