Snoring and Sleep Apnea Natural Remedies
If snoring is interfering with your ability to get a good night’s sleep – you are not alone.
Recent studies indicate that 45 percent of normal adults snore occasionally, while around 30 percent of adults snore at least a few times a week. (That fact in and of itself is probably not of concern to most people.)
But, did you know that more than 40 million Americans – (one in seven people) — suffer from habitual snoring, according to a report by the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research?
Or worse yet, that another 7 to 15 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous extension of the snoring problem? (figures provided by the American Sleep Apnea Association)
What’s so bad about sleep apnea?
The bad news is that sleep apnea occurs when the throat closes up during sleep. This condition can be very dangerous – and may cause a higher risk for heart attacks.
Those with sleep apnea stop breathing when they are sleeping.
When does heavy snoring become sleep apnea?
A tell-tale sign of sleep apnea is heavy snoring followed by a stop in breathing.
The absence of air causes gasping. The breathing can stop for as little as ten seconds or as much as several minutes. Many sleep apnea sufferers wake up several times each night.
Overweight men of middle age or older are the most likely to suffer from sleep apnea, but others may also develop the condition.
What causes sleep apnea?
Smoking increases the chances of sleep apnea occurring as it tends to create congestion in the upper air passages and causes respiratory irritation.
Studies have also found that drinking alcohol before bedtime can make sleep apnea much more likely to occur.
(That’s because alcohol depresses the nervous system thus, relaxing the muscles in the air passages – this tends to increase snoring and enhances the possibility of a breathing stoppage.)
Allergic reactions can increase the development of sleep apnea. Known allergies need to be avoided. Anything that interferes with the respiratory system’s functioning and causes a congested nose or throat can increase the risks.
Overweight men are especially at risk. However, women can also develop the condition.
Is there a natural cure for sleep apnea?
Losing weight is one of the best natural remedies for sleep apnea. Most people who have the condition are overweight and losing weight has been shown to help sleep apnea dramatically.
(Technically, this has to do with excess fat deposits in the mouth of an obese person, which can limit breath and is exacerbated while lying down.)
Quitting smoking has also been shown to greatly decrease the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Breathing machines can be of great assistance for this condition. Their common goal is to keep the air passages open and they work in different ways:
CPAP machines blow a single pressure to keep passages open.
APAP machines adjust in a breath-by-breath basis to your ideal pressure level.
BiPAP machines blow 2 pressures: one to inhale and one to exhale.
What about just a snoring condition. What causes it?
Snoring happens when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissue to vibrate as you breathe. Snoring ranges from mildly irritating to extremely annoying. The causes of snoring vary from person to person. Chronic nasal congestion or a deviated septum can cause a person to snore.
Many people snore only when they are suffering from asthma attacks, allergy symptoms or a cold or sinus infection. Your mouth anatomy might be to blame for your snoring if you have a low, thick soft palate or enlarged tonsils or adenoids in the back of your throat.
Snoring is sometimes caused by consuming too much alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol acts as a sedative, relaxing throat muscles. Smoking also worsens the symptoms of snoring because it irritates the nasal passages.
People who are overweight are more likely to snore. A combination of diet and exercise will not only help you to lose weight and promote a healthier lifestyle overall, it will also lessen the chances of snoring.
Another leading cause of snoring is when airways become restricted, either in the throat or nasal area, which is very common among allergy patients. (Allergy sufferers who snore should make a diligent effort to rid their homes of any allergens, including dust, pet hair, cigarette smoke, etc.)
Is there a natural cure for snoring?
Sleeping on your side may help reduce the chances of snoring. When you are ready to turn in for the night, try sleeping on your side instead of your back. (Individuals who normally sleep on their back tend to have problems when their tongue or fatty tissues rest in the back of their throat and restrict breathing. When this happens, snoring is often induced.)
Many believe that marjoram oil provides just the right natural treatment for snoring. Often sold in a jar with a marjoram soaked sponge, the product is left open on the nightstand table. You can then inhale the pleasant oils as they gently surround the nasal passages.
Keep in mind, it’s common sense that a doctor should be consulted when chronic snoring (which can also involve sleep apnea) is observed – just to be sure it is not a symptom of something more ominous.
Also, natural supplements have recently come to the forefront that encourage free and clear breathing, such as Second Wind (from IVLProducts.com), a natural herbal approach to respiratory concerns, backed by modern science.
PS – If your partner’s snoring is keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep it is important to seek out a solution. Sleep deprivation is a common condition that affects 47 million Americans, or almost a quarter of the adult population. Symptoms can interfere with memory, energy levels, mental abilities and emotions. Exhaustion and fatigue affect our moods, causing pessimism, sadness, stress and anger. The National Sleep Foundation has suggested that social problems like road rage may be caused, in part, by a national epidemic of sleepiness.
About the Author
David Flores is a natural health researcher for Institute for Vibrant Living, a top retailer specializing in all-natural supplements, vitamins, and minerals for many health and nutrition challenges. To learn more about the products offered by the Institute for Vibrant Living visit http://www.ivlproducts.com
If you found this helpful you might like to visit http://www.theivl.org where you’ll find more free healthy living articles to help improve your health today.
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