One of the most serious sleeping disorders that has been impacting many people is sleep apnea. This condition is a very serious disorder that causes a person to repeatedly stop and start breathing while sleeping. Many people suffering from sleep apnea have tried various medical treatments to help alleviate their problems. However, there are several natural remedies for sleep apnea many have used that have helped them get adequate amounts of sleep at night and improve their health. Along with examining other medical treatments in this post, let’s examine 4 of those natural remedies you must start doing today.
Can you Treat Sleep Apnea without CPAP?
One of the most common ways people with sleep apnea try to treat their problem is by using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. A CPAP machine is a device that is used to treat sleep apnea using mild air pressure to keep your breathing airways open while you sleep. It is composed of three main components- a hose, a mask, and a machine. Some healthcare providers usually prescribe this device to treat sleep apnea.
However, can you treat sleep apnea without CPAP? It’s possible, according to many health experts. While a CPAP machine is helpful, it does have its cons such as the uncomfortable feeling of wearing a mask over your nose and mouth. That’s why many experts have shared some alternative ways of treating this condition. Some of these treatment options include:
- Inspire Therapy– an innovative device that’s implanted under the skin of a patient’s neck and chest to stimulate airways.
- Oral Appliances– Some dental professionals could help with sleep apnea by prescribing oral appliances such as mouthguards to hold the tongue in place.
- Oral Surgery– Surgeons could work with a person suffering from sleep apnea by doing surgery on their mouth or throat and helping them breathe better.
These new approaches to sleep apnea are starting to become needed. One of the reasons that this is the case is because about half of patients who start off using a CPAP don’t exactly stay with it for long. Those who are going through a moderate to severe case of this condition have been going to alternative methods such as Inspire Therapy to safely treat it. However, there are some natural remedies for alleviating sleep apnea if you’re dealing with a mild case of it. Let’s learn about these remedies and how they could improve your overall health.
How to Cure Sleep Apnea Naturally?
If you’re a person suffering from sleep apnea, there are plenty of ways you can alleviate your condition. You may prefer to cure your problem with more natural remedies over surgery or professional therapy. Natural treatments are especially beneficial for those with mild sleep apnea. If you prefer to breathe better while sleeping, here are some simple lifestyle adjustments you can make today:
Maintaining a Stable, Healthy Weight
Losing weight and keeping it off helps in curing sleep apnea naturally. When you’re too overweight, this can increase the risk of airway obstruction. These obstructions can cause you to stop breathing, possibly for an extended time, while you’re sleeping. You should especially concentrate on your upper body in the neck area. Excess fat around this area inhibits a person’s breathing and worsens sleep apnea.
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Drinking alcohol constantly can lower the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. Limiting your alcohol intake will help reduce snoring, which is another symptom of sleep apnea. Too much alcohol relaxes your throat muscles which control your breathing. So if you want to cure your sleep apnea naturally, reduce your drinking habit, especially before you go to bed.
Besides alcohol, smoking is another habit that causes inflammation in the airways. A 2012 study identified this habit as a risk factor for being diagnosed with sleep apnea. Smoking could also worsen snoring. If you’re dealing with this habit and you don’t want to have sleep apnea, it may be a good idea to discontinue using any form of nicotine.
Change your Sleep Position
People who sleep on their back often are more likely to experience problems with sleep apnea. This position, also known as the supine sleeping position, can worsen symptoms. One 2014 study shows that there is evidence suggesting that the supine sleeping position is attributed to unfavorable airway geometry, reduced lung volume, and an inability of airway dilator muscles to compensate. Some adults have found sleeping on their side to help them breathe better.
Use a Humidifier
Besides sleeping on your side, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding alcohol and smoking, investing in a humidifier for your home is another natural remedy for sleep apnea. This tool will help open your airways and decrease congestion while you sleep. A humidifier also adds more moisture to the air. For an even better night’s sleep, consider adding essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus oil, and peppermint to your humidifier.
The Benefits of Natural Remedies for Sleep Apnea
We have seen various treatments of sleep apnea emerge, from oral surgery to Inspire therapy. However, there are plenty of benefits in utilizing natural remedies to breathe better while sleeping. They are safer and easier to start. Consider using a body positioning pillow to help you learn how to sleep on your side more. If you don’t have one, try securing a tennis ball on your back to keep you from turning while sleeping.
On the other hand, avoiding alcohol and smoking are natural remedies for sleep apnea that aren’t easy for some to start doing. It takes time for a lot of people to remove these bad habits from their lives. They know both of them are causing them to develop sleep apnea. But some people continue to indulge in these habits anyway. If this is you, strive to exercise the will power to do away with these habits.
Sleep apnea is a condition that has been affecting many people and inhibiting them from having a good night’s sleep. If you’re one of the many people dealing with it, you can rest assured that you’re not alone. By following these 4 natural remedies for sleep apnea, you’ll be on your way to breathing better while having a good night’s sleep. It takes a lot of effort to make these lifestyle changes a consistent habit. But it’ll be worth it when it comes to bettering your health.
Are you or someone you know dealing with sleep apnea? Have you ever tried to practice one or more of these natural remedies in your everyday life? If so, feel free to drop a comment in the section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you know suffering from sleep apnea.
