Sleep apnea is a troubling disorder that will affects your sleep as
well as having some very negative consequences on your health and
well-being. This disorder can affect someone at any age and is
considered to be a degenerative condition when. When sleep apnea is
left untreated, the condition can become much more serious. There are
things that can be done to lower your risk of developing sleep apnea.
Those that are high in risk factors are much more prone to develop this
very difficult sleep disorder. There are certain methods people can use
to keep their risk for sleep apnea down.
Staying or getting into good shape is an important element to reducing
your risk for sleep apnea. Fatty tissues in the neck that are a direct
result of being obese are the leading cause of sleep apnea. This excess
tissue can obstruct the airway by putting weight on the esophagus,
which can lead to sleep apnea. It has been determined that having a
neck with a circumference of over 17 inches presents a significant risk
for contracting sleep apnea.
The use of depressants also increases the risk of developing sleep
apnea. Depressants such as alcohol and sleeping pills cause the throat
muscles to relax giving way to a possible airway obstruction. Alcohol
should be taken no sooner than four hours before bedtime for this
reason creating a lower chance of snoring and sleep apnea at bed time.
Smoking can also contribute to developing sleep apnea. Smoking causes
increased inflammation in the throat as well as fluid retention in the
upper airway. These two conditions can represent a serious airway
obstruction.
Some people that experience sleep apnea only do so when lying on their
backs at night. A conscious effort to sleep on one's side can be made
to help remedy the situation. Many different techniques may be
attempted such as sleeping with a pillow behind your back to prevent
you from rolling onto your back. Whatever your method is, find one that
works for you and stick with it.
Some of the most serious risks for sleep apnea can be reduced by
lifestyle changes. Other factors such as old age and a narrow air
passage cannot be adapted for and are unavoidable risks. If you suspect
that you have sleep apnea, get a proper diagnosis from a certified
sleep lab and begin to take steps to reduce your risk.
