When your breathing is interrupted while you sleep, you might have the sleeping disorder known as sleep apnea. Most people who suffer from sleep apnea don't even know they have it. When left untreated, sufferers are deprived of a restful sleep and certain why.
Some symptoms of sleep apnea normally include:
- Waking up suddenly to fill the lungs with air.
- Choking
- Loud snoring
- Non-rhythmic breathing patterns
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
What can be done to treat sleep apnea?
Fortunately, there are minor forms of treatment for sleep apnea that can be performed on an individual basis and have been known to make a significant different in people who suffer from sleep apnea:
- Sleep according to a schedule. This allows your body to go through a normal sleep cycle which encourages regular breathing patterns.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach or back. When you sleep on your side, you're positioning your body that can help reduce the body's tendencies to reduce air flow into the lungs. Using a special sleep apnea pillow can help even more.
- Weight loss. Studies have shown that people who lose weight, approximately 10 percent, result in reduced sleep apnea behavior.
More significant forms of treatment for sleep apnea
If sleep apnea is more severe, then there are other means of treatment. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a sleep apnea machine commonly used to prevent airways from becoming narrowed or collapsed while sleeping. Technological advancements have made these devices more comfortable to use, but they do come at a high cost, sometimes reaching $1,000.
Another treatment for sleep apnea is the use of oral devices much like you would sleep an athlete wear a mouth guard. These devices help to adjust the lower jaw in such a way as to open the airway more.
Some severe cases may require more involved forms of treatment for sleep apnea. Surgery is one such option. By removing extra tissue from the airway, the passage is consequently opened more allowing for increase airflow. While this method of treatment can provide extended or even permanent positive results, there are risks involved like infection or perhaps even causing the condition to worsen.