Leaving Sleep Apnea Untreated? And How It Relates To Snoring and Sleeping Position

Imagine that you wake up every morning only to find yourself as worn out as if you had not slept in three days. 

You load up on coffee to attempt to force yourself into consciousness. 

Instead of curing your drowsiness, the extra caffeine just gives you the jitters on top of your exhaustion.

However, your partner wakes up rested and ready to tackle the day. 

You dig into a new workout hoping that the result will mean a better night’s sleep. 

In desperation, you add over-the-counter sleep medications. 

In the end, you just wake up more drowsy and more curious about what is going on.

Like millions of other Americans, you may have a condition called sleep apnea. 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to treat the condition, including home remedies for sleep apnea.

Sleep is essential for wellness. 

Sleeplessness is more than just an uncomfortable inconvenience. 

Lack of sleep itself is a threat to good health. 

Poor sleep is linked to a slew of health conditions. 

A lack of good sleep can lead to mistakes at work and on the road.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that a full third of American adults do not get a full night’s sleep. 

Adults over the age of 18 require a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night.

For adults suffering from sleep disorders, achieving the minimum of sleep each night can be a huge challenge.

Sleep apnea is an often undiagnosed sleep disorder that can affect all aspects of life. 

It is estimated that some 18 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. 

That translates to as many as one in 15 American adults. 

Even more troubling is the fact that some 80 percent of those cases are undiagnosed.

📎 What is Sleep Apnea?
📎 Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
📎 Untreated Sleep Apnea
📎 Diagnosis and Treatment
📎Home Remedies
📎Dietary Solutions for Sleep Apnea

For people with sleep apnea, a good night’s rest is often elusive. 

Sleep apnea occurs when normal breathing is paused. 

Breathing becomes shallow or stops altogether. 

Breathing pauses can last from seconds to several minutes and may occur as many as 30 times in an hour.

Sleep apnea can affect adults and children alike. 

Adult males are more likely to develop the condition. There are three types of sleep apnea.

As noted, sleep apnea goes undiagnosed in the majority of sufferers. 

Too often, sleep apnea is chalked up to just another bad night of sleep. 

The truth is certain symptoms of a rough night of sleep are also symptoms of sleep apnea.

The following symptoms are typical of all three forms of the disorder:

There are a few more symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. 

One of the most common is chronic snoring, although snoring does not always indicate OSA. 

Other symptoms include a need to get up and urinate several times in the night and a sore throat or dry mouth in the morning.

There are a few factors that can raise the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. 

Certain genetic characteristics like the size of the neck and position of the jaw, tonsils, tongue, and other tissue can be a cause of OSA.

Other factors include:

Being overweight raised the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

As many as 60 percent of OSA are obese or overweight. 

Extra weight can cause the airways to become more narrow.

Genetics plays a role in the risk of sleep apnea. 

A close relative with sleep apnea raises the chances that someone will develop the condition.

Smoking increases the risk of OSA.

The use of alcohol or sleep-inducing medications causes airway tissues to relax resulting in an obstruction.

Hypothyroidism or other hormonal disorders can contribute to the swelling of the airway.

Sleeping in the supine position, or on the back facing up, raises the risk of sleep apnea.

Sinus or nasal congestion.

While mild sleep apnea may not cause terrible issues, more serious forms of the condition can contribute to other major problems like raised blood sugar, higher blood pressure and heart rate, and the release of stress hormones. 

Each of these factors can contribute to long-term health issues such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

Although not everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea, many people discover that they have it after a partner or family member informs them that they snore loudly. 

Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed after a sleep study or with a simple home sleep apnea test kit. 

The test includes a visit to a sleep laboratory where you will spend the night. 

As you sleep, your vital signs will be monitored. 

Oxygen levels and breathing rates will be measured by special equipment.

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine or a continuous positive airway pressure machine. 

Humidified air flows through the nose forcing the mouth to stay open. 

The CPAP includes a mask that goes over the face.

There are a few things you can do for your sleep apnea at home. 

Home remedies for sleep apnea can be effective at reducing the symptoms of the condition.

Lose weight – Maintaining an ideal weight can help improve airflow. 

Losing weight reduces the pressure on the chest and inflammation. 

Additionally, exercise can improve sleep by releasing endorphins that help you relax.

Stop smoking – In addition to the many benefits of kicking the cigarette habit, when you stop smoking your sleep apnea can improve. 

Smoking causes your upper airways to swell. 

When you stop smoking you are reducing another possible source of airway obstruction.

Reduce or avoid alcohol – Alcohol use can contribute to weight gain. 

Alcohol also causes the muscles in the throat to relax resulting in snoring.

Change your sleep position – Studies have shown that sleeping on your back can raise the risk of sleep apnea. 

Side sleeping is better for sufferers. 

There are several sleep aids including sleep positioners that can help encourage sleeping on your side. 

Raising the top of the bed can also help.

Dental appliances – There are more than 100 dental appliances approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of sleep apnea. 

Oral appliances that push the jaw forward can help keep the airways open and reduce sleep apnea symptoms. 

These appliances are worn in the mouth overnight and resemble a mouth guard worn in contact sports.

Participants in a recent study that consumed certain foods had higher occurrences of moderate to severe sleep apnea. 

These foods not only affected obesity but also directly affected sleep apnea. 

People whose diets consisted of 35 percent or more of fat, processed meats, and dairy had higher incidences of sleep apnea.

There are a few foods that may help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. 

They include:

Honey is an anti-inflammatory that may reduce airway swelling. 

A tablespoon of honey taken right before bed can lubricate the throat.

Cinnamon may help relax the airways which means easier breathing.

Cinnamon can also promote relaxation.

Garlic is also a known anti-inflammatory that may help reduce swelling in the throat and air passages.

Chamomile is regarded as a solution for insomnia. 

The sedating properties of the herb may also help relax throat muscles and promote better breathing.

While sleep apnea should be monitored by a doctor or other health professional, treating the condition at home can reduce better symptoms and promote more restful sleep.