Sleep apnea is a frustrating and uncomfortable medical condition that can have serious consequences for your health and quality of life if left untreated. Fortunately, there are a few effective methods you can practice at home that may help reduce your symptoms, and your dentist will be happy to help you find lasting relief with comfortable oral appliance therapy. Here’s a quick look at what sleep apnea is, a brief overview of a few potential home remedies, and how your dentist can help.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a health condition characterized by the airway becoming restricted due to the weight of the tissues in the neck when they relax during sleep. This will cut off the brain’s supply of oxygen, which will cause it to send a distress signal to the rest of the body, resulting in the patient suddenly waking up for lack of breath. This can happen more than a hundred times a night in severe cases, and it can lead to serious consequences like:
- Grogginess
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Overeating
- Depression
- Reliance on stimulants like caffeine or nicotine
- Falling asleep while operating heavy machinery like cars
What Are a Few Effective Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea?
Many patients find they can reduce their sleep apnea symptoms using methods like:
- Keeping their heads elevated while asleep: Propping your head up with pillows or cushions or sleeping in a recliner will allow gravity to pull the weight of your neck away from your windpipe, which can make it easier to breathe.
- Avoid alcohol for a few hours before bed: Alcohol is a muscle relaxant, so it can make it easier for the tissues of your neck to put pressure on your windpipe.
- Exercise regularly: Frequent workouts will teach your cardiovascular system to work more efficiently, which will make it easier to breathe.
- Quit smoking: Tobacco use makes it harder for your lungs to draw oxygen from the air. Quitting this habit can make it easier to breathe properly when you sleep.
- Aromatherapy: Some patients find that lavender oil or another pleasant-smelling product makes it easier for them to sleep.
How Can My Dentist Help?
While many people associate sleep apnea treatment with awkward and noisy CPAP machines that use pressurized air to keep the windpipe open, many dentists prefer to address the problem with noninvasive oral appliances. These devices are designed to hold the jaw in a forward position, which can make it harder for the windpipe to become restricted during sleep.
Don’t let sleep apnea deprive you of the rest you need to enjoy pleasant and productive days. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to address this problem.
About the Practice
Dr. Erin M. Prach earned her dental degree at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and received advanced oral surgery training in Guatemala. She is proud to have the “Qualified Dentist Designation” from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and she is a proud member of the American Dental Association. Her office in Casper offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as sleep apnea treatments. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, contact her office online or dial (307) 337-4770.