Sleep apnea affects the way a person breathes while sleeping. The breathing pauses typically occur between 10 and 20 seconds and may happen up to 100 times during the night.

Types of Sleep apnea

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common type

Soft tissue in the back of the throat releases during sleep causing blockage of the airways and snoring

2. Central  Sleep Apnea is less common

It involves the central nervous system. The brain fails to signal the muscles that contract during breathing. Snoring seldom occurs.

Complex Sleep Apnea it is a condition which combines 1 and 2.

What are the Symptoms?

  • Loud snoring
  • Choking
  • Snorting or gasping during sleep
  • Pauses in breathing
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Dry mouth or sore throat when waking up
  • morning headaches
  • Restless sleep
  • Frequent night urination
  • Waking up out of breath
  • Difficulty in concentrating
  • Moodiness
  • Irritability
  • Depression

What are the Causes?

1. Enlarged adenoids
2.
Distinct physical characteristics
3.
Excess relaxation of tongue and throat muscle
4
. Nasal blockage or congestion (cold, allergies, sinusitis, excess mucus)
5
. Obesity – overweight causes soft and fatty tissue build up around the airways. 50 percent of sleep apnea sufferers are overweight

Sleep apnea is associated with many other health problems over time –including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.  See a specialist for sleep apnea if you have chronic snoring, gasp for air during sleep, fatigue during the day, morning headaches or a lack of concentration.

Medical treatment

The treating physicians will recommend CPAP and other devices.

Helpful tips

  • Lose weight, quit smoking, and avoid alcohol (esp. evenings) sleeping pills and sedatives
  • Sleep on your side and pop your head up, use saline solution before sleeping to open up nasal passages

Diet

  • The diet should be aimed at weight loss with an emphasis on organic vegetables, fruits (no citrus) and raw nuts and seeds, especially sesame seeds. Hummus is a great option because it uses sesame tahini. Protein sources should include fish like salmon, sardines and herring, organic eggs, chicken, turkey and grass-fed steak once a week. Fats should include hummus, avocados and olive oil.
  • Avoid grains, potatoes and yams at night. Dinner should consist of meat or fish, a variety of vegetables and salad. Soup with lots of vegetables is another good option.
  • Avoid cow dairy and wheat when possible because both can cause excess phlegm. Goat kefir and yogurt are good substitutions.
  • Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugar.

Supplementation

The nutrition program should be part of a total wellness approach which includes exercise,  chemical-free skin and cleaning products and stress management.

1. Thorne Basic Nutrients 2 a Day

Is needed for basic vitamins and minerals

2. VSL

To establish healthy flora and diversity that is lacking in people who are overweight. Very important for preventing infections leading to excess mucous.

3. Vitamin C with Flavonoids

4. SinuOrega

To keep sinus infections from occurring.

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