During breathing, air moves in and out of the lungs, usually through the nose. However, some individuals breathe through the mouth, which is known as mouth breathing. Mouth breathing occurs when a person cannot breathe through the nose. It can occur at night, while in some people it can be present both during the day and at night. Some of the signs and symptoms of mouth breathing are snoring at night, drooling saliva from the mouth, wetting the pillow at night, bad odor from the mouth due to dry mouth, feeling tired during the day, irritability in the morning upon waking, hoarseness of the voice due to a dry mouth and disturbed/poor sleep. Dark circles may appear around the eyes. Mouth breathing can affect jaw position, which can result in jaw pain and teeth grinding. In adults, there may be tooth decay or swelling of the gums due to prolonged mouth breathing. Children with mouth breathing may also experience dry lips, cracked tonsils, enlarged tonsils, daytime sleepiness, irritability, crying spells at night, and difficulty concentrating at school. Their growth may also be slow compared to normal.
The main reason behind mouth breathing is nasal congestion. Firstly, it can occur with a cold. The common cold refers to a viral infection of the nose and throat. The second cause may be nasal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis refers to an overreaction of the immune system to inhaled allergens such as dust, pollen, etc., resulting in sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy, red, watery eyes. Another cause is sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, i.e. air-filled spaces in the skull). The next reason is turbinate hypertrophy (means enlarged, swollen turbinates, the bony structures in the nose). Other causes include nasal polyps (benign, painless growths on the lining of the nose or paranasal sinuses, DNS (deviated nasal septum – unilateral displacement of the wall that divides the nasal cavity in two) and sleep apnea (short-term pauses in breathing several times a night) . Other causes include enlargement of the tonsils and enlargement of the adenoids.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy offers a wonderful treatment for cases of mouth breathing. Homeopathic medicines are 100% natural medicines that tackle the root cause of the problem and provide great relief in mouth breathing. With these medications there is a gradual decrease in complaints about mouth breathing. These medicines also help in combating symptoms such as snoring, bad odor from the mouth, dry mouth, fatigue and hoarseness of voice. Homeopathic medicines for cases of mouth breathing are selected individually for each case based on the characteristic symptoms after a detailed case evaluation. Therefore, it is advised to take homeopathic medicines after consulting a homeopathic doctor. Under no circumstances should self-medication be practiced.
Homeopathic medicines for mouth breathing
1. Ammonium Carb – Leading Homeopathic Medicine
Ammonium carb is the top rated homeopathic medicine to treat cases of mouth breathing. Persons requiring this medicine experience marked nasal congestion at night. This results in mouth breathing. They wake up several times during the night due to nasal congestion. A runny nose may persist for a long time. They may sneeze often. They have marked dryness of the mouth and throat, along with the above complaints. Sometimes they get a nosebleed in the morning when they wash their face.
2. Sambucus – With obvious dryness of the nose
Sambucus is of great use in cases of marked dryness of the nose, accompanied by nasal obstruction and mouth breathing. There is also dry mouth and throat. There is also snoring with a whistling sound. This medicine is very suitable for children with dry, blocked nose and mouth breathing. They have difficulty breathing through the nose and often wake up at night feeling like they are suffocating.
3. Teucrium – In cases of nasal polyps
Teucrium is a highly recommended medicine for mouth breathing associated with nasal polyps. There is obvious blockage of the nostrils where this medicine is needed. The main feature of its use is congestion of the nose on the same side on which the person lies at night. In addition, there is mouth breathing. Snoring also occurs while sleeping. Secretion of mucus and water also comes from the nose. In some cases there is discharge of greenish colored crusts from the nose. There is a tingling feeling in the nose. There may be a loss of smell. Sometimes a stabbing pain is felt in the nostrils. Pain is felt in the forehead due to nasal congestion. The above complaints may be accompanied by bad breath from the mouth.
4. Lemna Minor – with nasal polyps or hypertrophy of the turbinate
Lemna Minor is a very effective medicine for the treatment of cases of difficult breathing through the nose due to nasal polyps or hypertrophy of the turbinates. The nose feels constricted when breathing through the mouth when this medicine is needed. There is snoring at night and sneezing during the day. Thick and sticky discharge may come from the nose. The discharge may be colored yellow or white. Sometimes a foul-smelling crusty discharge occurs from the nose. Foul odor comes from both the nose and the mouth. There is also post-nasal discharge (the dripping of mucus from the back of the nose into the throat) along with the above symptoms.
5. Lycopodium – With thick yellow nasal discharge
Lycopodium is indicated for a stuffy nose with mouth breathing and thick yellow runny nose. The nose feels swollen. There is a feeling of dryness in the posterior nostrils. There may be pain in the forehead along with runny nose. Mouth and tongue are dry. There is a bad smell in the mouth when you wake up in the morning.
6. Nux Vomica – With runny nose during the day and nasal congestion at night
This medicine works well when there is mouth breathing and runny nose during the day and nasal congestion at night. There is pronounced snoring at night. There is also sneezing and itching in the nostrils. Headache and excessive mucus in the throat are prominent. There is dry mouth and foul breath in the morning.
7. Agraphis Nutans – In cases of enlarged adenoids
It is a very useful drug in cases of nasal and mouth breathing congestion and in enlarged adenoids. In cases where this medicine is required, the root of the nose is clearly blocked. Enlargement of the tonsils may also be present. There is a tendency to catch cold easily due to exposure to cold air. In addition to the above complaints, hearing problems may also be present.
8. Kali Carb – For mouth breathing and prolonged colds
Kali Carb is a well indicated medicine for the treatment of cases of mouth breathing and prolonged colds. In cases where this is necessary, there is an interaction between runny nose and nasal congestion. There is thick, yellow-green crusty discharge from the nose. The discharge has a bad odor. Post-nasal drip is also present. Itching and burning are also marked in the nose. The voice may become hoarse. Mucus or a lump sensation is felt in the throat.