Latest news with #conchshell
ABC News
13-08-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Could conches put snoring to bed?
Andy Park: Well, it's a distinctive sound usually found on the salty trade winds of the Blue Pacific, which may replace the far more infuriating sound of your partner's night-time snoring. Yes, one bizarre sleep apnoea study released this week suggests blowing on a conch, yes a conch shell, may be the key to night-time happiness for everyone. And let's face it, people have probably done worse in the search for a good night's sleep. Myles Houlbrook-Walk reports. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Could this be the answer to ending this? On the streets of Sydney, those living alongside snorers are open to all sorts of solutions. Opinion: Very distracting. I don't think I could sleep with anyone that snores. There's a 12 person room, there's at least three people though snored. The person above me and the person next to me snored. And for doing like 25,000 steps a day in Europe, walking around and getting like no sleep because of snoring, it was rough. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: A new study released this week by the European Respiratory Society and carried out by a research institute in India, looked at 30 people with obstructive sleep apnoea. It required them to play a conch seashell, specifically a shunk in this instance, for 15 minutes a day, five days a week. The study found those who practice shunk blowing as a low cost breathing technique were less sleepy during the day and had better quality sleep at night. The findings were especially exciting to Karen, who's not keen on using a sleep apnoea machine. Karen: And the doctor actually suggested one of those, you know, breathing machines. When you've been married 40 years, that would be like the icing on the cake for the death-knell of the marriage. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: I think hearing something like that, would you ever be willing to practice? Karen: I don't know. I've got a conch shell at home. Maybe I'll give it a go. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: You're kidding. Karen: Yeah, I've got a little one from the islands when I did used to sail back in the, in the eighties. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: You know how to blow into it and all that? Karen: Not really, but I'm sure I could try. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Do you think if you suggested it to your husband, he'd be, Karen: he'd think I've completely lost the pot. I'd have a crack at it. I think anything that, that helps, you know, um, tried pillows. I've tried loads of different things, but yeah, I'm just a mouth mouth breather snorer. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Dr Kat Lederle is a sleep therapist in the United Kingdom. She told the BBC, this study fits in with other data around improving respiratory muscles. Dr Kat Lederle: So what that probably does is it strengthens the muscles in the face, in the sort of firings in the thoracic area. And it's really, it's the regular practice. And there are other similar studies looking at other instruments and looking at other exercises that all involve basically the face and sort of the neck, the muscles there to strengthen them and to then stop them from collapsing at night. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Dr Moira Junge is the CEO of the Sleep Foundation and was not involved in the study. She says it's a novel idea. Dr Moira Junge: It is curious. I've never, um, hadn't heard of this before, even though I have heard of ancient healing things like, you know, with Buteyko methods and things like that. So we don't have standard guidelines or it's not a validated part of therapy for sleep apnoea at this stage at least. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: But she warned the sleep industry can be prone to solutions that are not yet substantively proven to be effective and recommended pursuing other means of treatment under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Across the board, Dr Moira Junge says practising good sleep hygiene is crucial. Dr Moira Junge: Consistent sleep patterns, being very aware of the light and the dark. So being in really bright light conditions when you want to be alert. So during the day and in the night-time, plunging yourself into dim light conditions and less stress, unwinding, unplugging before bed. And that doesn't mean just phones and screens. It's like unplugging from your busy mind, unplugging from responsibilities. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: She says more research needs to be done before this can become a promising alternative. Andy Park: Miles Houlbrook-Walk there.
