Latest news with #ToddAnderson
Fox News
15 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Mouth taping touted by some for better sleep as experts cite safety concerns
Mouth taping has again become a popular bedtime trend on social media — just as it trended a few years ago. The idea is to tape the mouth shut at night to promote nasal breathing, which some experts claim can have health benefits. Others, however, warn of potential risks and questionable results. The Sleep Foundation, based in Seattle, Washington, says the benefits of mouth taping are "mostly anecdotal," with few studies backing up the benefits. "The main proposed benefit of mouth taping is promoting nasal breathing, which helps filter and humidify air and may reduce snoring or dry mouth for some individuals," sleep expert Wendy Troxel, Ph.D. — a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah — told Fox News Digital. Breathing through the nose helps people absorb more oxygen, according to Todd Anderson, sleep and wellness expert and founder of Dream Performance & Recovery in Nashville. When you breathe out through your mouth all night, you're expelling most of the carbon dioxide in your body, Anderson said — but it can be beneficial to have some CO2 in the system. "When you start exercising, you're under stress and your CO2 starts to rise," he told Fox News Digital. "So the more comfortable you are with carbon dioxide in your system, the more adaptable to stress your body is." Breath is like the "steering wheel" of the nervous system. Anderson said breath is like the "steering wheel" of the nervous system, as breathing through the nose promotes longer exhalations and relaxes the body. "Your nose [also] produces nitric oxide, which you breathe down into your lungs. That expands your blood vessels and relaxes your cardiovascular system," he said. "Top to bottom, it calms your body down. That's why it impacts sleep in such a positive way." Some claim that using the tape could also help achieve a more defined jaw structure and could protect dental health, Anderson noted, as mouth breathing leads to dryness and more acidity, which can break down tooth enamel. Sleep expert Troxel said she approaches mouth taping with "considerable caution" — as scientific evidence shows that its effectiveness is "limited." "While some people report less snoring or better sleep, most of these claims are anecdotal and not well-supported by rigorous research with large and diverse samples," she told Fox News Digital. While there is some "preliminary evidence" that mouth taping can reduce snoring for some sleep apnea patients, Troxel noted that the overall effect is "modest." She added there is "no strong evidence" that mouth taping changes jaw shape. For those who have nasal congestion, blockages or allergies, Troxel and Anderson agreed that mouth taping is not recommended, as it can make it harder to breathe at night. "This can lead to feelings of anxiety and disrupted sleep — and in some cases, it may lower oxygen levels while sleeping," Troxel warned. One big concern is that using mouth tape may delay or prevent people from getting proper treatment for sleep apnea, she added, which could pose serious health risks. Anderson also recommended against mouth taping for people who are overweight, those who drink alcohol or other substances, and those who are feeling sick. Troxel encouraged those who experience mouth breathing or snoring to consult with a healthcare provider to address any underlying issues. "Treating the root cause is safer and more effective than taping the mouth shut," she said. For more Health articles, visit "For otherwise healthy, low-risk individuals who do not have sleep apnea and want to experiment with mouth taping, I suggest approaching it scientifically and with caution." "Treating the root cause is safer and more effective than taping the mouth shut." For those who do decide to try it, Troxel suggested testing the tape on the skin first to check for irritation, using medical-grade tape, or considering a tape with a slit so that the mouth is not fully covered. Anderson added that consumers should consider where the mouth tape is made and what adhesive is used, to prevent skin irritation and allergic reactions. The Sleep Foundation cautions on its website that some side effects of mouth taping include difficulty breathing, skin irritation and anxiety. Using a sleep tracker before and during the use of mouth tape for a few weeks could help gauge how it's working, Troxel advised. "If you do not see improvements, that's your answer — it may not be effective for you," she said. "Always stop immediately if you experience discomfort or difficulty breathing." There are other ways to promote nasal breathing, according to Troxel — including targeted exercises. "Alternating nostril breathing or belly breathing during the day can help train your body to breathe through your nose more naturally at night," she said. "It's also a great strategy to manage stress and promote relaxation."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Noon memorial in Marion to honor officers lost in the line of duty
Steve Young Memorial Lodge No. 24 will hold its annual Law Enforcement Memorial on Wednesday, May 21. The event will take place at noon at the Marion Cemetery. The keynote speaker will be Marion Common Pleas Judge Todd Anderson, according to an announcement. The memorial honors five fallen officers from Marion County. They are: Patrolman Jerome Hostetter, who was shot and killed in 1910 Capt. Edward Masterson, who died in a traffic accident in 1922 Deputy William Bender, who was fatally injured in a traffic accident in 1973 Trooper William 'Randy' Bender, who died in a traffic accident in 1982 Deputy Brandy Lyn Winfield, who was shot and killed on Oct. 14, 2004. There will be no parking available on site, but parking will be available off Superior Street behind the old City Hall. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Five Marion officers remembered in emotional cemetery tribute
