More severe sleep apnea may require a visit to a primary care doctor or an otolaryngologist (ear-nose-throat, or ENT specialist) for an evaluation and treatment. Sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas or using a wedge-shaped pillow can help keep you on your side.

Side sleeping. Back sleeping can worsen snoring and sleep apnea.

Not drinking alcohol. Drinking before bedtime can cause the muscles in the upper airways to relax, making the tissue droop down into the airway.

Quitting smoking. Tobacco smoke can cause the airways to swell, worsening sleep apnea.

Losing enough weight can sometimes cure the condition. One way that weight loss results may help people breathe more easily at night is by shrinking tongue fat, researchers have found. Losing just 10% of body weight can reduce the number of apnea episodes.

Weight loss. Being overweight is one of the biggest risks for sleep apnea.

Mild sleep apnea may respond to lifestyle changes, such as: Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent complications like these.

These include type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. In addition to causing daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea is linked to a number of adverse health conditions. In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, the throat muscles relax, letting the tissue in the back of the throat droop down and obstruct the airway. Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. But before exploring sleep apnea treatment options, it's important to know the more about the condition itself. Some are more convenient, while others are more invasive. But because it can be bulky, loud, and uncomfortable to wear, most patients don't stick with it.ĭepending on numerous factors, though, there are some alternative treatments to CPAP. The most common treatment recommended for this condition, which can range from mild to severe, is the CPAP machine. Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects over 18 million adults in the U.S., according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Relive alternative