Loud snoring characterized by frequent awakenings at night, and a feeling of tireness during the day, could indicate sleep apnea. It is a dangerous yet very common condition. Although it is not easy to cure, there are things that can help.
Symptoms of sleep apnea:
If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to headaches, high blood pressure, weight gain, depression, irritability, memory troubles, sexual dysfunction, irregular heartbeats and other cardiovascular problems.
During a spell of sleep apnea, the affected person is unable to breath, which means his oxygen levels fall dramatically. As soon as the brain registers, the person wakes up gasping for air. Unfortunately the dreadful cycle repeats itself as soon as the person falls asleep again. The scary truth is that it easily happens hundreds of times in just one night!
The Causes:
- Either there is an obstruction to the airway that stops oxygen from entering the lungs;
- Or the brain fails to send the necessary signals to the muscle that allows oxygen to pass through, causing the windpipe to collapse.
- On many occasions the build up of fat or poor muscle tone from aging is the culprit.
- For some people the cause is hypothyroidism, (underactive thyroid) and they need to be properly medicated.
Treatment options:
While there isnt yet a quick fix or medical intervention that is guaranteed to help everybody, there are a few applications and adjustments that have proven in many cases to yield great success.
2. Lifestyle
- - Weight loss
- - Regular sleeping times
- - Sleeping on your side with the aid of a sleep pillow
- - Avoiding alcohol and quitting smoking
2. Surgery
- This is reserved for some individuals who have a serious blockage of the throat possibly by enlarged tonsils or polyps.
3. Dental Appliances
- A variety of dental appliances can be worn in the mouth during sleep to reposition your lower jaw and tongue and keep your airway open.
4. Herbs
These three herbs have been researched and are made available as specific herbal remedies. The success of this combination is due to its ability to aid sleep without any of the side effects you may have from conventional or medical drugs. Synergeticaly they work to calm nerves, lessen anxiety, restlessness, irritability and to promote sound sleep.
- 'Passion flower' - 'Passiflora incarnata'
- 'Valerian' - 'Valeriana officinalis'
- 'Hops' - 'Humulus lupulus' www.ageless.co.za/herb-hops.htm
5. Reflexology
- Massaging certain pressure points underneath the feet, can help to stimulate the necessary parts of the body responsible for areas relating to breathing, relaxing the nervous system and balancing all the functions in the body that are all connected and dependant on each other. www.banyanstudio.net/reflexology/#sleep
6. Aromatherapy
A relaxant effect on mind and body can be achieved by using certain oils. The oils can be added to warm bath water and inhaled while you relax.
The follwing aromatherapy oils are known for their ability to calm, sooth and relax you, thereby aiding sleep:
- Benzoin (Styrax benzoin);
- German and Roman chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemele nobile);
- Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis);
- Lavender (Lavendula officinalis);
- Neroli (Citrus aurantium amara)
- Essential oils can alleviate some of the symptoms through receptors in the skin and the nose.
Get more sleep:
Sleep disturbances rob you of the vital component of life, which is proper rest! While you are investigating the best solution to help relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea, remember the following tips:
- Have a specific bed time, as routine helps to promote the expectation of rest.
- Have your dinner at least 2 hours before bed time so that digestion does not disrupt sleep.
- Avoid any stimulants before bed time.
- Any light snacks should be had at least an hour before bed time.
- Read a book before going to bed instead of staring at a computer or television set as the latter disrupts sleep patterns.
Caution:
Taking sleeping pills is dangerous as they will most likely prevent you from waking up to start breathing again! Please not that any treatments you decide on should be discussed with the relevant health expert.
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