Many people suffer from sleep apnea without even realizing that something is wrong with them. The reason behind this is that people do not know there’s an issue with their sleeping cycle; you usually need someone to tell you that you’re having symptoms like gasping for air, waking up abruptly, and irritability.
Sleep Apnea is when you stop breathing for short periods while sleeping. It causes a snore-like sound and affects your health in various ways. You can try and analyze how you feel every morning to find out if you experience these periods while sleeping, like waking up with a dry mouth, getting frequent morning headaches, and/or waking up tired and experiencing morning sleepiness.
Here are 8 ways to cure sleep apnea at home.
1. Stay Healthy
It’s becoming a trend for a reason; healthy is the new sexy and people love it! Staying healthy means that there’s no pressure on areas of your body that could be blocked because of fats or excess weight, like your nasal passages getting narrower from obesity. Some people also suffer from what doctors call “central obesity,” which is gaining weight in a specific area of the body while the rest of the body remains relatively the same. If you have central obesity in the upper part of your body, then you most likely experience sleep apnea symptoms.
2. Try using a CPAP Machine
Using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine maybe your best option for fast results and immediate help. A CPAP is a mask you wear while sleeping that is hooked to a machine and is connected to your nose to supply oxygen in a manner you would normally have without sleep apnea. The mask works to get the oxygen in your nose and throat and apply the right amount of pressure to keep your airway from narrowing and help you sleep better. There are different kinds of CPAP masks, and you can click here or look around to learn about each one of them and how they are suitable for every unique apnea case. CPAPs facilitate the use of nasal masks as well as chin straps that function to prevent the mouth from falling open throughout the night.
This will help you breathe from your nose and clear your nasal air passages to stop snoring. Other masks function by holding the chin in its place tightly and prevent it from moving, but without adding more pressure onto your jaws. You can find the most suitable mask for your apnea issues, one that will make your life a lot easier.
3. Purify the Air
You can’t clean the air in your bedroom, but if you smoke, for example, you can keep your bedroom smoke free to help you breathe better. Smoking causes sleep apnea and will make it harder for you to breathe and may increase those periods where you have difficulties breathing while asleep. Try buying night plants, like peace lilies, and humidifiers to help clean out the air in your room.
4. Invest in Your Pillow
Try changing the position you’re used to sleeping in and getting used to a new one that helps the air passages function normally. Some studies suggest that it’s better for adults that suffer from sleep apnea to sleep on their side while children sleep better on their backs. One thing that will help you fix your sleeping position and get the best night’s rest possible is getting a suitable pillow that tilts your neck at just the right angle to ensure that your air passages can operate properly.
5. Stay Away from Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills relax all your muscles, including your jaw, tongue, and throat, which will lead to worse sleep apnea symptoms. They can also lead to fluid increasing in your nasal passages, which will cause sleep apnea. Similarly, alcohol and smoking cause inflammation and blockages in your airway, causing you to snore and interrupt your sleep cycles.
6. Use Dental Appliances
Some dental appliances work on positioning the jaw and tongue to help clear the airways during sleep and, therefore, reduce periods of sleep apnea. Visit your dentist and ask your doctor about options that may be helpful and easy to use.
7. Try Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation have been trending, not only because of their health and physical benefits, but also for helping people focus, and control their breathing. Practicing yoga or meditation daily or weekly exercise will help you breathe better while sleeping. It will also help you become more creative and find “inner peace.”
8. Try THC
Some studies prove that THC, the substance found in Marijuana, actually helps patients suffering from sleep apnea. Because smoking is not recommended, scientists are working on new drugs that contain THC, claiming they help decrease sleep apnea symptoms.
Everyone wakes up tired sometimes, there’s nothing unusual about that. However, sleep apnea causes other health issues like increasing the risk of heart failure, decreasing immune function, and causing memory loss. Many factors trigger sleep apnea, like obesity and nasal congestion due to allergies. To get rid of them, you have to be ready to make lifestyle changes and adopt healthier habits to become a well-rested, more refreshed version of yourself.
