A Change In Lifestyle As Treatment Of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when the walls of the throat collapse, blocking off the upper airway of a sleeping person. Breathing stops for a while due to the lack of oxygen until the brain signals the sleeper to wake up, usually snorting, or gasping for breath. There are means aimed for the treatment of sleep apnea. However, it is extremely important to know first the direct cause of the condition before something is prescribed.
The treatment of sleep apnea is usually seen to start from having a change in the lifestyle of the person afflicted with it. Oftentimes, obesity is blamed as one of the causes for the ailment thus the advice is to lose weight and go on a diet. Nevertheless, in other cases, the treatment is dictated by the factors that trigger the condition to occur or even aggravate.
What Specialists Recommend in the Treatment of Sleep Apnea
• Lose weight – Sleep apnea is common among overweight people. They have extra tissue in the neck part that blocks the airway. By simply going on a diet and losing weight, the tissue around the neck can shrink to the right size that can allow adequate amount of air to pass through.
• Reduce alcohol and sedative intake – Both of these elements are factors that can make the throat muscles to relax while in the unconscious state. During this time, the airway closes and prevents the air from passing triggering sleep apnea. Staying away from alcohol and regulating the intake of sedatives are the means to keep the airway open.
• Quit smoking – Smoking also causes sleep apnea due to the nicotine residues that solidify in the airways. Resolving to stop cigarette smoking is a way to allow the air freely through a clean passageway.
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals – Do not drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, or soda before retiring to bed. Also, eat lightly at night to prevent the digestive system from being overworked while you sleep.
• Change the sleeping position – People who sleep on their back are prone to experience obstructive sleep apnea. This position allows more gravity pull on the tissues behind the throat and neck, making them collapse and narrowing the airway. Changing the sleeping position can mean sleeping on the side instead of sleeping on the back. Putting a pillow to tilt the back and prop the side is also another way to prevent sleep apnea.
• Elevate the head of the bed – Put some layers of bricks to support the legs of the bed to tilt it higher on the head side. You may also increase the number of pillows to make your head higher when you sleep. Sleep apnea is greatly reduced when the head stays higher than the body during sleep.
• Get Plenty of Sleep – People who lack sleep are also prone to experience sleep apnea bouts. Make sure to have the complete number of hours required for your age and have a quality sleep during those hours.
• Proper care of the body – Protect the body from viral diseases. If afflicted, take proper medication for illnesses associated with breathing problems such as colds, allergies, and coughs. These common ailments often cause breathing difficulties indicating that the airways are blocked and these can possibly lead to sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is not to be disregarded. It is not to be mistaken as a simple case of loud snoring. Although its mildest form can be treated with the employ of natural means as treatment of sleep apnea, the severe cases need special medication, gadgets or surgery that can be more complicated and expensive. In the meantime, the simpler method of changing the lifestyle seems to be the best option.
