Adjusting Your Way of Life to Treat Sleep Apnea


Getting a good night’s rest is crucial to maintaining good mental, physical, and emotional health, but this can be difficult to accomplish for some people, especially those with sleep apnea. Treatment options for sleep apnea differ depending on the severity of the problem.

Moderate symptoms may respond well to natural remedies like weight loss or a change in sleeping position. Some individuals with mild to severe sleep apnea need more substantial treatment. Find out more about natural treatments for sleep apnea and other methods to deal with it.

Natural Remedies for Sleep Apnea

Wearing an assistive breathing machine, known as a CPAP, also referred to as continuous positive airway pressure, is the holy grail for dealing with sleep apnea. Although CPAP equipment is highly efficient, some patients may experience discomfort while using it. Changing certain aspects of your lifestyle may help treat sleep apnea symptoms. 

Below are some ways of living that may assist those of you who are struggling with sleep disorders: If you suffer from snoring and wish to sleep better without CPAP, speak to your doctor to learn about the natural remedies for this problem.

Take Care of Your Weight

Doctors frequently urge weight loss in patients with sleep apnea. Excessive weight, especially in the upper body, could heighten the risk of airway blockage and constricted nasal flows. These blockages might induce abrupt or long-term cessation of breathing during sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea, maintaining a healthy and balanced weight will help keep your airways open and reduce your symptoms.

Study reveals that small weight loss in obese individuals can eliminate the need for upper respiratory tract surgery or long-term CPAP treatment. In some situations, losing weight helps cure sleep apnea. However, if you regain weight, the condition can reappear.

Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Avoiding excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking can relieve some of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea. Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles, which is much more disruptive to your normal breathing pattern if you struggle with sleep apnea. This disruption causes snoring and an interrupted sleep cycle. Cigarette use causes swelling and inflammation of the airways, worsening sleep apnea, and increasing snoring. 

In fact, a study identified cigarette smoking as a major risk factor for developing sleep apnea. The research also found that people who suffer from sleep apnea are most likely to smoke. In other words, treating your sleep apnea can make quitting smoking much easier. You should go to a sleep apnea clinic to learn more about the possible causes of severe sleep apnea, such as excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking.

Change Your Sleep Position

Each person has a preferred sleeping position, but if you struggle with sleep apnea, switching to another position may help. Sleep apnea is less likely to occur if you sleep on your stomach or side. However, if you sleep on your back, you are more likely to have issues.

Devices that attach to your back or waist can help you avoid resting on your back and eliminate the need for a CPAP machine. Discuss your body positioning and sleep apnea problems with your doctor to establish treatment options. If you want to know why changing your sleeping position may help treat sleep apnea, click here.

Ultimately

Certain lifestyle adjustments and natural remedies can help control and reduce sleep apnea symptoms. Traditional treatments, such as CPAP therapy, which is one of the most effective and widely used solutions for mild to severe sleep apnea, should not be disregarded. Before looking into any alternative ways, it is recommended that you talk about your choices with your doctor. If your condition gets any worse, you need to seek medical care right away.