Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where a person’s breathing is interrupted while asleep, can pose serious health risks and even lead to long-term health complications when left untreated. It can increase the risk of getting heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Most people often disregard this condition because most of the symptoms, such as loud snoring and heavy breathing, are common sleeping scenarios that happen when you sleep soundly on your bed mattress. Hence, the little chances of getting noticed nor remembered when awake.
The good news is it can be treated upon the advice of your primary care doctor. After consultation and diagnosis, here are some methods you can do to prevent it from happening again:
Assess your current lifestyle
Prevention of sleep apnea would require a drastic shift in your day-to-day lifestyle. Studies show that obesity and excessive alcohol consumption are two of the most common indicators linked to this sleeping disorder. Therefore, living an active lifestyle and cutting back on alcohol intake would greatly reduce the symptoms and even prevent it from worsening.
Go for therapy
Whether your situation is mild or severe, investing in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine will always be a wise move. This machine automatically blows oxygenated air into your airways through a mask and a tube to avoid the occurrence of habitual, loud snoring, which is essentially the cause of heaving breathing. Although some people find it tiresome and extremely uncomfortable to wear when asleep, especially when you lie restfully on the best bed mattress, it is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to resolve your sleep troubles.
Wear oral devices
Mouthguard-like dental appliances such as oral mandibular advancement devices are easy to use. They can be personally made to prevent your tongue from blocking the throat and keep the airways open during sleep. This should be worn within the entire duration of your sleep and should be immediately taken out when you wake up the next day. To ensure that you get maximum guidance, seek a medical opinion from your oral care specialist to check whether this method is a good option for you.
Undergo surgical treatments
Surgical treatments are the best bet for those who find CPAP and oral appliances too tedious and irritating. There are common surgical options for sleep apnea depending on the severity of your condition:
- Nasal surgeries for patients suffering from nasal obstruction;
- Upper airway surgeries which include removal of extra tissue from the upper airway;
- Lower pharyngeal and laryngeal procedures which involve alteration of the palette and mouth structure; and
- Tracheostomy permits the lungs to inhale air from a hole in the throat.
If you have been experiencing any symptoms such as morning headaches, choking at night, daytime sleepiness, troubled sleeping, and loud snoring, it is best to promptly call your healthcare specialist to make sure that you get immediate treatment if needed. Whichever method you choose, always make sure you find a solution that works for you and your body. Aside from the oral devices and treatments, it also pays to invest in a good, high-quality bed mattress to give you an optimum sleeping experience.
