Sleep Apnea Cures

By M. Chris Wolf, PH.D.

Although there is no sleep apnea cures, there are very effective treatments available that help make sleep apnea manageable. Having sleep apnea can become overwhelming when it begins to interfere with daily living. There are several excellent treatments available ranging from natural to medical to help with the symptoms of apnea.

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Change in Lifestyle

Sometimes a simple change in lifestyle is all that is needed for sleep apnea cures. If you smoke, it is recommended that you quit because the smoke irritates your respiratory system which already becomes blocked due to the apnea. By quitting smoking you may reduce the irritation to your respiratory system.

Alcohol can also interfere with how you breathe while sleeping and increase the effects of the apnea. Alcohol can help induce sleep but the second half of the sleep period is disrupted. Thus, the person awakens fatigued.

If you are overweight, consider changing your diet to healthier eating and include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Talk to your physician about exercises you can do that will strengthen your respiratory system. This can be one of the best sleep apnea cures.

Body Positioning

One of the simplest treatments for sleep apnea is to adjust the way you are sleeping. It may take a few different attempts to learn the most optimum way for you to position your body, however, once you have found the best positioning you will notice a difference in sleeping.

Sleep on your side and avoid lying flat on your back. It is best to position your head so that it is level with your body. A special sleep apnea pillow will be beneficial for positioning your head in the correct way. You may also wish top place a pillow between your knees which improves the symmetry of your lower back.

Medical Treatments

The most common treatment is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). The machine is a pump that forces a continuous air stream into your airway through a face mask, which you wear while you are asleep. The steady force of air keeps the airways open. This can sometimes be annoying as it may dry your nostrils. However, there are accessories that will reduce this problem.

For severe cases of sleep apnea, your physician may recommend surgery. The surgery is typically the last recommendation many physicians will suggest. The procedure is done to remove possible obstructions, remove tissue at the back of your throat or widen airways.

There are studies being done on a regular basis to find more effective treatments and sleep apnea cures. It does appear that those suffering with the disorder have found the most effective treatment is a change in lifestyle. Changes in lifestyle are the ones most often recommended on Memory Loss Facts.com

If you have tried all of the natural forms of treatment and are still experiencing sleep apnea, it is important that you visit a physician for recommendations of sleep apnea cures that may be beneficial for you and your particular symptoms of the disorder.

IMPORTANT: It is good practice for your family physician to order a sleep study. This will involve you going to a sleep clinic where you will spend the night. Your EEG, breathing rate, muscle tension and overall sleep pattern will be monitored and the data will allow the doctors to make an accurate diagnosis. Thus, a proper treatment program can be recommended.

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Also see What is Sleep Apnea

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For more information about this topic consider these resources :

American Sleep Apnea Association: Treatment Options

Mayo Clinic: Sleep Apnea

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