Are you struggling with sleep apnoea? This condition means that while you are sleeping and your body is in a relaxed state, you suddenly stop breathing. When this happens, the sufferer is normally jolted awake and gasping for breath. Other suffers don’t even realise it is happening. This can happen more than once during a sleep cycle and can lead to many other health issues.
- Depression
- Memory loss
- An increased risk of coronary issues
- Anxiety and other mental health problems
Sleep apnoea can occur for lots of reasons, although primarily it is directly linked to obesity and weight issues but also injuries, like ones sustained whilst serving in the military – want to know how is sleep apnoea rated by veterans affairs? Click the link to find out more.
If you suffer from sleep apnoea or you’re worried that you are, then seeking help from your doctor is crucial so you can get a diagnosis and subsequent treatment. But, what else could you do to improve your condition and get a good night’s sleep? Read on for some simple tips that may help.
Reduce your weight/maintain it
As sleep apnoea and weight issues go hand in hand, it makes sense that you consider changing your weight and maintaining a healthy one. Consider more exercise, reducing your salt and sugar consumption, eat more fruit and veg and drink more water. Of course, any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle should be met with your doctor’s approval first.
Try some breathing exercises
Sleep apnoea occurs to the lack of oxygen levels in your blood. Therefore, engaging in activities that improve your oxygen levels will certainly help. Consider trying a little yoga, diaphragmatic breathing exercises and even meditation.
Reduce your alcohol intake
We all like a glass of wine after a hard day, and a beer or two to relax with on the weekends. However, your tipple of choice could be impacting your ability to sleep and making your sleep apnoea worse. When we drink alcohol, the muscles in our throat relax – this is usually why we snore after a night of drinking – this can severely exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnoea, so reducing your alcohol intake will hopefully make a difference.
Don’t sleep on your back
Sleeping on your back can trigger sleep apnoea, so consider sleeping on your side instead and see if it makes a difference. Consider talking about sleeping positions with your doctor.
