Natural approaches for sleep apnea

VickiP

I was recently diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. when I say mild I mean very mild. The sleep Dr wants me to use a CPAP. I am not opposed to using it, I am just not sure it is the best approach for me. When I had the sleep study they had me try different masks and they hurt. Like when they would turn the machine on the pressure actually hurt inside my nose. One hurt so bad I had a bit of a panic attack , ripped it off my face and threw it across the room! So now I am nervous bout trying it. Not to mention the expense. So I started researching natural alternatives.

According to "Sleep Apnea Guide-- Natural Remedies for Sleep Apnea:" ( I would recommend looking this site up and reading the articles, watching the videos etc.)

Valerian combined with hops and/or lemon balm. We use it with hops and passionflower for as a muscle relaxer, my husband uses more than me.

Melatonin

"In Japan, Kampo is also named Hange-koboku-to extract (Ban Xia Hou Po Tang in Chinese), and consists of 5 medicinal herbs: Pinellia, Hoelen, Magnolia bark, Perilla and ginger. This extract was administered 5.0 g/day, at bedtime. Sleep apnea started to improve after 10 days, and after 7 months there were no adverse effects."

"St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Combined with Valerian"

Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Chamomile (Matricaria Recutia)

Ayurvedic remedies

The most interesting in my mind is using a "Didgeridoo for Sleep Apnea" so I looked up Didgeridoos on Amazon- way less money than a cpap and lots more fun! I told my husband about it and he said I will have to do it outside, which actually appeals to me as well, just sittin' in the woods playing my didgeridoo, how cool is that?

I am also interested in Kampo, I have never heard of that before.

Does anyone here have any experience with any of this? Or have any other advice?

DeeperEating

I've never heard of using herbal remedies to help with sleep apnea! I don't have a problem with it, but my dad does and I wonder if maybe an herbal remedy might be of interest to him...?

VickiP

Of course a CPAP is treatment Du Jour for sleep apnea and I am going to try it, my husband has really benefited from one, I just don't think I will be able to tolerate it. You can google to the "Sleep Apnea Guide" they cover not just CPAP but other devises that can be used, I found the section on natural remedies to be quite informative.

Also, I am serious about the Didgeridoo. 😏

Torey

@VickiP

I'm not an aromatherapist but I came across this article when looking up sleep remedies for someone.

https://sleepsolutionvirginia.com/10-best-essential-oils-to-help-treat-sleep-apnea/

LaurieLovesLearning

My first question would be what is the cause of the sleep apnea? There can be a few possibilities (weight/nasal polyps are two that I am aware of at the moment). After that is known, I would use that in my solutions search.

archer777

Buteyko breathing method recommends taping your mouth shut at night. If you look up ‘a day in the life of Dr Mercola ‘on YouTube he tapes his mouth shut too. It really does work. My husband and I use white tape from the dollar store. He had sleep apnea and I ground my teeth. It’s helped both of us get a good night sleep.

VickiP

I had never heard of that! how interesting. I do sometimes grind my teeth at night so I might give it a try. I know most people with sleep apnea snore--a lot. My husband certainly did, I actually don't unless I have a sinus problem going on. I did the night of the sleep study, I was very congested so they did record, in the course of the night "18 soft snores", my husband was surprised. "They counted your baby snores?" Lol

dimck421

@archer777 @archer777 Kudos to being able to ust tape on your mouth, during sleep! I am going to try to give it a go, as you mentioned grinding teeth. Try is the operative word. lol I am not sure I can tolerate tape on my mouth. Thank you for the information!

LaurieLovesLearning

@archer777 Taping my husband's mouth shut would stop his breathing completely. He has nasal polyps that block his airway, so I can't see how this would help in this case.

Ruth Reyes-Loiacano

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/848937#Comment_848937

Oh, that's scary!

LaurieLovesLearning

@Ruth Reyes-Loiacano It really is. I should clarify, that it is the nasal passages, not otherwise, but if you took the mouth breathing away as an option before these could be dealt with, it doesn't leave much to the imagination about how breathing would cease.

Obiora E

@VickiP Thank you for sharing this valuable information.

bcabrobin

I to had trouble with the CPAP, it would cause an asthma attack, my lungs would spasm. Didn't matter what I tried, it happened every night. 5 yrs ago I had to have surgery on my throat to remove scar tissue from so many cases of strep. I have not had problem since but the Drs. here want me to be retested, not becuase I have a problem it's ($$$$$) for the health care system. I am going to try the info you posted and really piss the Drs. off when I tell them I'm trying natural stuff. Thank you for this info!