Obstructive sleep apnea is an unfortunately common health condition that hinders a person’s ability to breathe properly when slumbering, and it can cause them to wake up a hundred times or more in a single night. While your sleep dentist can help you find an effective solution for this frustrating and exhausting problem, there are a few excellent remedies you can use to reduce your symptoms at home. Here’s how slumbering in a recliner can help you rest well when you have sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
When humans sleep, the muscles and other tissues throughout their bodies relax and repair the wear and tear caused by the day’s activity. However, the tissues in the neck of a person with sleep apnea will weigh heavily upon their windpipe when they relax during sleep, which can constrict the airway and cause the patient to wake up short of breath. This can happen tens of times in a single night, and it can lead to overall health issues such as:
- Grogginess
- Irritability
- Depression
- Overeating
- Falling asleep while operating a vehicle or another type of heavy machine
Can Sleeping in a Recliner Reduce My Sleep Apnea Symptoms?
When you lay flat on your back, gravity will pull the tissues in your throat straight down upon your windpipe, which can make it easy for your air flow to be restricted. By sleeping with your head in an elevated position, you can direct the weight of these tissues away from your windpipe and help your airway stay clear throughout the night. You can do this by propping up your head with cushions or pillows or by sleeping in a recliner or an adjustable bed.
How Else Can I Reduce My Sleep Apnea Symptoms at Home?
A few other ways to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms at home include:
- Eating a healthy diet: Smooth digestion will make it easier to sleep.
- Getting more exercise: A vigorous workout will make you more tired at the end of the day, which will set you up for better sleep.
- Refraining from caffeine and alcohol in the hours before sleep: These substances can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
- Abstaining from tobacco use: Many ingredients in tobacco can clog up your airway and make it harder to get enough oxygen during sleep.
Your sleep dentist is qualified and equipped to treat sleep apnea with oral appliances designed to keep the airway open when the body is at rest. Consulting with your oral health provider can help you find the best way to get better slumber.
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Sherwood Bragg earned her dental degree at Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. She is also a proud member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. Her office in Cumming provides sleep apnea testing and treatments such as oral appliance therapy. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, contact her office online or dial (470) 281-9905.