Alternative Therapies That Can Help With Sleep Apnea

by Anne Rivera

As sleep disorders go, insomnia is probably the best known of all. Insomnia may have well earned its share of a bad reputation but there is another culprit out there, its less popular cousin sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical condition wherein while asleep, you intermittently pause breathing. It may be diagnosed as the more common type - obstructive sleep apnea which means that the path of the airflow is being obstructed and thus not working properly. On the other hand, there is the more rare type of sleep apnea – central sleep apnea, this condition happens because there is a delay in the brain’s stimulation of breathing. Both types usually go unobserved and may only be noticed by a bedroom companion. There are conventional methods of treating like the use of drugs and surgery. However, medication is not highly advisable since some drugs have various negative side effects. There are alternative therapies that can help with sleep apnea that may complement your medication (if you choose to take it) or may stand alone as your sole form of treatment.

Not-So Unconventional Cures

There are certain changes in behavioral practices that you can do to help cure your sleep apnea. Since a significant percentage of sleep apnea’s victims are classified as obese, a healthy balance of eating right and losing weight is necessary. Those extra pounds may be constricting your airway and losing a seemingly insignificant 10 pounds can mean less snoring or sleepiness for you. A form of exercise that is really good for treating sleep apnea would be yoga. Yoga is ideal for weight loss, hitting two birds at once since it also includes proper breathing techniques into the routines. Losing weight also means that you should start watching what you eat so go for food low in fat and stay away from those sweets. The same goes for alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs. These have a negative impact on your body’s level of oxygen and therefore should be avoided like the plague. As far as sleeping habits go, do try to sleep on your sides as lying on your back may cause your tongue to block your airway and obstruct your breathing. As much as possible, do use those pillows on your bed, they’re not just for decoration. These alternative therapies that can help with sleep apnea may actually seem more like common sense practices than alternative ones but there are those who abide by it. The next section draws attention to some more interesting suggestions.

More Options You Can Choose From

There are more alternative therapies that can help with sleep apnea, some you might want to try out, and others you may not believe in. Before you reject these, continue reading on, you might just get swayed. First on the menu is an amino acid that helps increase the body’s serotonin levels. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) will help your body produce the right amount of serotonin it needs so that your breathing is not disturbed through the night. It is a natural supplement that is taken orally and may be bought without prescription. Another option you can choose is to go for flower therapy. The essence of vervain reportedly helps calm people and relaxes in a way that would eventually lead them to sleep better. Other herbal remedies of a more radical nature includes homeopathy which calls for a homeopath to prescribe a treatment coinciding with the patient’s personality. Homeopathic treatments include lachesis – usually prescribed to talkative patients who seemingly are afraid of sleeping, opium – best for those who give in to sleep during the day, and sambucus – for those who have asthma and feel suffocated at night. Acupuncture is also cited by some as a possible way to treat sleep apnea.

A Dosage of Concern

Although these suggestions may seem more appealing on account that they are for the most part, non-invasive and usually less expensive, you should still consult suspicions of sleep apnea with your physicians. The alternative therapies that can help with sleep apnea do work to a certain extent but its effectiveness does not come as readily as that of conventional medication. On the other hand, intake of doctor prescribed drugs is usually not without risks. So do yourself a favor and have a feel for what type of treatment works best for you while at the same time keeping an open mind. There are certain small changes you may affect in your life that can help you ease the symptoms of sleep apnea and hopefully cure it in the long run.