Unlikely, non-invasive treatment could significantly improve sleep
A small trial in India found that participants who practised shankh blowing for six months reported better sleep, 34 per cent less daytime sleepiness, and fewer breathing interruptions during the night.
Researchers suggest the technique strengthens upper airway muscles, which are often implicated in OSA, potentially offering an alternative to uncomfortable continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.
Obstructive sleep apnoea affects an estimated eight million people in the UK, causing symptoms like loud snoring and frequent awakenings due to throat muscle relaxation.
Further larger-scale trials are planned to validate these findings, compare shankh blowing with standard treatments, and assess its long-term effectiveness for a wider population.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC Radio Scotland's Bryan Burnett to return to airwaves after cancer treatment
BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett will return to the airwaves on Thursday after undergoing cancer treatment. The broadcaster announced in June he would step back from his programme Get It On to receive care for appendix cancer. Fellow presenter Grant Stott, who stepped in during his absence, announced his return to listeners on Tuesday night. He said: 'In what must have been a terrible time for Bryan and his family and close friends, I'm just delighted I was able to help by looking after something that is very precious to Bryan; Get It On and his listeners. 'Getting to do the show over this time has shown me just how close the audience is to Bryan and vice versa. 'I know they will be delighted to get their radio teatime pal back.' Burnett said his treatment had been successful and thanked those who had wished him well throughout his recovery. Commenting on his return, he said: 'I am delighted to be returning to work following successful treatment for appendix cancer. 'Over the past few months I have been focused on my recovery and have been supported by an incredible medical team, my family and friends, and the overwhelming kindness of so many BBC Radio Scotland listeners who have reached out with encouragement and well-wishes. 'Their messages, cards and kindness have meant so much. 'My team at the BBC have also been a huge support and I want to thank Grant Stott, who has been sitting in for me and done such a great job looking after the show. 'My return to work will be gradual to ensure I maintain my health and energy. Cancer has given me a renewed perspective on what matters most and I am excited about the road ahead and grateful for the opportunity to return to doing what I'm passionate about.' Hayley Valentine, director BBC Scotland, said: 'Like the Get it On listeners, everyone at BBC Scotland is delighted to be welcoming Bryan back to the studio following what has been a tough couple of months for him. We look forward to seeing and hearing him back where he belongs.' Stott will share Get it On presenting duties with Bryan during his phased return. Burnett's first Get it On show will be Thursday 14 August 14 6pm to 8pm.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Perseid meteor shower: When and how to watch the celestial spectacle
Stargazers will have their best chance to see the annual Perseid meteor shower on Tuesday night. The Perseid shower can contain 50 to 100 meteors per hour, and has been described by Nasa as the 'most popular meteor shower of the year'. Here is everything you need to know about how and when to catch the display in the skies above Britain. What is the Perseid meteor shower? Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a stream of meteoroids, which are pieces of debris left behind by a comet. In the case of the Perseid shower, the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle has passed through the solar system and left a giant, invisible trail of space debris. Upon coming into contact with the Earth's atmosphere, the debris burns up – creating bright, fiery streaks which we can see. The Perseid shower – named after Perseus, the constellation that the meteors are believed to originate from – are also known for their fireballs. These are characterised by larger explosions of light and colour which stay in the sky for longer than the average meteor streak. What time will it be visible? The Perseid shower has been active since July 17 and will continue until Aug 24. Your best chance of catching a glimpse is from midnight on Tuesday until the early hours of Wednesday. Where is the best place to watch? Visibility of this year's Perseid meteor shower may be hindered by the Sturgeon Moon – the name given to the August full moon – which will continue to illuminate the night sky on Tuesday. Stargazers in northern England, East Anglia and the Midlands are expected to have clear skies throughout the night, with some cloudy spots in Northern Ireland as well as the south coast and north-west of England. To give yourself the best chance of seeing the phenomenon, avoid areas with lots of lights, such as towns and cities, which can create a glare and obscure your view. Lying down with a view of the whole sky gives you the best chance of spotting meteors. Ensure you give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness – it can take about 20 minutes for them to adapt.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
The best supermarket cakes to bring with you to a Macmillan Coffee Morning
Macmillan Coffee Morning is celebrating 35 years of bringing people together to raise money for those living with cancer. Since 1990, the fundraising event has raised more than £300m for Macmillan Cancer Support. In 2024 alone, the charity provided vital support to around 2.4 million people affected by cancer across the UK. The charity's famous Coffee Morning event is a chance for people to get involved and donate to the cause. The idea is simple: bring baked treats for the group to eat while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea and ask everyone to donate money while having a good time. You can make it as wild or as simple as you like; whether it's organised among teachers and parents at a school, a sober rave with a group of colleagues at work or in your living room with friends. And there's no reason to stick to coffee and cakes, mix things up by organising a Coffee Morning with a difference. Macmillan Cancer Support makes it easy for hosts with information and advice online on how to organise the event, and a fundraising kit that contains everything from balloons and bunting to posters and food labels. Want to be a Coffee Morning Host? Traditionally, people bake their own cakes to take to Macmillan Coffee Mornings. But if you're strapped for time (or skills), then this shouldn't dissuade you from taking part. Requiring minimal effort but often tasting just as nice, supermarket cakes are equally well-received. But with all the biggest supermarkets vying for your attention, which cake should you buy? If you're joining a Macmillan Coffee Morning soon and need some inspiration, the IndyBest team has tried and tasted the best supermarket cakes to enjoy with a cuppa (someone had to do it). How we tested The team sampled these cakes one by one, considering freshness, flavour, ingredients and the concept behind each. From classic carrot cake and tiered extravaganzas to rich red velvet and a spongey take on Eton mess, these are our favourites. The best supermarket cakes for 2025 are: Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland.
