Although some sleep apnea treatments are expensive, there are many things you can do to combat the disorder at little to no cost. Since it’s largely preventable and is often caused by a person’s own lifestyle choices, you can effectively fight sleep apnea from the comfort of your own home. Combined with the treatments given to you by Dr. Beshar, your ultimate relief from sleep apnea is largely in your own hands.
Healing Sleep Apnea: A Personal Journey
We look to our doctors to guide us to the right treatment solutions, but our own actions often determine whether the problem improves or regresses. For complex disorders like sleep apnea, much of the responsibility lies on the patient to make decisions that improve their health. This is because the major treatments like oral appliances manage the symptoms of sleep apnea, but the heart of the problem typically derives from the patient’s lifestyle. Only by making these personal life changes can we permanently eliminate sleep apnea altogether.
Fighting Sleep Apnea from the Comfort of Your Own Home
The exact actions you take to combat your sleep apnea are up to you, but some are virtually guaranteed to improve your condition. Obesity is such a major factor in sleep apnea that overcoming that obstacle is an excellent place to start. If you’re suffering from the effects of sleep apnea, try these tips to manage, and ultimately put an end to the menacing sleep disorder.
Skip the Alcohol and Tobacco
One of the best ways to fight your sleep apnea is to avoid the substances that aggravate the disorder. Most notably, this includes alcohol and tobacco, but other drugs that relax the back of the throat are also to blame. While giving up alcohol and tobacco will be harder for some people than others, it’s a necessity for clearing a blockage that causes the disorder.
Sleep on Your Side or Belly
When dealing with the debilitating reality of sleep apnea, it helps to sleep anywhere but on your back. The reason for this is that sleeping on your back causes your tongue and soft palate to block airflow. If this is a difficult adjustment for you, focusing on the other steps should lessen symptoms to a point where you can sleep on your back again unencumbered.
Commit to a Lean, Healthy Diet
The biggest factor in eliminating obesity is to only allow high quality foods into your body. While there are dozens of diets proclaiming to help you shed pounds, minimizing fast food and processed foods is a good place to start. Once your dietary decisions are consistently improved, you’ll notice the pounds starting to drop off. From there, breathing becomes easier and eventually your sleep apnea will be a thing of the past.
Develop an Exercise Routine
The other half of conquering the obesity problem is to exercise regularly. Working out burns calories, boosts your metabolism, and keeps your muscles and heart strong. If you’re not fitness savvy, here are some easy ways to get exercise near your own home:
- Go on your favorite hike or try some new trails
- Find a bike path in your city and try it
- Invite friends for tennis, basketball, or a walk
- Get involved in a walking or jogging club in your city
- Join a new local gym or Yoga studio that suits your personality
- Try a Groupon for a fitness activity
However you get your exercise in, it’s important to know that it’s a key component to shedding pounds and eliminating your sleep apnea for good.
Let Dr. Marc Beshar Help You Conquer Your Sleep Apnea!
Overcoming sleep apnea is a personal challenge, but Dr. Marc Beshar can help you control the disorder with treatments that are proven effective. Much of the battle to lose weight and manage your sleep apnea may be done on your own, but with the immense knowledge of Dr. Beshar on your side, you’ll have a substantial advantage. Contact Marc J. Beshar Dentistry to find out how we can help!