buteyko breathing is being promoted in australia as an a cure for sleep apnea and as an alternative to using a CPAP machine

I attended a lecture by a buteyko practicioner who said the CPAP machine makers and sleep study docs are conspiring to keep this info secret, not wanting to lose customers and money.
he said heart attacks were associated with using a CPAP machine

buteyko breathing was originally promoted for asthma, and seems to sometimes help

the main claim  is that some people overbreathe, thus breathing out too much carbon dioxide so that asthma and sleep apnea result.
the buteyko  breathing method is basicly to take shallow and reduced breaths, thus retaining more CO2 and keeping things in balance, the bohr effect is said to be involved

the apneas or breathing obstructions are said to be the bodys effect to reduce the amount of CO2 being breathed out, despite the apneas occuring on the inward breath

I find it all extremely doubtful, very little actual proof was offered, also the apnea sufferers were to be charged a lot of money to be taught buteyko breathing, about $600. US, for what seems to be a simple and easily taught breathing method

since asthma is said to be partly psychological, I suppose some calming or placebo effect could result, but I dont see how a different breathing method when awake  would result in different breathing when asleep

Hi Lynn,

I'm with you.  I think the CPAP machine makers and sleep study docs are conspiring to keep this info secret, not wanting to lose customers-to death and illness.  As far as *normal* physiology goes, one has to be hyperventilating to lower CO2 levels.  I am sure if you looked at a sleeping polysomnograph of an OSA patient, that is not usually the case (Comment SleepyDave?).  So are you suppose to learn this technique so that you automatically do it in your sleep?

The buteyko practioner was confused, heart attacks are associated with *not* using a CPAP machine.  There are plenty of medical studies to show that  untreated apnea raises the risk of heart attacks and stroke.  I've never hear of a peer reviewed study which shows CPAPs have any kind of deleterious effects.

What a waste of money and a pile of misinformation.  These people really aggravate me  

Vicki

I take offense to the comment that "since asthma is said to be partly psychological"  This is a very old theory from those that don't understand what asthma is.  Hyperventilation fits your description better and by definition would benefit from "breathing less".

Link to Asthma Definition

Quote:

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease—sometimes worrisome and inconvenient—but a manageable condition. With proper understanding, good medical care, and monitoring, you can keep asthma under control.

If you have asthma you are not alone. In the United States, asthma affects 14 to 15 million people. Today, 10 million adults have asthma. Asthma, also known as reactive airway disease, is defined as a chronic lung condition with:

    * Inflammation (swelling) of the airways
    * Increased sensitivity of the airways to a variety of things that make asthma worse
    * Obstruction of airflow

Typical Changes in the Airway Include:
Inflammation

Recent research has shown that inflammation of the lining of the airways is the most common feature of asthma. When they are stimulated, certain cells lining the airways release chemical substances (mediators) that lead to inflammation. This causes the airway lining to swell and narrow. The inflammation may last for weeks following an episode. Most people with asthma have some degree of inflammation all of the time. Some long-term control medications can help prevent and reduce inflammation.

Increased Sensitivity

Another characteristic of asthma is increased sensitivity of the airways. When inflammation occurs in the airways, the airways become more sensitive. When the airways are more sensitive, you are more likely to have asthma symptoms when exposed to things that make asthma worse. When there is less inflammation, the airways are less sensitive and you are less likely to have asthma symptoms when exposed to things that make asthma worse.
Airway Obstruction

In addition to inflammation, further airway obstruction sometimes occurs with asthma. Obstruction is caused by tightening of muscles that surround the airways. This is also called bronchospasm. Bronchospasm causes further narrowing of the inflamed airways. Inhaled quick-relief medications are generally very effective in reversing the bronchospasm.

In some people with asthma, the mucus glands in the airways produce excessive, thick mucus, further obstructing the airways.

This is from the leading research facility for asthma.  Did you see anything about overbreathing? No.  Taking shallow and reduced breaths during an asthma attack is the absolute last thing you need to do.  You are getting less oxygen due to the restriction, so shallow breathing and reduced breaths will only cause this to worsen.  

This technique assumes that if you retain more CO2 that you will change your ph and that will increase your oxygen.  What is missing from this solution is that Bohr was talking about tissue (ie muscles) not lungs.



Notice that in the lungs, both graphs match, so lowering the ph in your lungs will not have any effect...  




So now that you have saved $600, find a charity to donate it to...

lynn543 wrote:

buteyko breathing is being promoted in australia as an a cure for sleep apnea and as an alternative to using a CPAP machine

I attended a lecture by a buteyko practicioner who said the CPAP machine makers and sleep study docs are conspiring to keep this info secret, not wanting to lose customers and money.
he said heart attacks were associated with using a CPAP machine

buteyko breathing was originally promoted for asthma, and seems to sometimes help

the main claim  is that some people overbreathe, thus breathing out too much carbon dioxide so that asthma and sleep apnea result.
the buteyko  breathing method is basicly to take shallow and reduced breaths, thus retaining more CO2 and keeping things in balance, the bohr effect is said to be involved

the apneas or breathing obstructions are said to be the bodys effect to reduce the amount of CO2 being breathed out, despite the apneas occuring on the inward breath

I find it all extremely doubtful, very little actual proof was offered, also the apnea sufferers were to be charged a lot of money to be taught buteyko breathing, about $600. US, for what seems to be a simple and easily taught breathing method

since asthma is said to be partly psychological, I suppose some calming or placebo effect could result, but I dont see how a different breathing method when awake  would result in different breathing when asleep

Funny, I heard the exact same charge of conspiracy mentioned over here in Ireland, by a so called 'practitioner'.
No matter what these 'practitioners' preach there are no peer reviewed studies on the success, more likely failure of buteyko breathing as a possible 'cure' for sleep apnoea. They just can't be produced.

I liken it to snake oil and similar type cures.

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)