Sleep Apnea Prevention & Treatment

How to Prevent Against This

In many situations, sleep apnea is not preventable. Many people experience sleep apnea because of heredity and environmental risk factors. Nevertheless, measures can be taken to reduce the impact of problems related to sleep apnea.

To prevent sleep apnea, you need to maintain a healthy body weight. When a person is overweight, their windpipes can become constricted. Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces this risk.

You can also prevent symptoms of sleep apnea by keeping your allergies under control. Many people experience sleep apnea because of inflammation and problems related to allergies.

Lifestyle changes can be sufficient in regulating mild sleep apnea. Avoid alcohol and medications than cause drowsiness. These substances can interfere with the throat's ability to stay open when a person is sleeping. Sleep apnea patients should also avoid smoking.

Diet Tips

Obesity is a major cause of sleep apnea. When a person is overweight, their windpipe can become constricted, reducing air flow to the lungs. For this reason, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and balanced diet. If you are overweight, you can prevent and treat sleep apnea by getting in shape and losing weight. A dietician can work with you to create a diet plan that can help you lose weight.

Treatment & Relief Methods

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea patients must wear this device whenever they sleep in order to regulate air pressure in the throat. The CPAP machine is portable, so it can be used at home and during travel.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the windpipe narrows as a result of the muscles becoming relaxed during sleep. As a result, blood oxygen levels become lowered, and sleeping patterns are disrupted. The CPAP machine treats this problem by blowing air at a prescribed pressure. In general, a physician determines the prescribed pressure during an overnight sleep test in a sleep laboratory. This pressure will counteract obstructive sleep apnea and help maintain healthy sleeping patterns. Many patients will notice an improved quality of life after a single night's CPAP treatment.

Some patients with mild sleep apnea do not need CPAP treatments at all. Nasal sprays and allergy medicines can help keep breathing passages open.

A mouthpiece can help people keep their airways open by regulating the jaw and tongue. Mouthpieces may require frequent adjustments.

If sleep apnea is a result of an underlying neurological condition, the patient may need to take medication that facilitates breathing. These kinds of patients should avoid taking sleeping pills or sedatives.

Common Surgeries

Some sleep apnea patients need surgery to widen the airways. These surgical procedures generally involve removing, shrinking, and stiffening excess tissue. Surgical procedures for sleep apnea result in painful side effects. If you are considering surgery, it is important that you consult with a doctor.