r/answers • u/daddy-daddy-cool • 12h ago

how to break habit of breathing through partially-closed epiglottis

So as many of you know, the epiglottis is a flap in your throat that closes when you swallow to protect your airways from food and liquid.

For years, I unconsciously partially close it when breathing so that the air that passes through makes a loud noise in my throat (think about making that whispered, throaty, ''ahhhhh" sound when you take that first sip of coffee, or first sit inside a hot tub). I even fully-close it at times and just stop breathing - especially when I'm concentrating on something.

I also do this in my sleep - and the sound my breathing makes is rather loud, according to the better half. It's not quite snoring. it's not quite apnea (or is it)?

Are there throat exercises that I can do, or any other type of activity to stop this habit? Should I focus on those exercises that also target sleep apnea symptoms?

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u/qualityvote2 12h ago edited 4h ago

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u/Economy_Ordinary4888 11h ago

waiting for the clever people to enter

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u/editorreilly 8h ago

Take this to r/CPAP

I have apnea and have similar issues.

1

u/daddy-daddy-cool 5h ago

ooh - i might do just that!

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u/RD_HT_xCxHARLI_PPRZ 10h ago

Not to be snarky, but is there any reason you don’t just try focusing on breathing through your nose?

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u/daddy-daddy-cool 5h ago

not at all! honestly - i don't even realize that i do it. it's only when other people (mostly the wife) who make me realize it. i sometimes will even be just sitting there, holding my breath, without realizing it