Treating Sleep Apnea Through Lifestyle Changes
Sleep apnea robs you of your rest, and possibly does the same for people sleeping near you. However, if you’ve researched the sleep apnea treatments that are available, you have probably noticed that they can be expensive and initially uncomfortable. One of the most widely-used measures, CPAP, requires you to use an expensive machine that rests on your face while you sleep.
Fortunately, CPAP is not the only solution. At Hardin Advanced Dentistry, we prefer to prescribe a mouthguard that helps keep your throat open while you sleep, preventing many of the most alarming and unhealthy symptoms from occurring. But this is not the only way. Sleep apnea is frequently associated with unhealthy lifestyle choices that make it easier for your throat to close up during sleep. By changing these behaviors, you may be able to rid yourself of sleep apnea.
Some lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your chances of sleep apnea include:
- Losing weight, which gets rid of excess tissue in your neck and throat
- Quitting smoking, which is thought to inflame throat tissues
- Reduce alcohol intake, especially just before you go to sleep
- Avoid sedatives, which can relax the muscles in the back of your throat
- Exercise regularly, as it can strengthen the muscles around your airway
- Have regular sleep hours, as it will improve your quality of sleep
Of course, in many cases sleep apnea is inherited, or simply a fact of life you can do little to change. In these cases, it’s best to go to a dentist with proper training in treating sleep apnea, like the ones at Hardin Advanced Dentistry. We can offer several options for treating your condition, and want to work with you to find the one that suits you best.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a sleep apnea dentist from Hardin Advanced Dentistry, fill out a form on this page or call (513) 234-5531. We serve patients in Dayton, Cincinnati, Mason, and the surrounding areas.