Daily Mail
12-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The 5 proven ways to REALLY stop your partner snoring – as scientists recommend blowing through a conch shell
It's an issue that sparks arguments among couples around the world. And if your partner snores, you've probably tried everything from ear plugs to white noise. This week, scientists revealed that an ancient hack could finally help relive the dreadful symptoms of snoring. According to experts from the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, blowing into a conch shell – also known as shankh blowing – can alleviate snoring. But does this really work? And what other ways are they to stop your partner snoring? Professor Michelle Spear, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bristol, has revealed five proven methods. 'Snoring is often dismissed as a harmless quirk – or the punchline of bedtime jokes,' she explained in an article for The Conversation. 'But it can signal deeper issues that go beyond mere acoustic annoyance.' Snoring is caused by issues with your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe. For this reason, Professor Spear breaks down her advice by body part – the nose, the jaw, the tongue, the soft palate, and the pharynx. 1. Nasal strips Snoring is often caused by problems within the nose, including allergies, polyps, or a deviated septum. These problems force you to switch to mouth breathing – increasing airflow turbulence. Thankfully, there are several solutions for nose–based snoring issues, according to Professor Spear. 'Saline nasal rinses and sprays can help clear allergens and mucus, promoting smooth airflow,' she advised. 'And mechanical aids, such as nasal strips or nostril dilators, widen the nasal aperture, encouraging nose breathing. If your tongue is the issue, Profesor Spear recommends 'tongue push–ups', where the tongue is pressed against the roof of the mouth and held for several seconds before relaxing 'Even the simple act of practising nasal breathing during the day can help reduce snoring.' 2. Sleep on your side For other people, the issue lies with the jaw. 'A lower jaw that sits too far back – whether due to genetics or possibly injury – can cause the tongue to fall backwards during sleep and block the airway,' Professor Spear explained. 'If the mouth also falls open, it throws off the balance between the space in the mouth and the surrounding soft tissues, making snoring more likely.' The simple fix? Sleeping on your side. 'Sleeping on your side counteracts this gravitational collapse,' the expert advised. If that doesn't do the trick, you can also try gently closing your lips with hypoallergenic tape to stabilise the jaw, and promote nasal breathing. 3. Tongue push–ups As you sleep, the muscles around your tongue gradually relax. This isn't an issue for most people. However, if you have a large tongue, weak tongue muscles, or a loose tongue tie, your tongue can fall backwards, partially blocking your airway – and causing snoring. If your tongue is the issue, Profesor Spear recommends targeted exercises to improve tongue strength and control. 'One such exercise is the "tongue push–up", where the tongue is pressed against the roof of the mouth and held for several seconds before relaxing,' she advised. 'Another involves sticking the tongue out as far as possible and moving it in different directions – up, down and side to side – to enhance flexibility and tone.' 4. Conch shell blowing The soft palate – the area just behind the mouth – helps control airflow and stop food or liquid from going up into the nose., However, during sleep, the muscles that usually lift the soft palate relax, which can lead to breathing difficulties for some people. Professor Spear recommends exercises to strengthen these muscles – including conch shell blowing. 'A simpler approach is to mimic chewing motions while pressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth, which engages and strengthens the muscles in this area,' she added. 5. Singing Finally, your snoring issues could stem back to the pharynx - the muscular tube linking your nose and mouth to the larynx and oesophagus. 'The muscles in the throat help keep the airways open when you're awake, but they relax during sleep,' Professor Spear explained. 'As we get older, or after drinking alcohol or taking sedatives, these muscles can become weaker. 'In people who are overweight, extra fat around the neck can also create external pressure on the airway, especially when lying down.' According to the expert, there are specific breathing an voice exercises you can do to help strengthen these muscles - including singing. 'Singing, especially using sounds like 'la' and 'ka', is a simple and effective way to do this,' she said. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs when the walls of a person's throat relax and narrow during sleep, blocking their airways. This interrupts normal breathing, with symptoms including loud snoring, noisy and laboured breathing, and repeated episodes when breathing is interrupted by gasping and snorting. OSA affects between four and 10 per cent of people in the UK. In the US, around 22 million are affected. During an episode, the lack of oxygen triggers a sufferer's brain to pull them out of deep sleep so their airways reopen. These repeated sleep interruptions can make the person very tired, with them often being unaware of what the problem is. Risks for OSA include: Being overweight - excess body fat increases the bulk of soft tissues in the neck Being male Being 40 or over Having a large neck Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol Being in the menopause - hormonal changes cause the throat muscles to relax Treatment includes lifestyle changes, such as loosing weight, if necessary, and avoiding alcohol. In addition, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices prevent the airway closing by delivering a continuous supply of compressed air through a mask. A mandibular advancement device (MAD) can also be used, which is like a gum-shield that holds the jaw and tongue forward to increase the space at the back of the throat. Untreated, OSA increases a person's risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks and type 2 diabetes.
