A deep sigh can be more than just a release of pent-up frustration - it's also a healthy way to reset your body. Researchers at ETH Zurich found that the act of taking a deep breath could have physical benefits, particularly when it comes to pulmonary surfactants.
For those unfamiliar with this term, pulmonary surfactants are special fluids that coat the exterior of our lungs and help them expand more easily during breathing. They're crucial for our health, especially in premature infants whose lungs often require artificial surfactants to prevent collapse.
The researchers studied how deep breaths affect these surfactants. In a laboratory setting, they found that when people take deep breaths, their lung's surface stress decreases, which could be the reason why sighing helps alleviate respiratory distress.
In essence, our bodies have multiple layers of pulmonary surfactant, with each layer functioning best when in balance. When out of balance, taking a deep breath can help reset these layers by stretching and compressing them more intensely. This is important because shallow breathing can exacerbate this imbalance over time.
The findings suggest that sighing might not only be a psychological release but also a physical remedy for respiratory issues. The researchers hope their discovery will lead to improved treatments for lung failure in adults, possibly even the development of artificial surfactants.
While we still need more research on the topic, there's no denying the benefits of taking a deep breath - or two, or three.
For those unfamiliar with this term, pulmonary surfactants are special fluids that coat the exterior of our lungs and help them expand more easily during breathing. They're crucial for our health, especially in premature infants whose lungs often require artificial surfactants to prevent collapse.
The researchers studied how deep breaths affect these surfactants. In a laboratory setting, they found that when people take deep breaths, their lung's surface stress decreases, which could be the reason why sighing helps alleviate respiratory distress.
In essence, our bodies have multiple layers of pulmonary surfactant, with each layer functioning best when in balance. When out of balance, taking a deep breath can help reset these layers by stretching and compressing them more intensely. This is important because shallow breathing can exacerbate this imbalance over time.
The findings suggest that sighing might not only be a psychological release but also a physical remedy for respiratory issues. The researchers hope their discovery will lead to improved treatments for lung failure in adults, possibly even the development of artificial surfactants.
While we still need more research on the topic, there's no denying the benefits of taking a deep breath - or two, or three.