Sleep apnea is a disorder in which somebody stops breathing temporarily, especially while they are sleeping because their airways constrict. Each pause in breathing can last 10 seconds or more so it leads to reduce oxygen levels in the blood and increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the body. Those who are over 60 years old, have obesity, narrow throat, nasal congestion, drink alcohol regularly, use sedatives, smoke excessively, etc. are at increased risk.
If sleep apnea is not treated promptly, its symptoms can lead to many health complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.
However, don’t worry about this. Instead of seeking the expensive and inconvenient formal treatments, change your lifestyle and sleep habit including losing excess weight, doing exercise regularly, quitting smoking (if you are a smoker), restricting the use of alcohol, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills, sleeping on your side and keeping your nasal passages open at night. All of these will help reduce the sleep apnea symptoms.
In addition, you can also try the following home remedies for sleep apnea with familiar foodstuffs you are easy to find in your kitchen.
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon possesses sedative properties, which can help you sleep better and handle breathing problems caused by sleep apnea. You boil 250 ml of water with one tablespoon of ginger, one medium sized cinnamon stick and a bit honey. After that, cool this solution and add a little honey for easy drinking. You should drink it before going to sleep every day.
A simple way also helps you ease sleep apnea symptoms. Put one or two teaspoons of cinnamon powder into a glass of hot water and drink it once a day.
In addition, you can make a paste of cinnamon and water and apply it on your chest. Leave it for some minutes and then rinse it off with water.
- Honey
Honey is the leading raw material for treating sleep apnea. It contains the anti-inflammatory properties that help swell around the throat – the cause of obstructive airways and snoring. Moreover, it not only helps lubricate the throat to reduce snoring but also mental relaxation very effectively.
The one way is adding one teaspoon pure honey to a glass of warm water and drinking it daily before going to bed. The other way is putting a teaspoon of ground black pepper and a teaspoon of honey into a glass of warm water. You can sip this glass slowly before bedtime.
- Garlic
Garlic is one of home remedies for sleep apnea you can do it easily without the support of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). Like cinnamon, anti-inflammatory properties found in garlic can reduce tonsillitis to expand the airways for easier breathing. Eat two or three garlic cloves every day and then drink a glass of water. Moreover, try to use garlic in cooking daily to get good results. Otherwise, garlic can get water out of your ear.
- Peppermint
Anti-inflammatory properties in peppermint can prevent snoring successfully. It helps the lining of nostrils and the throat become smooth and breathe easily. You can make a peppermint mouthwash by putting a few drops of peppermint oil into a glass of water and use this gargle before going to sleeping every day. Besides, drinking a few cups of its tea daily is an effective way you should try. Steep peppermint leaves in hot water for ten minutes. Get it strained and then enjoy it with a bit honey to get more favorable.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is made from the root of an Asian plant and used in cooking as a spice, but it is also one of effective home remedies for sleep apnea. It helps reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract so that you can breathe easier during sleeping. Boil a glass of milk and add a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Wait for the mixture to cool and drink it about half an hour before going to sleep.
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