Millions of Americans experience the telltale signs of sleep apnea, including snoring, daytime drowsiness, and memory problems. But most don’t realize that they have it. Sleep apnea is most common in older adults and overweight people, but it can affect anyone of any age or weight. Here’s all you need to know about sleep apnea and the steps you can take to pre
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What is sleep apnea
It is a serious condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Breathing may stop for just a few seconds, or it could last up to several minutes. Repeated episodes of not breathing correctly during sleep can lead to numerous health issues, including stroke and heart attack. If you believe you might be suffering from sleep apnea, it’s important to consult your doctor. After an examination, your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist who can conduct additional tests and provide advice on treatment options that work best for you and your situation.
What causes sleep apnea
One of the main causes of sleep apnea is being overweight. When you have a lot of excess tissue in your neck and throat, it can push against your airway and block it. People who are overweight or obese may be at higher risk for other health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Losing weight through healthy eating and physical activity can help prevent or treat some of these conditions. It’s also a good idea to get regular checkups with your doctor. But you can try the following measures to cure or prevent sleep apnea.
Buy a CPAP Nasal Mask
If you suffer from sleep apnea, DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask might be a good investment. While there are many different types of masks available on the market today, they all serve to keep your airway open while you sleep and help prevent episodes of apnea. It can take some time to get used to wearing a CPAP mask at night, but it’s an important step in treating your condition and getting back to living without interrupted breathing. A dreamwear nasal mask offers you under a nose cushion and very little interference with your favorite activities. It also has a 360-degree swivel allowing freedom of movement in an attractive packaging.
Lose Weight
If you’re overweight, losing weight can make your sleep apnea symptoms disappear. That’s because as your body fat is lost, it takes space once occupied by fat-storing cells and opens up airways. In fact, in one study of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 80 percent lost weight, and their symptoms resolved.
Research also suggests that losing just 7 percent of your body weight can reduce snoring—the noise most commonly associated with OSA—by 50 percent in just four weeks. But a lower number on a scale doesn’t always correlate to better health; often, a loss of muscle mass accompanies weight loss and makes your body soft rather than svelte.
Regular Exercise
Exercise can help you fall asleep more easily. Exercising in the afternoon or evening can also help prevent insomnia by lowering your stress level and improving your mood. Plus, a morning exercise routine is a natural way to boost your metabolism throughout the day, helping you burn fat more quickly and efficiently. For best results, aim for three 20-minute workouts a week with at least one of those sessions on an empty stomach—you’ll have better results with weight loss if you do most of it early in the day before breakfast. Even something as simple as taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood will help you breathe deeply, which can make it easier to fall asleep.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition linked to higher risks of hypertension, stroke, obesity and heart disease. Take measures to keep yourself safe today!