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heat exposure linked to better sleep, experts say — here's why
Heat exposure has been linked to lasting benefits for overall health. Spending time in heated environments, like a sauna, can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases and can help improve sleep, research has shown. In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Todd Anderson, co-founder of Dream Performance & Recovery and host of the "Beat the Heat" podcast, shared some lesser-known effects of spending time in a sauna. Sunlight Exposure Can Bring Life-changing Health Benefits, Expert Says "Sauna went from this thing that felt good, to something that could actually be a longevity tool," said the Nashville-based health and wellness expert. "The combination of this hard science and the explosion in longevity and popularity has created something." Increased "sauna bathing" has been associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, according to research from Finland. Read On The Fox News App Participants in a global sauna survey in 2019 also reported health benefits regarding mental well-being and sleep, with few adverse effects. The survey found that participants — particularly from Finland, Australia and the U.S. — were most motivated to use saunas for relaxation. While saunas can improve longevity and mood, Anderson, whose podcast is hosted inside a sauna, added that heat exposure can also improve sleep. Just One Night Of Poor Sleep Could Have These Surprising Health Effects When the body heats up before sleep, the blood vessels open, allowing the body to get more circulation to the extremities, he said. Although the body's core temperature needs to cool down by about a degree to fall into quality sleep, raising the body temperature might seem "counterintuitive," the expert added. But since the blood vessels are open and pumping more blood, this allows the core temperature to lower faster, and the body's instinct is to cool itself off after being exposed to heat. "You go into a cold, dark room … and all of a sudden you're able to lower your core temperature much more quickly than you normally would, resulting in falling asleep faster and getting higher quality sleep throughout that first part of the night," Anderson said. The expert added that the same sleep benefits can be captured with a hot bath, shower or hot tub. "The longevity and all-cause mortality benefits are going to be connected particularly to the sauna," he said. "But there are some great sleep studies [showing the benefits] of applying any type of heat before bed." Exposure to heat can also help boost the immune system, as the body's natural response to fighting a bug is to spike a fever, according to critical care physician Dr. Roger Seheult. Boost Your Immune System With These 8 Simple Steps Methods like steam saunas raise the body's natural temperature and can help kill off viruses that don't fare well in the heat, he said. "Plenty of evidence shows that viruses do not do well in environments with high temperatures, and that our body signals the innate immune system using fever," the California-based doctor told Fox News Digital. In addition to the health benefits, Anderson noted that he's made lasting friendships during sauna sessions. "It's a rare bubble in our society right now where phones don't work. You're face-to-face. You're going through some controlled adversity," he told Fox News Digital. "There [are] just so many things that I think have dissipated from our society that are brought back to life in a sauna." Benefits Of Cold Water: Health Guru And Extreme Athlete Wim Hof Says We Have 'Power Within' To Heal Disease "When you go through stress together, your brain is wired, and it promotes connection with other people." Enjoying a sauna doesn't have to require a luxury health club membership, according to Anderson, as saunas have been popularized in many cultures for generations. "There are ways to make them with scrap wood and there are some different, cheap heating options," he said. In Finland, a country where saunas are a part of the everyday routine, there are more than five million people and three million saunas, noted Anderson, who recently visited there. "Almost everybody has a sauna at their house," he shared. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter In many countries, saunas are part of the overall culture and can have healing properties, Anderson went on. "It's a feeling. It's very stress-free, in tune with their body connection. Families do it together. It's this spiritual thing." The average person will lose a pint of sweat during a short session in a sauna's dry heat, according to Harvard Health. "The pulse rate jumps by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute," stated the Harvard Medical School publication. For more Health articles, visit "Most of the extra blood flow is directed to the skin; in fact, the circulation actually shunts blood away from the internal organs. Blood pressure is unpredictable, rising in some people but falling in others." While saunas are generally safe for most people, Harvard Health cautioned that people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctors before participating. Sauna-goers should also avoid alcohol and medications that may "impair sweating and produce overheating before and after your sauna," according to the same source. Harvard advised staying in the sauna for no more than 15 to 20 minutes and gradually cooling down after. Drinking two to four glasses of cool water is also encouraged after a session. "Don't take a sauna when you are ill," Harvard Health warned. "And if you feel unwell during your sauna, head for the door."Original article source: Heat exposure linked to better sleep, experts say — here's why
