Page 66 - Olfaction regained_Flipbook-subtitles

tongue down from the roof of your mouth towards the floor of your mouth. At that moment the water in the manometer should move towards your nose. Figure 5: Water in the manometer moves the wrong way If you have dentures it may be helpful to start practicing the technique without having your dentures in. You will be better able to feel your tongue against the roof of your mouth and subsequently that it moves downwards. How can you avoid irregular breathing and shortness of breath? If you are still used to breathing deeply in order to smell something, you may become short of breath or dizzy when practicing. Before the laryngectomy it was most natural to breathe in in order to smell something. Now that method is most harmful. If you breathe in too deeply while trying to smell, you may even start to hyperventilate. Attempt to continue relaxed regular breathing, independent of the movements of your tongue and jaw. If this does not work, then you should practice without breathing by temporarily closing the opening of your tracheostoma with a finger. If it seems that the water is moving correctly by using this method, try to reduce it while breathing regularly. 6. Olfaction using the polite yawning technique When you have mastered the polite yawning technique you should try some real smelling exercises. Try smelling things like coffee, aftershave, soap, flowers or soup. Again, you do not have to close off one nostril while doing this. If you are able to smell most odours in this way, try getting used to the polite yawning technique by practicing regularly and at set moments. Try to find moments that are practical for you to use the method. For example, you could practice every time you enter a new room, every time you meet someone, or 65