How to Prevent Sleep Apnea?
How well you sleep can affect every aspect of your life. People with sleep apnea have disturbed, restless sleep every night, often leaving them tired and struggling to function to their full potential. Over time, this condition can have a serious impact on your health in many ways. If you are concerned about developing sleep apnea, you can take several steps that will greatly lower your risk.
What is Sleep Apnea?
There are several types of sleep apnea, but the type you are most familiar with is obstructive sleep apnea. This condition occurs when your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while you sleep because your airway becomes blocked. This interruption disrupts your sleep and breathing. People with this condition often experience chronic sleepiness, trouble with focus and memory, and physical symptoms like high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.
How to Prevent Sleep Apnea
Like most complex conditions, sleep apnea is a combination of avoidable and unavoidable factors. Factors out of your control include your genetics and family history, your health history, and the anatomy of your airway. However, you can lower your risk significantly by changing several lifestyle factors.
Sleeping Habits
Sleeping on your side or stomach puts you at less risk of sleep apnea than sleeping on your back. If you do sleep on your back, elevating your upper body with an angled pillow designed for that purpose can help keep your airway open.
Request a Consultation
Give us a call today at 817-927-1818 or fill out the form below to schedule an appointment. You’ll be happy you chose Facial & Cosmetic Surgery Fort Worth for your oral surgery and facial cosmetic surgery needs.
Regular Physical Activity
Engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity each week helps people sleep better, improves cardiovascular function, and helps maintain a healthy weight. People who get a healthy level of activity are at a lower risk of sleep apnea.
Healthy Weight Management
Obesity is one of the most significant factors contributing to sleep apnea. Losing 10% of your body weight can improve many areas of your health, including your risk for diabetes. Obesity contributes to closing your airway during sleep apnea.
Other Lifestyle Factors
Smoking is one of the most significant and easily preventable causes of sleep apnea. While quitting smoking has many other benefits, you will also sleep better. Alcohol also impacts your breathing during sleep, so limit alcohol use, especially before sleeping.
Is CPAP the Only Treatment for Sleep Apnea?
If you have sleep apnea, you may feel like CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is your only treatment option. However, not everyone can comfortably wear this equipment well enough to get good results. Many people can benefit from surgery to correct their sleep apnea, so explore this option if CPAP is not working for you. Other methods include
Take the Next Step
If you have further questions about sleep apnea, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Faces Fort Worth. Call us at (817) 927-1818 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to taking care of you.
