Natural Ways to Manage Sleep Apnea
Good sleep is important to keep your body healthy and fit. But there are certain disorders like sleep apnea that disrupt the sleep pattern in people. In this condition, a person’s brain and body do not receive enough oxygen at night. It can cause breathlessness, which forces you to wake up frequently. Furthermore, the condition can cause various other complications, including elevated blood pressure and heart ailments. There are many natural ways to manage sleep apnea, and a few of them are mentioned below:
Prevent obesity
Maintaining a healthy body weight is the key to managing the symptoms of sleep apnea. The fat deposition in the tissues surrounding the upper airways obstructs the flow of air. The problem can further lead to the sudden cessation of breathing in sleep. Additionally, losing weight also helps in eliminating the disease.
Quit smoking and drinking habits
Among the natural ways to manage sleep apnea, there is a lot of stress given to eliminating alcohol and cigarette from lifestyle. This is due to the fact that smoking leads to inflammation in the upper airway, which increases the symptom of sleep apnea. Furthermore, alcohol reduces the muscle tone present in the back of the throat that causes interruptions in airflow, aggravating breathing problems and symptoms of sleep apnea.
Monitor your allergies
There is a direct link between nasal allergies and sleep apnea. Allergies lead to swelling along the upper throat that makes the nasal passage narrow, causing problems while breathing and during sleep. Trying out a Neti pot or taking over-the-counter nasal decongestants before sleep can help in improving airflow. They help in lowering inflammation and deposition of fluid in the nasal chamber.
Sleep sideways
In the list of natural ways to manage sleep apnea, correcting your sleeping posture also makes a lot of difference. The symptoms of sleep apnea worsen when people sleep on their backs. Including a body-positioning pillow is helpful in maintaining the posture while sleeping, so that enough oxygen is received in the upper airways and patients have a good sleep. Furthermore, elevating the head of the bed is also beneficial in reducing the symptoms and improving oxygen saturation in the body.
Hit the gym every day
The natural ways to manage sleep apnea also comprise of undertaking any form of exercise regularly. Exercising helps in boosting the level of energy in the body, strengthening the heart, and decreasing the symptoms of sleep apnea. Additionally, you can also try yoga as it helps in building respiratory strength and boosting the flow of oxygen in the blood, leading to better sleep.
Altering your lifestyle and eating a healthy diet can help you manage the symptoms of the disease well and getting to the next stage.