Could nasal breathing help to decrease severity of COVID-19?
The nasal cavity and turbinates play important physiological functions by filtering, warming and humidifying inhaled air. Paranasal sinuses continually produce nitric oxide (NO), a reactive oxygen species that diffuses to the bronchi and lungs to produce bronchodilatory and vasodilatory effects. Studies indicate that NO may also help to reduce respiratory tract infection by inactivating viruses and inhibiting their replication in epithelial cells. In view of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), clinical trials have been designed to examine the effects of inhaled nitric oxide in COVID-19 subjects. We discuss here additional lifestyle factors such as mouth breathing which may affect the antiviral response against SARS-CoV-2 by bypassing the filtering effect of the nose and by decreasing NO levels in the airways. Simple devices that promote nasal breathing during sleep may help prevent the common cold, suggesting potential benefits against coronavirus infection. In the absence of effective treatments against COVID-19, the alternative strategies proposed here should be considered and studied in more detail.
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Figure 1. Potential effects of nasal breathing and nitric oxide on SARS-CoV-2 viral load and oxygenation. Nasal breathing may reduce viral load and improve oxygenation in COVID-19 subjects by filtering the air and by increasing NO levels in the airways. Several factors may reduce or increase the levels of nitric oxide as shown in the pink and green rectangles, respectively.
