Just like most things our bodies perform automatically, breath support is a bodily function we tend to overlook. We wake up breathing, go to sleep breathing, and continue breathing every second of every day. Really phenomenal when you think about it.
According to Merriam-Webster, respiration is defined as:
“The physical and chemical process by which an organism supplies its cells and tissue with oxygen needed for metabolism and releases them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions.”
Inhalation brings in oxygen and exhalation expels carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is technically waste from our cells. As we breathe in oxygen, our cells utilize this for processing glucose into energy. The carbon dioxide, water, and ATP energy (all considered to be a waste product) are expelled during exhalation.
Quite a complex process necessary for our bodies to process oxygen to our blood supply and lungs to keep our minds sharp, our bodies strong, and to sustain overall endurance for daily living.
How does breath support affect speech? How does breath support affect eating and drinking?
Think about climbing a flight of stairs. When you reach the top you are probably out of breath. If you have to say something, it will probably be in short simple words: “Yes, hang on, let me catch my breath!”.
Sound familiar? It does to everyone. We’ve all done this before and will do it again.
The act of speaking or eating requires good strong lungs. We need to have good breath support to sing, shout, and carry on conversations. If we are tired, not feeling well, or injured; our speech will be affected. It will be softer and weaker reflecting how we feel.
When we eat or drink we must stop talking to protect our airway. Our swallowing mechanism is the same system we use to speak with. This is why we can not speak and eat at the same time.
Our vocal folds must close tightly to prevent food or water from entering our lungs via the trachea (windpipe). This, in turn, allows the food or water to pass into the esophagus without passing between the vocal folds and into the lungs.
While eating or drinking, with the vocal folds closed tightly for a few seconds, we are not breathing during this brief period. Normally, this isn’t even noticeable. However, if someone is weak for one reason or another, this brief moment without breathing can seem like hours.
Medically compromised people have difficulty eating due to reduced overall physical strength.
Yes, I know, we do challenge this sometimes by eating and talking simultaneously. I also know you must stop talking long enough to swallow your food.
As you see, our physical well-being is important for many reasons. Our lungs need to be strong to support our bodies from head to toe. Without strong lungs we can expect to have difficulty speaking, eating, drinking, walking, and even sitting for long periods of time.
Speech Therapy addresses breath support with little kids and adults. It’s hard to imagine having speech problems because of weakness but it is very common.
Walk every chance you get! Don’t take the elevator-take the stairs. Park in the back of the parking lot and remember to take slow deep breaths (inhalation & exhalation) throughout the day.
Think about this as you practice:
Smell the rose…….and blow out the candle!!
I hope this was useful information for you!
Pamela