The Independent
11-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Blowing through conch shell could help treat dangerous sleep condition
Blowing a conch shell regularly could help reduce the symptoms of a dangerous sleep condition, according to new research. Shankh blowing is an ancient Indian practice used by yogis for thousands of years, and involves deep inhalation followed by forceful exhalation through a conch shell. But scientists now believe the technique could have huge benefits for those suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) - a relatively common condition where airways become blocked at night, interrupting peaceful breathing. A study published in ERJ Open Research on Monday shows that people with moderate OSA who practised shankh blowing slept better, felt more alert during the day and had fewer breathing interruptions at night. Researchers are now arguing the ancient method could be a simple and cheap way to reduce symptoms without the need for medication or machines. Around 1.5 million adults in the UK are estimated to have OSA. As well as loud snoring and daytime sleepiness, the condition can also increase the risk of serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. In the study, a group of 30 people with moderate OSA were randomly assigned either shankh blowing or deep breathing exercises, which each group encouraged to practice at least 15 minutes per day for five days a week. Researchers said when the groups were reassessed six months later, the people who practised shankh blowing were 34 per cent less sleepy during the daytime. The study found they also reported sleeping better, and monitoring of their sleep revealed that they had four to five fewer apnoeas (where breathing stops during sleep) per hour on average. They also had higher levels of oxygen in their blood during the night. The study was led by Dr Krishna K Sharma from the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India. He said their research showed potential for an alternative to the current treatment of a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which patients can find 'uncomfortable'. Dr Sharma said: 'The way the shankh is blown is quite distinctive. It involves a deep inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation through tightly pursed lips. This action creates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which likely strengthens the muscles of the upper airway, including the throat and soft palate – areas that often collapse during sleep in people with OSA. The shankh's unique spiralling structure may also contribute to specific acoustic and mechanical effects that further stimulate and tone these muscles. 'For people living with OSA, especially those who find CPAP uncomfortable, unaffordable, or inaccessible, our findings offer a promising alternative. Shankh blowing is a simple low-cost, breathing technique that could help improve sleep and reduce symptoms without the need for machines or medication. He added the study was 'small', but researchers are now planning a larger trial involving several hospitals.
The Sun
11-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Snorers should blow a conch shell to reduce breathing problems at night, say boffins
BLOWING through a conch shell for 15 minutes, five days a week, could reduce snoring, according to research. The exercise made people more alert during the day, with fewer breathing problems at night. The team in India tested 30 people aged 19 to 65 with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) which blocks the airways and causes snoring. Those who did shell blowing for six months were 34 per cent less sleepy during the day and slept better than those who practised deep breathing exercises. The standard treatment for OSA is a CPAP machine that keeps a patient's airway open by blowing air through a heavy-duty mask all night. Researchers said a conch — also known as a shankh — is a simple, low-cost intervention that could help reduce symptoms without the machines. Conch-blowing was also linked to higher levels of oxygen in patients' blood during the night, the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India, found. Lead researcher Dr Krishna Sharma said: 'The way the shankh is blown is distinctive. 'The deep inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation creates strong vibrations and airflow resistance. 'It likely strengthens throat and soft palate muscles — areas that collapse during sleep in people with OSA.' BREATHE EASY Cheap blood test 'can predict your risk of terrifying condition that can kill you in your sleep' 1
