If you are suffering from sleep apnea in Baytown, then you are losing more than just sleep. Your overall health is also at jeopardy. Thus, any steps that can be taken to overcome the condition should be highlighted. Along with receiving treatment from your dentist for sleep apnea, there are modifications you can make in your diet that will foster better health. Learn what foods are best for you!
Sleep Apnea Explained
A person suffering from sleep apnea will have several lapses in breathing while sleeping. This can trigger the brain to send distress signals that cause the person to awaken several times throughout the night, leaving him or her feeling lethargic and irritable the next day.
The most common type of apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which occurs when there is a partial blockage of the airway. Two of the main contributors are increased neck girth and the tongue falling to the back of the mouth while sleeping.
How OSA is Usually Treated
The first step to treating OSA is to be properly diagnosed to eliminate any guessing. For milder cases, your sleep dentist may recommend an oral appliance to be worn at night that helps to reposition your jaw to keep your airway open.
For more acute cases of OSA or Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – which is more of a neurological dysfunction – a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be used in conjunction with an oral appliance to provide the best results.
How Food Selections Can Supplement Your Treatment
The foods you eat can play a significant role in overcoming sleep apnea for two reasons:
- Making the right food selections can help to reduce weight in cases where obesity is a contributor to OSA.
- Certain foods are conducive for inducing sleep and reducing any mucous buildup that could contribute to poor breathing.
The Foods You Should Eat
Here are some of the foods you should consider eating:
- Cherries – Because they contain melatonin – a sleep inducing hormone, cherries are excellent to eat before bedtime.
- Seafood – High in omega-3 fatty acids, which also aid in the production of melatonin, seafood is better to eat than proteins like beef or pork before retiring for bed. It is also easier to digest, which means your body won’t have to work so hard while you’re sleeping to process the nutrients.
- Turkey – Have you ever wondered why you get so sleepy over the holidays after eating a serving of turkey. It’s because it contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which eventually converts into melatonin.
Along with receiving the expert care of your dentist in Baytown, making changes in your diet will help you recover from sleep apnea so you can get the rest your body needs to function at its best.
About the Author
A product of Baytown, Dr. Dean Hutto earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. He has since gone on to notch nearly 30 years of care. Along the way, Dr. Hutto has remained an avid learner, receiving advanced training from such prestigious organizations as The Dawson Institute and Spear Education. A member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, he helps patients overcome sleep apnea at Sleep Better Baytown, and he can be reached for more information through his website.