Breathing (external breath) is a process that is provided by the respiratory system and represents a gas exchange between the body and the environment. When breathing, oxygen enters the body, which is necessary for biological oxidation processes, in which a large amount of vital energy is formed. And the carbon dioxide produced in these processes is removed. What happens in the body with a delay in breathing and whether it does harm - in this we try to figure it out.
Physiology of respiratory arrest
Breathing is one of the few abilities of an organism that is controlled consciously or unconsciously. That is, it is a reflex activity, but it can be consciously managed.
With normal breathing, the inspiratory center sends impulses to the muscles of the chest and diaphragm, causing them to contract. As a result, air enters the lungs.
When breathing is delayed, carbon dioxide, not being able to exit through the lungs, accumulates in the blood. Oxygen begins to be actively consumed by tissues, progressive hypoxia develops (low oxygen content in the blood). An ordinary person is able to hold his breath for 30 to 70 seconds, then the brain makes a breath. Also, if for some reason oxygen supply is limited (for example, in the mountains), then by means of special receptors that react to a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide in the blood, the brain receives a signal and increases the intensity of breathing. The same happens with active physical activity. This is how the unconscious, automatic regulation of breathing occurs.
When talking, eating, coughing, breath retardation occurs periodically on inspiration or on exhalation - apnea. Unconscious respiratory arrest for more than 10 seconds can occur regularly in some people at night (sleep apnea syndrome).
While practicing special breathing exercises and practicing conscious breathing delays (for example, in yoga or during freediving), you can learn to hold your breath for a very long time. Divers hold their breath for about 3-4 minutes, and yoga masters - for 30 minutes or more.
Harm of delay of breath in a dream
As noted above, holding your breath at night during sleep is an involuntary sleep apnea. Its average duration is 20-30 seconds, but sometimes reaches 2-3 minutes. A symptom of this disease is snoring. A person suffering from nocturnal sleep apnea ceases to breathe in a dream, and then wakes up to inhale. So it can last up to 300 - 400 times a night. The result of this is an inferior sleep, which leads to headaches, irritability, decreased memory and attention, and other negative consequences.
Causes of nocturnal apnea:
- The cerebral respiratory center ceases to give signals to the respiratory muscles for some time;
- air flow can not reach the lungs due to the narrowing of the lumen of the airways (larynx, nasal passages);
- some somatic and nervous diseases.
Holding your breath in a dream can be dangerous, so treatment is absolutely essential.
Restorative breathing delay
According to scientific research, conscious breathing delay is of great benefit to the body. Proof of this is the achievements of yoga masters.
Respiratory exercises have a directional effect
It is important to properly perform breathing delay techniques for safe and successful practice. To be sure of correct execution and to achieve positive results, the help of a qualified instructor is necessary.