More and more, we are hearing about people experiencing extreme fatigue, having sleep studies done, being diagnosed with sleep apnea, and needing a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines. So what is sleep apnea anyway?
sleep apnea. noun. : brief periods of recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center
There are many causes and different levels of severity of sleep apnea, but it is estimated that 20% of adults struggle with this disorder. In other words, 1 in every 5 people are struggling with the effects of sleep apnea. Many of these may not even realize that their daytime drowsiness or frequent nocturnal urination is because of impaired breathing while they sleep!
Did you know that mouth breathing is closely linked to sleep apnea? When you breathe through your mouth, you're more likely to snore, which can increase your risk of developing the sleep disorder. If that weren't enough, sleep apnea can have serious consequences , such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Ready for the good news?
You can do something about it all right now! Practice breathing through your nose during the day and utilize mouth tape to promote nasal breathing at night. This will not only reduce your risk of sleep apnea, but it can also improve your blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease, and improve your daytime drowsiness!