Cure Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing starts and stops periodically throughout the night. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and obstruct breathing through the mouth. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send a signal to the lungs to expand and contract. Both are potentially dangerous conditions and should be monitored by a doctor while these natural remedies are used.
Sleep Masks
Sleep apnea masks are a natural way to increase oxygen to the brain while sleeping. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is a commonly used sleep apnea therapy. The masks are worn over your nose and mouth, and connected to a CPAP machine. The machine uses air pressure to force the air passages open in the event that they relax during the night. If the sleep mask comes off during the night, or the patient takes the mask off in his or her sleep, the CPAP method becomes uneffective.
Oxygen
Oxygen is used for central sleep apnea sufferers, where the brain does not signal the lungs to breathe in and out. According to the Mayo Clinic, the addition of supplemental oxygen can help patients get more oxygen to their lungs. This way, even if your brain does not tell your lungs to breathe, you will still be able to breathe with the help of the oxygen machine. If you have heart problems or heart failure, your doctor will probably suggest you take a medication if you have central sleep apnea, and not rely only on the oxygen supplement.
Lifestyle Changes
If you suffer from sleep apnea, your doctor will instruct you to lose weight and quit smoking, if necessary. Being overweight can induce sleep apnea, because the folds inside the throat can close more easily with the addition of excess weight. Your doctor may place you on a low-fat diet, and nicotine patches can be used instead of smoking. According to the Mayo Clinic, people that smoke are three times as likely to develop sleep apnea, and quitting smoking now can reduce your risk of getting sleep apnea in the future. Additionally, quitting smoking can reduce the effects of sleep apnea.
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