The internet is a treasure trove of hacks and tips, many of which claim to offer miraculous results, such as cleaning without scrubbing or achieving thicker hair overnight. However, one particular trend has caught the attention of experts due to potential safety risks.
For those who find themselves tossing and turning at night, the search for effective sleep solutions is relentless. A recent craze that has swept across social media is the practice of mouth taping. This involves sealing your mouth shut while you sleep, ostensibly to promote nasal breathing, which advocates claim leads to improved sleep quality and enhanced restfulness. Despite these promises, health professionals caution that this technique might pose significant dangers to certain individuals.
Aaron M. Fuhrman, who leads Sleeplay, a company dedicated to sleep therapy and CPAP equipment, expressed his concerns, stating, “I feel a genuine sense of worry each time I encounter one of these videos.”
Fuhrman added, “People believe they are taking proactive steps for their health, but in reality, they might be masking a serious medical issue.”
One such issue is sleep apnea, a condition that remains undiagnosed in over 2.5 million individuals in the UK, according to the Royal College of Nursing. This disorder is characterized by disrupted breathing during sleep and can lead to extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating during the day.
extreme tiredness and poor concentration during the day.
depression or mood changes.
If you are suffering from sleep apnoea and decide to try this mouth taping hack, the consequences can be disastrous.
Breathing disruptions can worsen, leading to more frequent oxygen drops and sleep disturbances. Although for some people it can really work, if you have sleep apnoea, mouth taping can be the worst thing for your health.
If your nose can’t keep up and your mouth is sealed, your blood oxygen can drop to scary-low levels. Over time, this can lead to increased risks to cardiovascular and neurological health.
Aaron said: “I’ve had customers speak to me after trying this trend and reporting terrifying experiences.
“One person woke up ripping the tape off, gasping for air, thinking he was going to die. That’s when he finally came in for a proper sleep study and found out he had severe sleep apnea. In his case, mouth taping may have delayed proper diagnosis and put him at greater risk.”
If you suspect you have sleep apnoea, the best thing you can do for your health is see your GP.
Aaron said: “I get why people try mouth taping.
“It’s cheap, it’s easy, and TikTok makes it look like a miracle cure. But no viral trend is a substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment. Get tested, get treated, and sleep the way nature intended.”
