Many folks with sleep apnea will tell you the same thing. The worst part often isn’t the apnea itself. Instead, it’s the treatment for the condition.
Because even though you repeatedly stop breathing in your sleep, you usually aren’t aware of it.
Sleep apnea may cause you to toss and turn at night. But typically, you don’t have any memory of the apnea in the morning. All you know is you feel a little groggy or have a headache.
But you sure do remember the treatment. The CPAP machines used by most sleep apnea sufferers are noisy and uncomfortable. And many folks say they make it impossible to get a good night of sleep.
Ditch the apnea without the discomfort
A new report has revealed another unexpected sleep apnea treatment option. It’s quiet and safe. And while it may not be 100 percent comfortable, it’s still FAR easier to sleep with than CPAP.
It’s a special custom-fitted mouthguard. The proper name is a mandibular advancement device or MAD.
Once the MAD is molded to your teeth, it moves your jaw forward just a little bit. And this slight shift keeps your airways from closing when you sleep.
That stops the loud snores that annoy your spouse. And more importantly, it ends the sleep apnea breathing lapses that accompany them.
Oh, and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed for a change. No more sleep apnea-linked grogginess. No more headaches.
And since you’re now breathing throughout the night, there are no more of those long-term risks. Your heart and brain are no longer in danger of being damaged when they fail to get enough oxygen due to those breathing lapses.
OK, now for the downside. You knew there would be one, right?
Mandibular advancement devices can cost up to $2,000. Your insurance or Medicare may cover it. But they also might not.
And, of course, while a MAD is far more comfortable than a traditional CPAP machine, it still isn’t totally comfortable.
But that doesn’t mean you have to choose one or the other. You have more options that could help with your sleep apnea. Three of them, in fact.
3 easy fixes for your sleep apnea
MAD might be better than CPAP. But there are three other helpful options for sleep apnea that also come with zero noise and discomfort.
Plus, they require little to no cash.
Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST):
Don’t let the name intimidate you. IMST boils down to some basic breathing exercises you can learn in minutes.
You have to do them with a little device, but they’re affordable and easy to find. Amazon even has some for about $50 (just talk to your doc to ensure you get the right one).
You basically suck air through the device, much like sucking air through a straw. But this clever little machine “resists” by pulling air back.
In one study of sleep apnea patients, IMST led to improvements not just in breathing but in blood pressure, too. You’ll find more details on the IMST method right here.
Tongue exercises:
I know this sleep apnea cure sounds pretty wacky. But, it WORKS.
One of the most common reasons for sleep apnea is a tongue that flops around and blocks your airways. But specific exercises can convince your tongue to behave better during sleep so you can rest better.
An easy starter exercise is the “tongue push-up.” All you have to do is press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth and slide it back about 20 times.
I’ve got some more details on how it works… along with some additional simple tongue exercises to try… right here.
Losing weight:
If you battle sleep apnea, weight loss should be one of the first things you consider. That’s even before CPAP, MAD, IMST, and tongue exercises. Because it’s often the most effective solution of all.
Most cases of sleep apnea are linked to being overweight. But losing even five percent of your body weight can lead to significant improvements.
Even more exciting is that dropping more than that five percent could even CURE your case altogether.
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