Fox News
21-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Heat exposure linked to better sleep, experts say — here's why
Heat exposure has been linked to lasting benefits for overall health. Spending time in heated environments, like a sauna, can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases and can help improve sleep, research has shown. In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Todd Anderson, co-founder of Dream Performance & Recovery and host of the "Beat the Heat" podcast, shared some lesser-known effects of spending time in a sauna. "Sauna went from this thing that felt good, to something that could actually be a longevity tool," said the Nashville-based health and wellness expert. "The combination of this hard science and the explosion in longevity and popularity has created something." Increased "sauna bathing" has been associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, according to research from Finland. Participants in a global sauna survey in 2019 also reported health benefits regarding mental well-being and sleep, with few adverse effects. The survey found that participants — particularly from Finland, Australia and the U.S. — were most motivated to use saunas for relaxation. While saunas can improve longevity and mood, Anderson, whose podcast is hosted inside a sauna, added that heat exposure can also improve sleep. When the body heats up before sleep, the blood vessels open, allowing the body to get more circulation to the extremities, he said. Although the body's core temperature needs to cool down by about a degree to fall into quality sleep, raising the body temperature might seem "counterintuitive," the expert added. But since the blood vessels are open and pumping more blood, this allows the core temperature to lower faster, and the body's instinct is to cool itself off after being exposed to heat. "You go into a cold, dark room … and all of a sudden you're able to lower your core temperature much more quickly than you normally would, resulting in falling asleep faster and getting higher quality sleep throughout that first part of the night," Anderson said. "Plenty of evidence shows that viruses do not do well in environments with high temperatures." The expert added that the same sleep benefits can be captured with a hot bath, shower or hot tub. "The longevity and all-cause mortality benefits are going to be connected particularly to the sauna," he said. "But there are some great sleep studies [showing the benefits] of applying any type of heat before bed." Exposure to heat can also help boost the immune system, as the body's natural response to fighting a bug is to spike a fever, according to critical care physician Dr. Roger Seheult. Methods like steam saunas raise the body's natural temperature and can help kill off viruses that don't fare well in the heat, he said. "Plenty of evidence shows that viruses do not do well in environments with high temperatures, and that our body signals the innate immune system using fever," the California-based doctor told Fox News Digital. In addition to the health benefits, Anderson noted that he's made lasting friendships during sauna sessions. "It's a rare bubble in our society right now where phones don't work. You're face-to-face. You're going through some controlled adversity," he told Fox News Digital. "There [are] just so many things that I think have dissipated from our society that are brought back to life in a sauna." "When you go through stress together, your brain is wired, and it promotes connection with other people." Enjoying a sauna doesn't have to require a luxury health club membership, according to Anderson, as saunas have been popularized in many cultures for generations. "There are ways to make them with scrap wood and there are some different, cheap heating options," he said. In Finland, a country where saunas are a part of the everyday routine, there are more than five million people and three million saunas, noted Anderson, who recently visited there. "Almost everybody has a sauna at their house," he shared. In many countries, saunas are part of the overall culture and can have healing properties, Anderson went on. "It's a feeling. It's very stress-free, in tune with their body connection. Families do it together. It's this spiritual thing." The average person will lose a pint of sweat during a short session in a sauna's dry heat, according to Harvard Health. "The pulse rate jumps by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute," stated the Harvard Medical School publication. For more Health articles, visit "Most of the extra blood flow is directed to the skin; in fact, the circulation actually shunts blood away from the internal organs. Blood pressure is unpredictable, rising in some people but falling in others." While saunas are generally safe for most people, Harvard Health cautioned that people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctors before participating. Sauna-goers should also avoid alcohol and medications that may "impair sweating and produce overheating before and after your sauna," according to the same source. Harvard advised staying in the sauna for no more than 15 to 20 minutes and gradually cooling down after. Drinking two to four glasses of cool water is also encouraged after a session. "Don't take a sauna when you are ill," Harvard Health warned. "And if you feel unwell during your sauna, head for the door."
