Six Non-cpap Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea at Home

Posted: Oct 22, 2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 370 | Bookmark and Share

Don't get me wrong, there is no substitute for CPAP when it comes to treating Sleep Apnea. The proper thing to do, if you suspect that you might have it, is to go to a sleep specialist and follow his instructions. He will probably recommend CPAP, surgery, or oral appliance therapy. This list is not necessarily an alternative to CPAP, surgery, or oral appliances, but rather supplementary methods that decrease the probability of airway collapse. Usually these methods are not enough to entirely eliminate apnea. Again, talk to your doctor before attempting to treat sleep apnea.
So here are the six ways:
1. Weight Loss  Unless you are extremely overweight AND your sleep apnea is mild, usually weight loss is not enough to entirely eliminate it. But it can definitely help. Weight loss is thought to improve apnea by changing the shape of the airway which decreases the probability of airway collapse.
2. Avoid Alcohol Before Bedtime  Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the airway, which worsens snoring and sleep breathing problems. The best advice is to abstain from alcohol, but if you insist on drinking make sure you leave sufficient time for your blood alcohol level to decrease to zero before going to bed.
3. Sleep On Your Side  Your bed partner may have already pointed this out to you: when you are on your side, your snoring improves. Sleeping on your back may increase the probability of airway collapse due to gravity's effect on the jaw and tongue.
4. Elevate the Head of the Bed  If you have sleep apnea, you may have noticed that you sleep better in your recliner. As with side-sleeping, it is thought that head elevation may improve sleep apnea by changing the conformation of the airway. A 30 to 60 degree elevation of the head of the bed may lead to improvement in sleep apnea.
5. Avoid Sleep Deprivation  There is evidence that sleep deprivation both prolongs breathing problems while sleeping and decreases the chances that you will wake-up from those problems. In other words, current scientific evidence suggests that sleep deprivation worsens sleep apnea. So get more sleep, and sleep breathing may improve.
6. External Nasal Dilation (Breathe Rite Strips)  May reduce severity of snoring but probably not effective at treating sleep apnea.
If you think you might have sleep apnea, then you should talk to a sleep specialist. If he suggests that you wear CPAP then DO IT. However, while your waiting to get your CPAP machine, or if you want to enhance your treatment of sleep apnea, then the above methods may help.

(ArticlesBase SC #66116)

Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1 vote(s)
    Feedback
    RSS
    Print
    Email
    Re-Publish

    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/six-noncpap-ways-to-treat-sleep-apnea-at-home-66116.html

    Article Tags:

    snoring

    ,

    Sleep apnea

    ,

    cpap

    ,

    sleep doctor

    Easier Treatment For Sleep Apnea

    This is a medical video which focus' on the advancements in treatment for sleep apnea. (01:28)

    Implants Help Sleep Apnea

    In this medical video learn how this tiny implant could be just what people with sleep apnea have been waiting for. (01:36)

    Sleep Apnea Surgery

    In this medical health video learn how a new surgical procedure could give millions of Americans the good night's sleep they've been dreaming of. (01:31)

    How to Deal with Sleep Apnea

    If you're tired all day despite sleeping all night, you may be suffering from the sleep-sapper known as "sleep apnea." Find out more! (00:57)

    What is Sleep Apnea

    Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during their sleep. The most effective way to treat this condition is with continuous positive airway pressure, also known as CPAP. (02:24)

    It is important to understand that dogs can not potty train themselves, just as kids can not potty train themselves. It gives advice on how to train your dog to go outside, where they can go potty and what happens if they don't go immediately. It also discusses the commands to use and appropriate techniques to achieve a learned behavior.

    By: Mike Deathe l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 22, 2010
    Mandi Hayes-Spencer

    Getting older is a trial of errors, sadness and tests of strength. When disease strikes a parent, you learn it's your turn to do the caretaking. How do you deal? Can you find the strength to do it with love, patience and sanity? In this article, get a look at one woman's struggles in dealing with a dad who has Alzhiemer's, the grief in the reality and comforting a mom who has become more of a caretaker then a wife.

