What could cause someone's breathing to be more audible than most people's?
Asked by
DominicX (
28808
)
November 5th, 2009
I’ve noticed this for years (ever since I’ve known him; way back before he was my boyfriend) in that my boyfriend’s breathing is more audible than most people’s. I had always wondered about it and when I realized it was something that happened all the time, I knew it wasn’t just from a cold. I was too embarrassed to ask him about it, but finally someone mentioned it to him and so he mentioned it to me and said that he had been tested for asthma and such (at a young age), but didn’t have it. It’s not something he notices—it’s just always been that way.
What would cause something like that and is it dangerous? I’ve noticed that after exertion (like after we came back from biking one time) his breathing was even more loud. He doesn’t snore or anything, for the record. He just breathes more loudly than most people.
It was kind of funny when he finally mentioned it, saying that a girl told him he breathes too loud and I said “oh yeah, Rory, I’ve noticed that too, for like the past six years…”. I just didn’t feel comfortable ever mentioning it!
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20 Answers
It could be an issue with his septum, for example if it’s slightly deviated.
Or it could be the type of breathing he does. Does he exhale though his mouth? Also if he is a shallow breather, that would also be louder after exertion since you have to breathe more often to acquire the same amount of oxygen.
You might suggest he look at some of the breathing techniques used by runners, and encourage him to practice the different methods.
You might suggest he be checked again with another doctor. It might not be asthma, but it might be, and it could be something else, or nothing. But it may be that his heart is working harder for him to breathe, and it would be good to check it out. I have learned that one doctor’s opinion is really one’s person’s opinion. It is often worth checking until you find an answer for something which you think might be not working just right. It might take a few doctors, but we here at Fluther cannot really tell you what is the matter—and a great doctor who is willing to take the time to really investigate should be able to give you some reason for this.
My first thought when I read your question @DominicX was deviated septum. It can definitely cause audible breathing. If he never wheezes, or has any other asthma symptoms, that’s ruled out.
He could have it checked by an ENT quite easily and painlessly.
A narrowed nasal passage? My husband has that on one side. He’s only an occasional loud breather, though.
He might also be prone to sinus problems or asthma.
Lung cancer (not that I think he has it) can make people’s breathing loud.
Well, this is all interesting. I’m not exactly worried as it has been something that has been going on for so long, but I’ve always wondered about what caused it. He doesn’t seem to have any asthmatic symptoms, no wheezing or asthma attacks and it was ruled out when he was younger.
@mcbealer Unfortunately, I don’t particularly know the type of breathing he does; I don’t think he really exhales through his mouth, though—the noise seems to be nasal.
@FutureMemory He’s definitely not overweight; he’s quite thin, actually.
@DominicX Does he have a slightly nasal tone to his voice?
@DominicX Again, sounds like a deviated septum look at his nostrils yourself & you may be able to detect it with your own eyes. It is the original reason for rhinoplasty.
My SIL has a large deviation which makes her sound like she has a constant cold
@SpatzieLover
I mean, it’s not that strong of a nasal sound, but it’s definitely there a bit.
“Hey Rory, can I look up your nose for a sec?”
We’ll see how that goes…lol
@DominicX You’ll probably notice a little lump in the middle or off to one side. It doesn’t always create a strong nasal sound…as is the case with you BF.
Problems with tonsils or adenoids? I have a deviated septum and breathe very quietly.
Is he a mouth breather? (And if so, is he a knuckle dragger?)
@gailcalled
Not sure. You’d think that he would’ve found that out at doctor’s appointments, though.
@pdworkin
Knuckle dragger? Wazzat? (He’s not a mouth-breather, though).
(Sorry it was a reference to one of Woody Allen’s standup routines from 1964. I am a maroon. Pay no attention to me.)
What could cause someone’s breathing to be more audible than most people’s?
Two packs of Camel un-filtered a day…..
@pdworkin
lol…you and your old references that I wouldn’t get…haha :)
@boffin
Yeah, I read that smoking can contribute. He doesn’t smoke, though. :P
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