A recent toxicology report showed that Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, who died last year, was found to have multiple drugs in her system, including cocaine, morphine, codeine, and oxycodone. Although it was unclear what role any of these drugs played in her death, the coroner’s report found that sleep apnea and other undetermined factors led to her massive heart attack and eventual death on December 27, 2016.
Sleep apnea prevents people from getting a restful sleep, and it can lead to much more serious problems in the future if it goes untreated. If you are someone who suffers from sleep apnea, I have some valuable information about natural remedies that can help you manage your illness, and get the sleep you’ve been longing for.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects 24% of adult men, and nine percent of adult women. It occurs most commonly when the tissue at the back of the throat collapses, blocking the airway. This can happen hundreds of times a night, lowering the level of oxygen in the blood and straining the heart.
The most common causes of sleep apnea include being overweight, having large tonsils, and differences in throat shape. Since a restful sleep cycle cannot be completed, your body does not rejuvenate, leaving you feeling constantly exhausted.
If this condition goes without proper treatment, it can get worse and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. But don’t let this paralyze you with fear.
Studies have shown that the chances of a person dying from sleep apnea are very low. Even if your condition is not severe, addressing it early on is highly beneficial to staying healthy and preventing a worsening situation.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
Doctors recommend losing weight, quitting smoking, or using a special breathing apparatus known as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to treat sleep apnea. It delivers air straight through the airway to keep it open at night so that your body gets the oxygen it needs.
Maintaining a healthy weight wards off many health problems, including sleep apnea. With less weight on the inside of your neck, your throat muscles will be freer to move, and your breathing capabilities will improve. Eating a diet rich in fiber, healthy fats, and adaptogen herbs, paired with daily exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), will help you slim down at a steady pace and improve your entire system.
Another tip is to avoid sedating substances. Being constantly exhausted can have a damaging impact on your outlook on life and the way you feel. This is why many people turn to excessive alcohol, smoking, drugs, and sedatives to deal with the problem.
Unfortunately, these substances do far more harm than they do good. For example, sedatives relax the throat muscles, making it even harder to control breathing while you sleep. And, although the common reaction to lack of sleep is to use sleeping pills, it will make the problem much worse.
Beat Sleep Apnea Naturally without Pills
Eucalyptus essential oils in glass bottle
Instead of using prescription drugs, try setting up a humidifier in your room, and add a few drops of essential oils in the water. Eucalyptus oil, the same ingredient found in vapor rub products, naturally opens your airways and soothes stuffy sinuses. Plus, it will help you relax, and the humidity will move more air through your airways than dry air.
Preventative treatments are always your best defense against serious health conditions. If you suffer from sleep apnea, speak with your doctor or naturopath to find out other natural ways to treat the symptoms so you can get a more restful sleep. If you’re really having a hard time sleeping, a CPAP machine is probably your best bet.
Related Articles:
- Is Sleep Apnea behind Your Nocturia (Frequent Urination at Night)?
- How Treating Sleep Apnea Can Reverse Brain Damage
- Reverse Sleep Apnea Brain Damage and Get a Good Night’s Rest
- Sleep Apnea: Solving a Hidden Health Problem
Sources:
Knight, V., “Don’t lose sleep over apnea, but treatment is crucial,” CNN Health, June 21, 2017; http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/20/health/sleep-apnea-explainer/index.html, last accessed June 30, 2017.
Kreps, D., “Carrie Fisher: Coroner Finds Sleep Apnea Contributed to Actress’ Death,” Rolling Stone, June 17, 2017; http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/carrie-fisher-sleep-apnea-contributed-to-actress-death-w488445, last accessed June 30, 2017.