Sleep Apnea Alternative Treatment

Sleep apnea alternative treatment options can help to alleviate some of the sleeping problems you are having. It's important to know that sleep apnea is a very serious health condition which can lead to several life threatening illnesses, including heart disease, heart failure and high blood pressure. Be sure you talk with your doctor about the condition and follow all recommended procedures. Alternative treatments can help in addition to medical treatments.

Recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea.

By far the most effective way to improve sleep apnea is through changes to your lifestyle. Sleep apnea is often caused by an excessive amount of tissue around the airways in the throat. Overweight people are most at risk for sleep apnea if they have a larger sized neck.

Lifestyle improvements include modifications like the following:

• Regular Exercise: Exercise will help you lose weight. Exercise can also help you to improve blood circulation.
• Diet: Losing weight is one of the best ways to improve sleep apnea. This alternative treatment can help you to reduce the amount of fatty tissue located at the back of the throat and into the neck region. Doing so will keep airways open to allow for better breathing.
• Stop Smoking: Smoking constricts the airways. Don't smoke for at least several hours prior to bedtime. Doing so causes the airways to tighten in the neck, worsening sleep apnea.

Talk to your doctor about other lifestyle changes you may need. Those suffering from conditions like congestive heart failure, for example, can reduce the amount of sodium in their diet, which may help to reduce the amount of stored water weight throughout the body. This can help to improve sleep apnea in turn.

Another alternative treatment for sleep apnea may include homeopathy. Work with a professional in the industry. In homeopathy, sleep apnea is considered a sign of loss of energy. Often, diet is the first consideration with the removal of sugar and other potentially allergic foods.

There is some success with using lachesis and homeopathic opium for the treatment of sleep apnea. Homeopathic practitioners will determine which is appropriate depending on your personality.

Homeopathic opium is used for those who have a history of emotional and/or physical pain while lachesis is given to those that are charismatic, extroverted or angry.

There are several, unproven alternative treatment options available to those suffering from sleep apnea. Consider these for minor cases of sleep apnea.

• Prior to bedtime, gargle with salt water. It will reduce the size of the tonsils, improving airflow.
• Use an air humidifier at nighttime to make the air moister.
• Eliminate foods that product mucus including dairy and fruits like bananas for a period of two weeks. Symptoms may stop. Then, reintroduce them singly to see if symptoms come back.
• Chromium may be helpful in regulating insulin, which can improve sleep apnea
• Acupuncture may be helpful for improving sleep apnea.

One of the best treatments for sleep apnea is a device called a CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, device. The device keeps a slightly higher level of pressure (than the surround room) flowing into the nose and into the air passageways in your throat. The device keeps the airway open, therefore alleviating the sleep apnea condition and improving sleep. Some people do not like them or have trouble using them. There are alternatives available.

• Airway Pressure Devices: There are other airway pressure devices available that can work similar to that of a CPAP but with better results. For example, the Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure device, or BiPAP, is designed to apply more pressure when breathing in, while reducing pressure while breathing out. Some patients see better results with it.
• Oral Applications: Other devices are designed to bring the jaw bone forward. These fit within the throat/mouth. By moving the jaw forward, they open up the air passageway.

Talk with your doctor if you are having trouble with the CPAP devices, as there are various other options and adjustments available.

For those struggling with sleep apnea, having treatment options is important. There are some organizations that provide additional help, including finding doctors who specialize in sleep apnea, including these:

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine
• American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

• Sleep Requirements by Age
• Sleep Apnea Full Face Masks
• Foods Containing L-Tryptophan
• Why Is Sleep Important

• Pure Sleep
• Melatonin Forums
• How to Put Someone to Sleep
• Stop Snoring Mouthpiece
• How Long Can You Live Without Sleep

• Houston Sleep Apnea
• Central Sleep Apnea
• Tampa Sleep Apnea
• Symptoms Sleep Apnea
• Sleep Apnea Mood Swings