It has long been recognised that patients with asthma usually hyperventilate (over-breathe) and cough during the early stages of an attack (Thomas et al., 2001). It is likely that the combined effect of cooling, drying and traumatising an already inflamed mucous membrane (which is what happens during hyperventilation) serves to aggravate the underlying bronchial spasm. Dr Buteyko also contended that the low levels of carbon dioxide induced by hyperventilation are a major factor in provoking an asthma attack, and some recent research provides support for this hypothesis (Austin et al., 2009).

Buteyko exercises teach the asthma sufferer how to avoid this initial hyperventilation phase and to allow any symptoms to subside naturally during the course of a few minutes. 

In addition, many patients suffering from asthma and other breathing disorders are habitual mouth breathers – which leads to chronic hyperventilation. Buteyko exercises teach these patients how to clear their nasal obstruction and restore a normal nasal breathing pattern. As well as ensuring a better distribution of oxygen to the tissues, breathing through the nose warms, filters and humidifies the inhaled air, thus reducing irritation of the bronchial mucous membrane.