An Overview of Sleep Apnea Remedies
In a stressful world, sleeping problems are common. Some people do have specific medical conditions that make them insomniac, and they remain deprived of quality sleep at night. One of the most commonly reported problems is sleep apnea. It causes breathing problems while you’re sleeping.
With this condition you may find yourself waking up in the middle of the night feeling tired despite hours of sleep. Luckily, sleep apnea is not an incurable condition as we have a number of remedies to resolve this condition.
Use a CPAC Machine
Doctors usually recommend the use of a CPAC machine for anyone with sleep apnea. This equipment requires you to wear a mask when you go to sleep. The machine pushes air down your throat while you sleep to open obstructions caused by soft tissues. A CPAP machine also provides you the oxygen you require while sleeping. You must use your CPAC machine each night to resolve the problems caused by sleep apnea.
Legally, you need a doctor’s prescriptions before buying a CPAC mask or machine. You are required to consult your doctor to discuss your sleep concerns and will probably have to undergo an exam to determine if a CPAC machine will correct your medical condition.
Healthy Diet
According to WebMD, obesity is the leading cause of sleep apnea because excess body mass tends to push the muscles in your throat together.
As sleep apnea decreases the quality of your sleep, you’re more vulnerable to having a heart attack. Unluckily, both obesity and poor sleep combine to put you at a greater risk of developing life-threatening physiological conditions.
A doctor initially determines if a healthy diet can resolve your sleep apnea. They will also measure the circumference of your neck can calculate your body mass index. If your neck has circumference more than 16.5 inches or your BMI is above 30, it’s likely your weight that is the culprit. So, the healthy and natural way to resolve your sleeping problem is simply to lose weight.
Routine Exercise
Exercise is an essential way to supplement a healthy diet, especially when you’re trying to lose weight. Obviously, you don’t need to become a bodybuilder to lose weight through exercise. Thirty minutes of working out per day is usually enough to stop weight gain (when combined with a healthy diet).
In addition, you ought to focus on aerobic exercises while trying to lose weight as these exercises burn calories without building new muscles. Much of your new muscle mass will be converted into fat if you only do anaerobic exercises and stop your workout routine for even brief periods of time.
Your sleep apnea may fade away if you make working out part of your daily routine.
Try Antioxidants
According to some researches, antioxidants may be useful for treating sleep apnea. In one study, people suffering from sleep apnea were given 500 milligrams of vitamin C to see if it resolves their sleeping problems by improving blood vessels in their throat. After the intake of vitamin C, the patients recorded normal blood vessels, with improved sleep quality.
Other researches have discovered that vitamin E, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids have helped patients with sleep apnea. Even though antioxidants are not a medically proven cure to treating sleep apnea, they are worthy of trying when you’re facing sleeping problems.
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol is a trouble-maker not only for the people with sleeping problems but also for those who want a good sleep. Unfortunately, some people use alcohol mistakenly as a sleep aid as it can help you fall asleep while you’re feeling restless. However, trouble starts as soon as you sleep because having alcohol in your stomach will reduce your sleep quality. It can also be tougher to stay asleep while you’re intoxicated.
In a nutshell, you should avoid alcohol at night as it can worsen your sleeping problems.
Smoking is another trouble maker that can exacerbate your sleep apnea. A majority of medical conditions are caused by inflammation, and sleep apnea is no exception. Smoking enhances the level of inflammation in your upper airway, so smokers are more vulnerable to experience sleep apnea. Other drugs like opioids and antidepressants can also worsen sleeping problems.
Get Advice from Your Doctor
It’s advisable to talk to your doctor whenever you have any medical problems. Most of the effective drugs for treating sleep apnea require a prescription, which means you must see a doctor to begin its treatment.
The first step before you can get the treatment you require is to confirm your sleep apnea diagnosis. It’s better to talk to your doctor to learn more about how you can resolve your sleeping problem by finding the right remedy for you.