Reducing Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is said to affect an estimated 30 million adults in the United States alone. If you're looking for ways to reduce symptoms of sleep apnea, then you've come to the right place. The good news is since it affects so many people, sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder. If you have sleep apnea, you're not alone.

The bad news is, sleep apnea has been linked to several different major health problems. This can include everything from type 2 diabetes, to stroke, depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease. On top of sleep apnea being dangerous to your health, it's estimated that over 23 million cases of sleep apnea in adults go undiagnosed every year. This makes it more important than ever to stop symptoms of sleep apnea.

1. Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Healthy weights are calculated based your height and age. Obesity and being overweight have been linked to several negative health effects, including having sleep apnea. Scientific research published in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association indicates that weight loss is the optimal therapy for reducing the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea you can have.

2. Change Your Sleeping Position

There is a great deal of evidence that the position you sleep in has an impact on whether or not you may experience symptoms of sleep apnea. Studies show that sleeping on your back is the worst position for sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side can help reduce symptoms of sleep apnea by opening up the airways, allowing for better breathing during sleep.

3. Don't Smoke Cigarettes

Researchers in China have discovered a direct correlation between smoking cigarettes and obstructive sleep apnea. Cigarette smoking increases your chances of having sleep apnea, so the sooner you quit smoking, the less chance you have of developing it. If you already have sleep apnea, and you still smoke, cutting out the cigarettes is a sure-fire way to reduce sleep apnea symptoms.

4. Go To The Dentist

Because symptoms of sleep apnea are most often caused by blockage of your airway, you may want to consider getting an oral appliance from your dentist. This recommendation comes from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Oral appliances for sleep apnea work to move your lower jaw or tongue and keep them in their place while you sleep. This helps keep your airways open and makes it easier for you to breathe while you sleep.

5. Try Yoga

Yoga has proven itself to be good for several areas of health and wellness. You can even use yoga to get a better night's sleep in general. Practicing yoga regularly can help prevent symptoms of sleep apnea by strengthening your circulatory and respiratory systems. This makes it easier for you to breathe while you're awake or asleep by improving your oxygen levels over time. Yoga is also a good way to stay in shape and lose weight, which is one of the best ways to stop sleep apnea from happening.