Sleep apnea may be classified into central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is generally a symptom of severe illness. This condition relates to the function of the brain that disrupts breathing. Whereas obstructive sleep apnea is a condition wherein the upper airways of the individual are either partially or completely blocked. When this happens, it causes the person to pause breathing in their sleep. If you are also suffering from obstructive sleep apnea then the following sleep apnea treatment might be helpful for you.
Home remedies for sleep apnea
Inculcating healthy changes in your lifestyle, regular exercise, etc might be helpful in managing your sleep apnea symptoms. As per the National Sleep Foundation, approximately about 18 million adults, and 15-20% of children in the United States of America suffer from sleep apnea. If the condition is moderate or severe, then it is important to consult a healthcare provider. Otherwise, it may give rise to other health complications such as high blood pressure and heart disease. However, it is not easy to distinguish between moderate or severe cases of sleep apnea and determine whether you require the treatment. Following are some of the home remedies that might be helpful in addressing mild symptoms of sleep apnea
Weight loss
An excessive body might increase your chances of suffering from sleep apnea. Therefore, shedding off those excess weights might be helpful in alleviating the symptoms. Hence try to reduce your body weight by:
- Reducing consumption of processed foods
- Workout regularly for at least 30 minutes daily
- Reduce your intake of sugary beverages
Inculcate healthy lifestyle
Besides, making lifestyle changes to promote your weight loss, you should also:
- Abstain from smoking
- Restrain yourself from drinking
- Use allergy medications to increase the airflow
Inculcating these simple habits can greatly help in reducing the episodes of sleep apnea and its symptoms.
Body positioning pillow
Use a body positioning pillow while sleeping. This will help you to avoid sleeping on your back. Instead of the pillow, you can also try using the side sleeping backpack. However, a study indicates that snoring was more frequent among those individuals who were using the positioners. Therefore this may not be just right for everyone as chronic snoring can damage the tissues of your airways.
Lift the upper portion of the bed to 60 degree
This is an effective solution for those individuals whose sleep apnea worsens when they sleep on their backs. Raising the upper portion of the bed can alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea to a great extent.
Using dental appliances
Using a dental appliance may be helpful in holding the jaw and tongue at a certain position. This positioning will facilitate better breathing as it will increase the airflow. However, you will have to consult a dental professional who has experience in sleep medicine.