Treating Sleep Apnea

By Adam Turner
May 22, 2017

There are plenty of disruptions determined to keep us up at night, perhaps none more obvious than the notorious snore, as loud as it is ubiquitous. But snoring is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to poor sleep, and may in fact hint at deeper issues hidden underneath the surface. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to address these problems, which are even more likely on the wrong mattress and pillow. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to improve your sleep. Take our exclusive in-store Sleep Assessment to determine what’s keeping you up at night and find a properly fitted solution.

If you find yourself sawing logs all night, keep in mind that a snore can mean more. Nearly half of all people who snore loudly have obstructive sleep apnea, and it often goes undiagnosed. It can interrupt your breathing, deny your brain of optimal oxygen, cause you to wake up more frequently, put strain on your heart (increasing likelihood of arrhythmias), and lead to increased drowsiness and poor sleep. Long-term, you may suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, depression, and headaches. You’re at risk if you are male, overweight, over 40, sport a large neck size, have large tonsils or tongue, or have a family history with the condition, though it can affect anyone at any age.

Loud snoring is the first giveaway, though you may also wake up with a dry or sore throat, wake up at night with a gasp, or suffer from insomnia, morning headaches, and general sleepiness throughout the day. Your condition may require testing from a doctor and ultimately even a machine known as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) which is a mask flowing air into your nose. However, there are some behavioral adjustments you can attempt before it escalates:

Much like snoring, losing weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and switching sleep positions (specifically avoiding your back) can be quite effective in slowing sleep apnea’s effects.
Keep a sleep diary for a few weeks to track any potential symptoms to better inform your doctor on your condition.
The benefits of an adjustable base for your bed can alleviate some of sleep apnea’s irksome conditions. Adjustable bases allow you to elevate your head, opening your windpipe and easing air flow. Ergonomic positioning allows you to sleep comfortably, relieving stress from your pressure points and encouraging restorative sleep.

With any luck, you’ve found some small way to help you sleep better at night. If your issues persist, it may be time to see a doctor for a professional opinion. But if your issues can be fixed with a sleep solution, we’ve got you covered. Visit a conveniently located Sleep Outfitters near you today!

Have other sleep issues? Read our tips on dealing with snoring, poor circulation, and sinus issues, as well as addressing hip, neck, back, and shoulder pain!

Further Reading:

Treating Snoring – Sleep Outfitters

Treating Poor Circulation – Sleep Outfitters

Treating Sinus Issues – Sleep Outfitters

Addressing Back Pain – Sleep Outfitters

Addressing Shoulder Pain – Sleep Outfitters

Addressing Hip Pain – Sleep Outfitters

Addressing Neck Pain – Sleep Outfitters

Sleep Apnea – WebMD

What Is Sleep Apnea? – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Sleep Apnea – Overview & Facts – Sleep Education

Sleep Apnea – Sleep.org