Sleep apnea is a very common type of sleep disorder. It’s something that has to be treated because it can cause all sorts of complications in the long run. This article will teach you some home remedies that you may try first before finally deciding to seek the help of a sleep specialist.

Pauses in breathing as you sleep — this is what sleep apnea is. Those pauses can happen up to hundreds of times per night, each one can last for 10 seconds or at times even longer.

According to doctors, sleep apnea is commonly due to a blockage in or narrowing of the airways. People who are at risk of this sleeping disorder include those that are older than 60 years of age, overweight and have heart disease. Sleep apnea can run in families, and you may have it if your parents suffer from it. Do you smoke or drink alcohol a lot? Then you’re considered as at risk of sleep apnea.

What makes sleep apnea dangerous is the fact that it can deprive the brain of much-needed oxygen. If left untreated, it can have profound effects not only on your brain, but also your heart and blood pressure. Additionally, sleep apnea can leave you feeling tired and exhausted the following day.

The most popular treatment for sleep apnea is the use of what’s called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which is attached to your face like an oxygen mask each time you sleep.

Before resorting to the use of a CPAP that a sleep specialist is likely to recommend, you may first give some effective home remedies for sleep apnea a try. They are definitely a lot cheaper than going to a sleep specialist and paying for a CPAP machine that you need to use every single night.

Honey

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of honey, it’s something that can help save your airways from narrowing as you sleep. All you need to do is stir 1 tablespoon of honey into glass of warm water, which you have to drink before hopping into bed. Also, you may sweeten your favorite bedtime herbal tea with it.

Chamomile Tea

Speaking of herbal tea, having a cup of freshly-brewed chamomile tea every night is a wonderful idea if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Chamomile tea has relaxing properties that help keep your airways open. What’s more, it has sleep-inducing property that’s perfect for you if you have a hard time failing asleep at night.

Ginger Tea With Cinnamon

Another herbal tea that you may rely on if you have sleep apnea is ginger tea because it has anti-inflammatory properties, too. To enhance the sleep apnea-busting properties of ginger tea, you may stir a teaspoon of cinnamon powder into a cup of it and slowly consume before trying to catch some Z’s.

Turmeric Milk

Everyone knows that a glass of warm milk at bedtime is a wonderful remedy for insomnia. Did you know that adding a teaspoon of turmeric powder to it makes it an excellent solution for sleep apnea? And it’s not just your airways that can be kept from being inflamed by this beverage, but also your muscles and joints.

Balloon Blowing

According to sleep specialists, it’s also a good idea for you to strengthen your throat muscles if you want to deal with sleep apnea the natural way. All you have to do is blow a balloon using deep breaths. This throat-strengthening exercise can be done up to 5 times a day every single day of the week.

Lose Excess Pounds

Earlier, it was mentioned that people who are overweight are at risk of having sleep apnea. If it’s apparent that your weight is the culprit, then dropping unwanted pounds can help a lot. Opt for healthy eating habits and exercise on a regular basis. It is also a good idea to keep your stress levels to a minimum.