Does loud snoring keep you or your partner up at night? You may be dealing with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea happens when the muscles in the throat relax, obstructing the airway and causing irregular breathing patterns that lead to snoring, snorting, and gasping. Sleep apnea affects your health, quality of life, and even productivity. That’s why obstructive sleep apnea treatment is crucial.
There are several ways to treat sleep apnea. The first option is to make lifestyle adjustments. Losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and quitting smoking can help reduce the severity of sleep apnea. Another method is to sleep on your side and elevate your head to keep your airway open.
If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may suggest using a device like a continuous positive airway pressure CPAP machine. This machine pushes air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth to force open the airway.
Surgery may also be necessary to remove excess tissue from the throat and widen the airway. Oral appliances that keep the jaw or tongue in a forward position may also improve breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea treatment can help improve your sleep quality and overall health. If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, seek medical advice immediately. Don’t let sleep apnea ruin your life Ð take action today.