Six simple therapies for sleep apnea

You don’t need to worry about what to do when you see sleep apnea symptoms. Although the best and the first thing to do is visit your doctor. However, there’s no permanent medications for sleep apnea. But there are things to do to regain or restore your breathing to its original state. 

We have heard competent doctors prescribing some remedies for people battling obstructive sleep apnea. Do you know there are simple therapies for sleep apnea? Do you know you can control your breathing and your sleep back to its original state? Of course, you can. 

In this article, we will explain in detail the sleep apnea treatment. However, we need your attention, and we urge you to shun all distractions immediately. But before we dive into the details, let us briefly explain what sleep apnea is.

What is sleep apnea? 

If you have ever experienced a situation whereby you stop breathing for a while in your sleep, you’re battling sleep apnea. It is a critical condition that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly. People fighting sleep apnea don’t take in sufficient oxygen. Furthermore, people are unaware that their breathing has been interrupted and their sleep cycle is abnormal. So, some of its symptoms can be detected by someone else. SA can sound like snoring at times. Of course, not all who snore are battling sleep apnea. We all know that the wrong sleeping position can sometimes make people snore. 

Sleep apnea can cause several health complications if left untreated. We have heard about people battling heart disease, which all started from sleep apnea. That is why we can’t stop advising people to do the needful once they see sleep apnea symptoms. 

Before we move into the remedies for SA, let us also talk about some of its symptoms. Perhaps, you might not know you have sleep apnea.

Symptoms of sleep apnea

1. Loud snoring: If you snore loudly while sleeping, there’s a cause for alarm. It shows that there’s a problem with the flow of air in the airways. Although people who snore don’t usually know, they’re snoring. So, that means people close to them need to observe them. Dear reader, if you snore loudly while sleeping, you may be battling sleep apnea. 
2. Morning headache: Sleep apnea symptoms might occur in the form of a headache early in the morning. We’ve heard countless people complaining, and after a series of tests on them, they discover they’re battling sleep apnea.  
3. Irritability: Irritability is the state of being irritable. You have sleep apnea if you’re quick to annoyance, impatience, anger, and petulance. 
4. Gasping for air during sleep: Several people are experiencing this and assume they need to use some drugs. The best thing to do is consult the doctor if you’re experiencing gasping for air during sleep. Gasping for air during sleep is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. However, the fact remains that if you notice this, please consult your doctor. Remember, this write-up is all about the essential things you need to know about sleep apnea. 
5. Awakening with a dry mouth: This symptom is also common. Dear reader, if your mouth is always dry whenever you’re awake from sleep, you might have sleep apnea. And this is the right time to rise and do the needful. Waking up with a dry mouth is one of the undeniable symptoms of sleep apnea common among adults. 

Six therapies for sleep apnea

1. Maintain a healthy weight: It is a formal statement from doctors to people with SA to lose weight. Obesity can obstruct the airway and narrow the nasal passages. So, when there’s an obstruction in the airway, one can stop breathing suddenly for some period while sleeping. Therefore, losing weight can help clear your airways. Not only that but losing weight will also reduce sleep apnea symptoms. Research shows that reducing weight can eliminate the need for upper airway surgery. Are you following?
2. Yoga: Try yoga, and you’ll see how you regain your sleep. It is expedient to know that regular exercise can add up to your energy level. Not only that, but regular exercise will also strengthen your heart and improve sleep apnea. Yoga can improve your respiratory strength and encourage oxygen flow. Furthermore, SA is connected with decreased oxygen saturation in one’s blood. Therefore, yoga can improve one’s oxygen stages via several breathing exercises. Hence, yoga reduces the amount of sleep pauses one may experience. 
3. Alter your sleep position: It is expedient to know that altering your sleep position will help you reduce sleep apnea symptoms. Not only that but if your sleep position is intact, there’ll be an improvement in your night rest. We heard about a study in 2006. It was said that more than half of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cases are caused by sleeping positions. Someone said people with SA should avoid sleeping on their back. Sleeping on one’s back is called a supine position. This position can worsen the symptoms. 
4. Use a humidifier: Humidifiers are tools or devices that add moisture to the air. Dry air can irritate the respiratory system. So, using tools that add water to the atmosphere can open one’s airway, reduces congestion, and encourage clearer breathing. 
5. Avoid alcohol and smoking: If you have sleep apnea and you’re used to alcohol and smoking, you need to abstain from it. More importantly, you need to quit smoking. And those that are addicted to alcohol need to stop taking alcohol at night.
6. Use oral appliances: Do you know oral appliances can help with sleep apnea by repositioning your jaw to ensure your airway is open while you sleep? Of course, it can help. There are two main categories. They are mandibular advancement devices and tongue stabilizing tools. 

On a final note

Dear reader, this article contains the meaning of sleep apnea, and we also explain some of its symptoms before we wrap it up with six therapies for sleep apnea. Finally, if a question crosses your mind while reading this article, please kindly drop your question in the comment box.