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| Getting enough sleep is important to your health |
Sleep Apnea Problem And Remedies
There are many associated health issues with sleep apnea. It is one of the most common ailments among people and causes breaks in breathing during sleep. This happens because the soft tissue in the back of your throat collapses and blocks the airway. Thus, the diaphragm is forced to work harder than usual to open your airway. These pauses in breathing also cause snores that are often very loud and can lead to people waking up and gasping for breath. This type of sleep disorder can lead to heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, and even increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Certain physical features can increase your chances of suffering from sleep apnea. These conditions include obesity, narrow airways, large tonsils, a large neck circumference, jaw size, and sleeping position changes.
During the initial examination for diagnosis, your doctor will look for the common symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and prescribe a treatment plan to help you deal with these problems. You can also try some sleep apnea remedies to alleviate your symptoms.
Diagnosis Process
A sleep study is usually required to confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, patients with this condition need to undergo an overnight sleep study, called a polysomnogram.
This test should be conducted in a laboratory under the supervision of a trained specialist because the results of this test are used to grade the severity of sleep apnea. Moreover, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment.
But if the problem persists, your doctor can prescribe some natural remedies for sleep apnea.
Associated Health Issues
Symptoms of sleep apnea include daytime fatigue and mental fog and may also increase your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
In some cases, sleep apnea can affect your learning performance too. It can impact cognitive function and cause depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity.
While most children with this condition do not experience any of these problems, it can lead to more serious health problems in adults.
Similarly, women with sleep apnea are at a greater risk of developing
- depression,
- heart disease,
- and other associated health issues with sleep apnea.
Natural Remedies for Sleep Apnea
Raw Honey
Many sleep apnea patients find that drinking a glass of warm water with a tablespoon of raw honey before bedtime can be beneficial. Raw honey is also an excellent way to help people with sleep apnea as it can reduce coughing fits and sore throats.
The sweet taste of raw honey can also soothe your throat, and it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. However, you should make sure not to use processed honey, as it contains added sugars and is not good for you.
Body Positioning Pillows
Sleep apnea self-care tips suggest using a body positioning pillow as one of the best ways to help people with this problem. These pillows are made to help people prevent sleeping on their backs, which is the worst position for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Other helpful home remedies include side-sleeping backpacks and contoured side pillows.
Use Of Humidifier
Most people find relief by using a variety of natural remedies for sleep apnea. Another way to help those with sleep apnea is to use a humidifier. Dry and dusty air can be very irritating for the respiratory system, thus preventing you from falling asleep peacefully.
Lifestyle Changes
If the condition is mild, lifestyle changes and acclimatizing to colder temperatures are effective sleep apnea remedies. For mild cases, changing your position or losing weight may be all that's necessary. This will reduce the number of episodes, lower blood pressure, and reduce daytime sleepiness.
It is important to note that some treatments will only be effective for mild cases of sleep apnea.
Other natural remedies include gargling with salt water to reduce the size of the tonsils. However, it is best to consult your physician before trying any herbal sleep apnea natural treatment supplements.
How To Stop Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common types of sleep apnea. People with this condition experience frequent pauses in breathing during sleep because the muscles at the back of the throat relax, blocking the airway.
The symptoms can be mild or severe as carbon dioxide builds up in the body. You can use natural remedies for sleep apnea to treat the symptoms, but you should first learn about the root cause.
Work On the Root Cause of Sleep apnea
If you suspect that you might have obstructive sleep apnea, start by finding out the cause. A significant partner may discover apnea symptoms when they notice that their partner does not sleep properly.
If you're suffering from this condition, you should consult with a medical professional to determine if there's a solution for your problem.
Following lifestyle modifications and sleep apnea remedies, such as avoiding alcohol before bedtime, can also improve your sleep quality.
For those who are overweight, losing weight and exercising may also be helpful.
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| Finally, I can get some sleep in this sleeping position |
Change Sleeping Position
The most effective sleep apnea self-care treatment is a change in sleeping position. You should avoid lying on your back as it causes the soft tissues in the back of the throat to collapse, which narrows the airway. This can affect your breathing, so it is essential to avoid these positions.
Surgical Treatment
In severe cases, some people may even require surgery. Fortunately, the procedure is safe, successful and can even help OSA patients improve their quality of life.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
While there are a few treatments that can improve the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, a majority of patients will need to make significant lifestyle changes and sleep apnea self-care.
For example, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help improve overall health and symptoms, while an exercise regimen can enhance the quality of sleep. Ultimately, the best way to treat sleep apnea is to seek medical care from qualified professionals.
AUTHOR: Dominic Robinson has been writing for the healthcare industry for years to become a legacy guest author. His educational background in the medical sciences provides a solid foundation and credibility to approach many health-related issues. Still, he especially enjoys preparing scientifically-backed pieces on modern-day medical problems.