If you have been told you have sleep apnea, you have likely heard of CPAP therapy as one of the most effective ways to treat sleep apnea.
Is it the right option for you?
There are some difficulties that come with CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It requires people to wear a mask while they sleep, and many people find this difficult.
CPAP therapy can make traveling inconvenient because it needs to be packed and brought wherever you go.
Don’t Leave Sleep Apnea Untreated
If you have sleep apnea, it might be tempting to leave it untreated. But if you do that, you are opening yourself to serious health risks, such as heart problems, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.
If you don’t want CPAP therapy, there are other possibilities you can explore for treatment.
Other Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea
None of these will provide a quick fix to your sleep apnea, but you can try lifestyle changes to help lessen the severity of your sleep apnea. These include:
- A different sleep position—especially if you have milder sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side can help. You can look into sensor technology for this—or simply sew a tennis ball on the back of your pajamas to keep you from lying on your back.
- Weight loss—even losing 10 pounds can help. The less fat you have on your neck, the better your airways are unobstructed.
- Exercise—better muscle tone can help lessen the severity of sleep apnea.
- Throat exercises.
Find Out More About Treating Sleep Apnea
Call your Nashville area sleep specialist Our Dentist for more information on treating sleep apnea. We look forward to hearing from you!
