Sleep is important! Due to the effects of poor sleep quality, it's common for people living with sleep apnea to experience difficulties in coping with day-to-day challenges. Here are a few strategies, from our Surrey dentist, to help you live well with sleep apnea.
If you think that you may be suffering from sleep apnea it's important to see a medical professional to have the issue diagnosed and treated. That said, there are also a few things you can try to help improve some of the negative side-effects of this common condition.
Living Healthfully and Improving Sleep Apnea
Improve Your Diet and Lose Weight
People who are overweight are more likely to experience sleep apnea. There is strong evidence to suggest that losing weight may significantly reduce sleep apnea symptoms in some people.
Typically patients find that losing weight becomes easier once they have been diagnosed and begin treatment for their sleep apnea! Why wait? Treatment can help you to get a good night's rest. Make an appointment with your dentist or doctor today to have your sleep apnea diagnosed so that treatment can begin.
Increase Exercise
Increased exercise is an excellent way to improve your overall health and help you to sleep at night.
Benefits of Increased Exercise Can Include:
- Less tension, depression and anxiety
- Weight loss
- Improved endurance
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved circulation
- Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke
- Increased exercise can also improve the overall quality of your sleep
Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine Near Bedtime
For people suffering from sleep apnea, alcohol and caffeine can worsen sleep issues .
It's a good idea to try avoiding alcohol and caffeine for at least 4 hours before going to bed, in order to help improve the quality of your sleep.
Patients suffering from sleep apnea who enjoy drinks containing caffeine or alcohol should try to drink these beverages earlier in the day.
Quit Smoking
You already know that there are countless reasons to quit smoking. If you suffer from sleep apnea you have yet another good reason to quit. There is an increased risk of sleep apnea in people who smoke.
If your sleep apnea is being treated with CPAP therapy, smoking may cause your nose to become irritated and stuffy, which can interfere with the effectiveness of your treatment.
Dental and Medical Care
If you are scheduled to undergo any type of procedure under sedation (anesthesia, “going under”) be sure to notify all of the medical and dental professionals caring for you, that you suffer from sleep apnea.
Bring your CPAP machine or dental device along with you if you will be staying in hospital overnight, and use your device as directed.