AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea has consequence beyond feeling tired and drowsy. Sleep apnea also causes hypoxia in tissues that leads to oxidative and inflammatory damage. It is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and causes hypertension.

• Lose weight: Helps reduce the severity of the condition. Deal with underlying diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
• Exercising: Exercising may improve muscle tone in the upper airway and make it less likely to collapse during sleep.
• Avoiding alcohol and sedatives: Substances that relax the muscles in the airway can make sleep apnea worse.
• Sleeping on your side: Sleeping on your back can cause the airway to collapse, so sleeping on your side may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
• Eating a healthy diet: Eating a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in processed foods can help with weight loss and improve overall health.
• Practicing good sleep hygiene: Establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and electronics close to bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment can all help improve sleep quality.
• Using a humidifier: Dry air can aggravate sleep apnea symptoms, so using a humidifier can help keep the airway moist and reduce discomfort.
• Practicing breathing exercises: Yoga, meditation, and other breathing exercises can help strengthen the muscles in the airway and improve overall breathing function.
• Dental devices: Dental devices hold the tongue in place which prevents the throat from compressing. Some people prefer these over CPAP machines.
• Reduce congestion