    By: Mandi Hayes-Spencer l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 21, 2010

    Essay writing is the most common form of assignments within the educational curriculum and students are required to write many of them. These require much time if they are to be done to a high standard. Some students may lack the time, given the many demands on their lives. The trend of getting essay help from a professional writing service is becoming increasingly popular among students for these reasons. This article explores why students need essay help and how they can secure it.

    By: Shayane l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 19, 2010 l Views: 1

    Executive resumes are written for high profile jobs and this is why these resumes need to be power packed to get the attention of the recruiters at a first glance. If not, the chances of obtaining that certain position will be rather slim. This article explores various elements of an effective resume targeting an executive position and what unique features are to be noted in an executive resume.

    By: Shayane l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 17, 2010

    Resume writing needs effort and skills. These skills are yet to be sharpened in your attempts with the first resume. This is why most first time job seekers spend many unproductive hours on the task without satisfactory outcomes. What is important is to align the applicant's capabilities with the job requirements. Remembering this resume as a marketing tool can help write an effective resume. This article explores how to write your first resume in an impressive manner.

    By: Shayane l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 17, 2010 l Views: 4

    Resume writing needs effort and skills. This is why most job seekers spend many unproductive hours on the task without satisfactory outcomes. Writing a Military resume is even more difficult a task as the applicant's military experience needs to be translated in to compatible skill sets that align with a civilian job. For this purpose, there a resume writers that specializes in military transition resumes.

    By: Shayane l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 17, 2010 l Views: 1

    An MBA Resume aimed to highlight a Masters of Business Administration or an MBA degree qualification should be written in most outstanding manner. It should highlight the applicant's managerial qualities and skills and target them towards the job in context. As this resume is the first impression which prospective employers get of the applicants, writing it professionally and in high standards is an imperative.

    By: Shayane l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 17, 2010 l Views: 8

    When applying for jobs in government organizations a specialized resume termed as a Government resume. This is a complex resume writing task as resumes written for many government organizations or public service are not the same as the ones written for any other job. Therefore, if applicants wish to be considered for the job applied they need to ensure that the resume is written adhering to the special requirements of this employer category.

    By: Shayane l Writing > Non-Fiction l Mar 17, 2010 l Views: 3

    Choosing an MLM (multi level marketing) company can be somewhat daunting. The problem is that there are so many opportunities out there, some have the potential to be profitable, and some are scams...

    By: Scott l Business > Home Business l Nov 29, 2006 l Views: 185

    Obesity is one of the most common medical problems, particularly in the developed countries. Given the immensity problem, people are now motivated not only to lose weight, but to lose weight fast.

    By: Scott l Sports and Fitness > Fitness l Nov 15, 2006 l Views: 543

    With student loan consolidation, students can lower their monthly repayments, pay off any existing loans and have one monthly repayment instead of two to three, which will lower their stress levels and help them enjoy life again.

    By: Scott l Writing > Non-Fiction l Nov 14, 2006 l Views: 168

    There are many books available that suggest how to lose weight. All these books suggest various strategies. This article describes the number one weight loss tip.

    By: Scott l Sports and Fitness > Fitness l Nov 14, 2006 l Views: 298

    It is not easy to lose weight quickly. For a fast weight loss you must be extremely motivated and focused on your weight loss program. Fast weight loss is recommended for those people who have been suffering from obesity for a long time.

    By: Scott l Sports and Fitness > Fitness l Nov 13, 2006 l Views: 330

    Garage door installation doesn't have to be such a stressful situation.

    By: Scott l Home and Family l Oct 31, 2006 l Views: 673

    The pair of glasses that you recently purchased reflects a stronger prescription, have no-line bifocals and have been coated with a special substance to reduce glare. You would think that after wearing eyeglasses the majority of your life you would get used to them, but that does not seem to be the case.

    By: Scott l Writing > Non-Fiction l Oct 31, 2006 l Views: 197

    There are complications as a possibility in any form of surgery, but some of the complications from Lasik surgery can be alarming for the patients. The truth, however, about complications from Lasik surgery is a little different than a lot of people would have you believe.

    By: Scott l Writing > Non-Fiction l Oct 28, 2006 l Views: 154

    Add new Comment

     
    * Required fields
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    0