Snoring may be a laugh in a cartoon, but in real life, it can be a symptom of devastating sleep apnea. Snoring interferes with breathing and oxygen flow, causing the person to wake many times as they sleep.
Disturbed sleep is linked to many other health problems, including depression, moodiness, weight gain, and more. Sufferers of sleep apnea can do something to enhance medical treatment. The following home remedies may assist in reducing snoring, assist breathing, and keep a sufferer of sleep apnea from waking during sleep.
==> Do not eat or drink two hours before going to bed.
==> Go to the bathroom before going to bed.
==> Raise the "head" end of your bed about four inches. Bricks, a large book, or some wooden blocks may do the job if they are large and sturdy enough. Make sure the bed will not fall off these supports, resulting in injury. If you do not want to raise your entire bed, just raise your mattress.
==> Elevate yourself with extra pillows. Laying flat on your back can aggravate sleep apnea by causing your airway to collapse, obstructing your airway, and promoting snoring. Propping yourself up with extra pillows may help keep this from happening.
==> Sleep on your side rather than sleeping on your back. If it is difficult to remain on your side, think about placing a pillow or something behind your back, keeping you from rolling onto your back. Hugging a pillow is another way to keep you on your side.
==> Nasal strips that stick on the outside of the nose, opening the nasal passages may be of assistance to some people suffering with sleep apnea. They may feel a little uncomfortable and may look a little silly, but they do assist some people.
==> If you have allergies, change your bed linens regularly, removing allergens that may irritate nasal passages and promote snoring. Many people with sleep apnea also have allergies. Vacuuming the floor, curtains and anything else that can hold dust in the room will assist, too.
==> Take a decongestant or antihistamine if congested before going to sleep.
==> Give up smoking. Smoking irritates the throat and airway.
==> Gargle with peppermint mouthwash. This old-fashioned home remedy is believed to shrink the nose lining, opening the airway.
==> Drink nettle tea to sooth inflammation caused by allergies.
==> Lose weight. Losing weight can reduce or even stop your snoring.
==> Eat and live healthily.
==> Place a tennis ball in a sock and attach it to the back of your nightclothes. If you roll onto your back during sleep, it will be uncomfortable and your automatic response will be to roll on your side and off your back. After a while, muscle memory may keep you on your side. This may sound silly, but it is an effective home treatment for sleep apnea.
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