Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea—and even worse, several million more cases of the condition remain completely undiagnosed and untreated! And whether it’s you or your partner struggling to get enough sleep each night, you might be wondering if there are any possible solutions for remedying the issue. While the best thing you can do is opt for sleep apnea therapy, there are also a few other useful items that might prove useful for those afflicted with sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn more.
Why It’s Important to Treat Sleep Apnea
In short, sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects much more than just how much sleep you get every night. While symptoms like snoring and sleep disruption might seem somewhat innocent, sleep apnea can lead to some pretty serious consequences if left untreated.
Daytime fatigue and impaired mental function are a few common side effects that can certainly put you in danger, but if sleep apnea remains unaddressed, it can ultimately lead to things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.
That said, seeking professional sleep apnea treatment is often the absolute best course of action for managing the condition. Two of the most common solutions include CPAP machines and custom-made oral appliances, both of which are capable of encouraging proper airflow during sleep and reducing the amount of sleep disruption that occurs.
Gift Ideas for Loved Ones with Sleep Apnea
If you have a loved one who’s suffering from the condition (and in turn, causing you to miss out on sleep), the best thing you can do is encourage them to undergo a sleep study so that they can begin receiving professional care. Additionally, some gift ideas you might consider giving them include:
- Sleep noodle – A sleep noodleis a fanny pack-looking device that’s worn during sleep. It’s proven to assist with positional therapy, meaning that it trains you to sleep on your side, which keeps gravity from pulling against your airway muscles.
- CPAP pillow – CPAP pillows are designed to keep you in a relaxed sleeping position due to their unique shape. These pillows are made from a variety of breathable and comfortable materials that help patients fall asleep and stay asleep. They also feature cutouts to accommodate the sleeper’s CPAP mask.
- White noise machine – Whilethis isn’t exactly a sleep apnea or snoring solution, it can still benefit you and your partner since it’ll mask the sound of loud, disruptive snoring!
Sleep apnea is more than just snoring and sleep disruption; since it has the potential to escalate toward serious health issues, it’s always going to be in your and your partner’s best interests to seek treatment and manage the condition.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto has proudly served patients and families in his hometown of Baytown for several years! His practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including sleep apnea treatment. If you have any questions about the article or you need to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact Dr. Hutto through his practice’s website or over the phone at (281) 422-8249.