Sleep apnea is a treatable medical condition that causes the affected person to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time while sleeping, sometimes occurring several times per hour. A few relatively simple lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and sleeping on the side, are often enough to successfully stop sleep apnea episodes. In more severe cases, medical intervention may become necessary. Any questions or concerns about individualized ways to effectively stop sleep apnea should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
Those who are significantly overweight may find that losing weight is all that is needed to stop sleep apnea episodes. Smoking may contribute to the development of this disorder as well, so quitting smoking is often beneficial. Caffeine and alcohol use should be limited, although avoiding these things completely a few hours before going to bed can be helpful. Many sleep apnea patients have reported a decline in episodes by keeping a regular sleep schedule.
Sleeping on the side instead of the back or stomach can help to prevent airway obstructions and could prove useful when attempting to stop sleep apnea. It may also help to slightly elevate the head of the bed. A foam wedge or specially designed cervical pillow may make it easier to keep the head elevated while sleeping.
Medical intervention is sometimes necessary in order to stop sleep apnea episodes. A special type of breathing machine known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, often referred to as a CPAP machine, is typically the first line of medical treatment for this condition. A mask is placed over the face during sleep, and a continuous air flow is used to keep the air passages open. It may take a while to get used to using this machine, but many patients report feeling noticeably better after just one night of using it.
Occasionally, surgical intervention may become necessary in order to stop sleep apnea from occurring. The tonsils and adenoids may be removed in order to increase the size of the airway, making breathing easier while sleeping. In some cases, the jaw must be reconstructed before the patient notices significant results. Other forms of surgery may be used, depending on individual circumstances. The surgeon will go over all of the available surgical options with the patient so that an informed decision can be made concerning all of the possible benefits as well as any potential risks associated with the procedure.
