Stop the Snoring!

If you live with a spouse who snores, you know what torture it can be. It can take you forever to fall asleep, and sometimes it feels like you never really get there. You’re tired all the time. It affects how productive your feel, both at work and at home.

Snoring is no picnic for your partner either. Sure he or she may seem to be getting all the sleep they need, but snoring disrupts their rest, too. Especially snoring caused by sleep apnea.

When you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing in the middle of the night. Your brain has to wake you up to get you to breath again. Most people with sleep apnea have hundreds of interruptions to their sleep every night. They might not remember the interruptions, but they still take their toll.

Besides disturbing your sleep and your spouse’s, sleep apnea also increases your risks of obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

So, it’s good news that new research suggests that certain exercises for the throat muscles can actually help relieve sleep apnea.

In a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers found that exercises for the throat and tongue relieved the symptoms of sleep apnea by up to 40%. Patients doing the exercises had better blood oxygen levels, fewer sleep disturbances, and less snoring.

If you suffer from sleep apnea—or even if you just snore—trying these exercises might help.

For the first exercise say the vowel names quickly in order. Repeat the vowel sequence several times… try to do it for at least a minute or two.

Next, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth where your hard palette and soft palette meet. Slide the tongue backward along your soft palette. Repeat this exercise several times during the day whenever you think about it.

Exercises as simple as these are a free and easy way to relieve sleep apnea symptoms. Give them a try to see how they work for you. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to health complications. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, make an appointment with your doctor to find out for sure and to learn about additional treatments.

Stay well,
Heather Robwell