While severe sleep apnea is most often treated with CPAP, minor sleep apnea is responsive to self-help remedies, or “behavioral treatments.” Some of the following sleep apnea cures may work for you:
Remedies for Sleep Apnea
Weight Loss
Sleep apnea may be related to weight. Excess fat around the neck can narrow the airways, making more obstacles likely to occur. For some overweight people, particularly those with mild cases, weight loss may be an effective cure. Weight loss could also reduce the severity of sleep apnea. It can be difficult to lose weight if you do have sleep apnea and it is untreated, because you can be too tired or lack the energy required to exercise. This can be quite the vicious circle. Successful weight loss programs where the pounds stay off can take time. It is advised to work towards your weight loss goal in tandem with another form of treatment for sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a life threatening condition that you would not want to leave untreated while you are slowly getting down to your target weight.
Adjust Your Sleeping Position
Adjusting your sleeping position is another non-invasive sleep apnea cure. Particularly avoid sleeping on your back and instead sleep on your stomach or site. Sleeping on your back allow the tongue to relax into the throat and block your airway. Some have found sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pajama shirt to be an effective way to stay on their side while they sleep.
Get More Regular Sleep
You should try to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same times every day. Being excessively tired can make sleep apnea and snoring worse so be sure to get the your required number of hours sleep nightly.
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol and medications can exacerbate sleep apnea by relaxing the throat muscles and causing more apneas to occur. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the medications you are using and their possible impact on your prescribed sleep apnea cure.
Nasal Strips
Nasal strips that are adhered to the bridge of the nose can help to cure snoring.
Whichever sleep apnea cure you choose, be sure to keep your sleep doctor up to date so that they can participate in gauging its effectiveness. Sleep apnea is a serious condition and you want to be certain that your cure is truly effective for your level of severity.
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