Are you suffering from chronic fatigue because of your sleep apnea in Baytown? Among other side-effects, this disorder can make it difficult to wade through your day-to-day life because you’re not able to get the rest your body needs. In most cases, this condition goes undiagnosed and can result in serious health complications such as memory loss, an increased risk of heart failure, mental health issues, and a weakened immune system. For these reasons, it’s vital to diagnose and treat sleep apnea before it impacts your wellbeing. Read on for some home remedies that could be the key to a great night’s rest.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
One of the main causes of sleep apnea is obesity in the upper body. When there’s an excessive amount of fat collected around the neck, it can contribute to airway obstruction and narrow nasal passages, resulting in sporadic breathing episodes. When you maintain a healthy weight, you can clear your airways and reduce symptoms caused by your sleeping disorder. Occasionally, losing weight even helps patients completely cure their sleep apnea.
Adjust Your Sleep Position
One reason your sleep apnea symptoms could be frequently occurring is because of the position you’re sleeping in. In 2006, a study found that the majority (over 50 percent) of patients with obstructive sleep apnea depends on the position they’re in. When patients sleep on their backs, it can increase snoring and cause blocked airways. To combat this, try sleeping on your side to help your breathing improve.
Place a Humidifier in Your Bedroom
Humidifiers can be a great tool to help add some moisture to the air and reduce inflammation in your body. This can result in opened airways, less congestion, and clear breathing. Plus, it may help eliminate allergy symptoms like waking up with a dry throat. To make your room smell good, promote a better quality of rest, and other added benefits, try adding essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. Remember to routinely clean your humidifier according to the instructions to prevent mold and bacteria from growing.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Bad habits such as consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and smoking cigarettes can cause your sleep apnea symptoms to worsen. Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles and makes it difficult to control breathing, causing snoring and regularly interrupted sleep. It can also cause inflammation that blocks your airflow. Tobacco use can also cause inflammation and worsen your snoring.
The best way to treat your sleep apnea symptoms is to visit your nearest sleep medicine doctor to get a diagnosis so you can start seeking treatment. Some common ways that patients combat the side-effects of their condition is by using a CPAP machine.
Most patients end up limiting their use of the CPAP machine because they consider it obstructive and loud, making it even more difficult to sleep. With a sleep appliance in Baytown, you can open your airways without interrupting your sleep. It’s basically a retainer you wear at night. To get this convenient and effective treatment, be sure to schedule a visit with your dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto has dedicated his career to helping his patients get the quality of rest that they’ve been missing out on. He is a member of several professional organizations such as the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the Southwestern Society of Oral Medicine, and many more so he can stay up to date with the latest findings in his field. He looks forward to providing his patients with individualized treatment that improves their daily lives. For questions or to schedule an appointment so you can improve your quality of sleep, visit Sleep Better Baytown’s website or contact 281-422-8248.