Mouth breathing leading to strokes/heart attack? Is this crazy?

[Michelle T]

My DH has been seeing an ENT for vocal cord problems. This doctor is chief of ENT at a fairly prestigious hospital, so you would think he is a competent doctor. But I'm wondering if this is crazy.

According to dr., being a mouth breather as an adult (he says past the late 30's) puts a lot of stress on the heart, causes high blood pressure, can cause strokes. He claims mouth breathers have congested nasal passageways, which causes them to get less air to their brains.

He wants to do a surgery on DH to repair deviated septum, trim back the interior nasal area (turbinates) and increase the size of the openings into the sinuses. He says this will allow DH to get more air, and he will feel much better.

DH does indeed breath through his mouth, but has never complained of any sort of nasal congestion or breathing problems. He originally started seeing this doctor for a totally unrelated problem.

So, is this totally nuts? DH is getting a second opinion on Friday, but I'm wondering if any one here has heard of these dangers of mouth breathing?
Michelle T

[GreenKitty]

I don't think it's nuts. Maybe you can do a bit of research on the subject.

I do know that mouth breathing causes all sorts of dental problems.

[Jenn in Mo]

Weird!

If you held my mouth closed but left my nose totally free....I think I would still suffocate. I can breathe through my nose, but it feels so strained and I start getting light-headed after a few minutes of nose-breathing.

But since I primarily breathe through my mouth, I feel just dandy.

[Jann in TX]

There have been lots of studies that prove this to be true...especially if any type of apnea is involved.

My DH had the surgery--FIL did too. Both said it was the most painful thing they ever had to do--but they also agree that they felt sooooo much better after the recovery (about 3 weeks). I remember my DH waking up in the morning actually refreshed...a NICE change for the whole family!

I would make sure to get at least one more professional opinion...and then go with the Dr who has the best track record/experience.

[genie]

Well, this is kind of depressing. I thought the only negative to my mouth breathing were the "catching flies" comments.:eek: (Not that I have received any of those in years.) I had my adenoids removed at 10, and I guess that seemed to help. My neighbor was an assistant in the surgery and she said they were the largest she had ever seen.

It never even occurred to me that it could be causing other problems. What are the dental issues with it?

I would really love to actually wake up in the morning feeling this thing people call "refreshed." I'm not sure I have ever felt that way in the morning.

Well, keep us informed as you gather more info.

[Melissa in NC]

My dd at age 3 had large adnoids and tonsils. It was causing sleep problems where she would jerk awake at night. After she recovered from the surgery, she had a hugh growth spurt.

Not being able to breath freely at night puts a strain on the heart. This can cause many health problems. I would definitely get a second opinion on the surgery but I do not think the doctor is crazy.

[Pster]

My dh recently got a CPAP machine. We learned much of the same things as you mentioned - that people with sleep apnea (which is what he has) - do have a greater risk of stroke & it does put a strain on the body... I don't think it's a stretch at all.

I wonder why they didn't consider going with a CPAP machine first and want to do surgery right away - I'd ask them that....but other than that.... glad they found a potential problem!