Can You Eat Your Way to Better Sleep?
You’ve heard that, “You are what you eat,” but did you know that there’s some truth to, “You sleep how you eat?” There are many ways to promote better sleep, and diet is one of them.
3 Ways You Can Improve Your Sleep Apnea, and Your Health, in the New Year
A sleep disorder like sleep apnea, which affects about 30 million Americans, is far more than just a nuisance that robs you of the shuteye you need to function well. Chronic lack of sleep can be a serious problem that affects both your physical and mental wellness.
From high blood pressure to depression, there are no shortage of conditions that are linked to sleep apnea, which should make controlling the condition a top priority.
As experts in sleep apnea and snoring, Dr. Dana J. Rockey and the teams at South County Sleep Solutions and Prescott Sleep Solutions understand the importance of addressing this condition from every possible angle.
While we’ve devoted our practice to helping people with sleep apnea, and we offer the latest tools and treatments, including at-home testing, laser therapy, and oral devices, it’s important that you get involved, too.
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together three lifestyle changes that you can make to improve your sleep apnea — and your health.
1. Shed the extra weight
One of the biggest risk factors when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is carrying extra pounds — OSA is seven times more prevalent in people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
When you’re overweight or have obesity, fat can be found almost anywhere, including in the tissues at the back of your throat.
If you have a BMI of more than 30, one of the most effective steps you can take to control your sleep apnea is to lose the excess pounds. We know that a recommendation to “lose weight,” is far easier said than done, but we’re here to help. Through our healthy nutrition and lifestyle coaching services, we can make the coming year the one where you shed the extra pounds.
2. Curb the booze
We know the holidays are coming, which means it’s another excuse to raise a glass with friends and family. Unfortunately, alcohol serves to greatly exacerbate existing sleep apnea.
With OSA, the soft tissues at the back of your throat collapse and block your airways when you sleep. When you drink alcohol, these tissues relax further, which is why alcohol is so often associated with snoring.
So, if you want to help keep the tissues in your throat from relaxing to the point of collapse, it’s a good idea to steer clear of alcohol.
3. Get some more exercise
If you want to improve your heart health and open up your airways, exercise is important. Not to mention, a good exercise regimen can go a long way toward improving the quality of your sleep because your body relies on the rest.
A little bit can go a long way when it comes to exercise — just a 30-minute walk each day or a yoga class a few times a week are excellent ways to improve almost every area of your health, including your sleep health.
Alongside the treatments we provide for your sleep apnea, these lifestyle changes can really close the circle on better controlling your OSA for improved health and wellness.
For a more individualized plan for controlling your sleep apnea, please call us at 949-558-0554 in Newport Beach, California, or 928-235-6925 in Prescott, Arizona, to schedule an appointment.
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