6 Lifestyle Remedies for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that interrupts your breathing for a short time while you are asleep. The disorder might wake you up suddenly due to the lack of oxygen and cause mental health issues, memory loss, heart problems, and deterioration of the immune system. Besides the various medicines and alternative treatments for sleep apnea, a few lifestyle changes can improve the condition. Here are some valuable tips. 1. Change your sleeping position Common advice given to most sleep apnea patients is to avoid sleeping on the back and sleep on the side instead. The reason: sleeping on your back can force your jaw to tilt backward, making it more difficult to breathe. If you find this difficult, use methods like tying tennis balls to the back of your pajamas to stop yourself from rolling over to your back. 2. Maintain a healthy weight Excess fat, especially in your upper body and around your neck, can make breathing difficult. The fat obstructs the airways and narrows the nasal passages, worsening sleep apnea symptoms. Hence, doctors suggest losing the extra weight, especially if you are obese. In a few instances, losing weight has cured sleep apnea completely. 3. Avoid alcohol and smoking Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles that control breathing.