Treat Sleep Apnea Naturally

Some health problems come with obvious signs and symptoms. This can make it easier when trying to decide on a treatment method.

You have itchy, watery eyes and fits of sneezing as soon as you step outside, so you take OTC medicine for seasonal allergies. You have indigestion or an upset stomach, so you take an antacid of some sort.

But when you’re experiencing symptoms that don’t seem quite connected with each other or with any health problem you’re aware of, it’s time to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. This will help you get the treatment you need before problems become worse.

Sleep apnea can be one of those health conditions that can do a lot of damage for a long time before you’re sure what the problem is. The symptoms can be somewhat varied and unrelated, so you might not put all the pieces together.

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Waking up with a sore throat
• Feeling tired all through the day
• Difficulty with concentration
• Frequent loud snoring
• Headaches
• Moodiness and irritability

Since sleep apnea is a process where your airways become blocked, and you stop breathing all while you sleep, it can easily be overlooked as a possible cause of your uncomfortable symptoms. But if the ones we’ve listed sound familiar, try a few of these tips for treating sleep apnea naturally and see if they offer you any relief and rest.

Lifestyle Changes And Natural Relief For Sleep Apnea

If you suspect you might be suffering from sleep apnea, you could:

Start a Healthy Diet and Exercise Routine

Any improvements you can make to your diet and exercise habits will help you feel and look better. One of the happy consequences of a better diet and more exercise is relief from your sleep apnea.

Part of that has to do with excess weight and its connection to an increased risk of developing sleep apnea. A possible reason your airway is being blocked while you sleep is from the extra fatty tissue. With proper nutrition and exercise, you can rid your body of unwanted fat and the endless list of other problems it can cause for your health.

Throw Away the Tobacco

We don’t need to lecture you about the dangers of smoking or using other forms of tobacco, but you can add sleep apnea to the list of health problems it can create for you. That’s because smoking will make your throat muscles swell and cut off your airway while you’re sleeping.

Put the OTC Sleep Aids Away

One of the reasons you stop breathing off and on during the night is because your throat muscles become too relaxed and put pressure on your air passages. Over-the-counter sleeping aids can actually increase your chances of sleep apnea because they relax the throat muscles too much and create more pressure than your airways can handle.

Cut the Nightly Caffeine

Caffeine in the evening is counterproductive to your sleep, for obvious reasons. Try to cut out caffeine after midday to give you a better chance to prepare your body for a restful sleep.

Stick to a Schedule

There is definitely comfort in routine. It’s one of the reasons newborns do so well when parents establish a nightly routine right away. From infancy, our bodies instinctively recognize a difference between serenity and chaos, so creating a consistent nighttime routine for yourself will reduce stress and get your mind and body in a more calm, peaceful state. This will encourage better sleep.

Natural Remedies for Restful Sleep

Add chamomile, honey, or cinnamon to a cup of hot water before bedtime to promote better rest.

Get Tested for Sleep Apnea at Matthew J. Cavendish, DDS

And remember when all else fails, you can find proper diagnosis and effective treatment for sleep apnea right here in our Phoenix dental office! Call Matthew J. Cavendish, DDS at 602-835-1304 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.