Doctor warns common habit may increase risk of sleep apnoea

A highly experienced doctor has warned a very common habit could increase a person's risk of developing sleep apnoea - and could even "reshape" people's faces. As well as being a podcaster, educator, author and public speaker, Dr Mark Hyman is known for regularly sharing medical advice with his millions of social media followers.

His latest update warns people over how they breathe, as Dr Hyman says: "Did you know that mouth breathing can change the shape of your face and impact your overall health?

"Breathing through your nose helps filter out harmful pathogens, improves oxygen intake, and supports healthy craniofacial development. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, can lead to recessed chins, droopy eyes, and even higher risks of sleep apnoea and infections.

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"Luckily you can reverse these effects at any age! Start by practising nasal breathing, incorporating tougher foods into your diet, and even taping your mouth at night to train proper breathing habits." Text on graphics contained within the Instagram post further explain that mouth breathing also gives you less oxygen than breathing through your nose.

Dr Hyman suggests people tape their mouths before sleep to encourage nasal breathing "which may improve sleep quality". He also recommends people chew their food more, so as to stimulate jaw development, and to practise nasal breathing during exercise and rest.

He added: "Your breath shapes your health, your sleep, and even your face."