If You Are at Risk for Sleep Apnea – Hypnosis can help!
About sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing breaks down and is interrupted during sleep. If sleep apnea is not treated a person may stop breathing several times during sleep.
This may be damaging to your health, as it could result in your brain, and the rest of the body, not getting enough oxygen.
There are 2 basic types of sleep apnea:
ØObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
ØCentral sleep apnea (CSA) where is no blockage, but due to a problem in the respiratory centre of the brain, there is a breakdown in the signals to muscles to breathe.
Sleep apnea is a more serious condition than insomnia, or a general lack of good sleep, and can be a definite risk to your quality of life.
Risk factors for sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone of any age, including children. There is even a school of thought that the so-called cot death may be linked to infantile sleep apnea, but this is yet to be firmly established.
Research has shown that there are specific risk factors for sleep apnea. Here are some of them:
Males are the most at risk of developing sleep apnea.
Anyone who is overweight, and over the age of 40. Applies to both men and women.
If you have a large neck size – 16 inches or more in females, and 17 inches or more in males.
If you have been diagnosed with large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone, it can also put you at risk.
Allergies or sinus issues which may impede nasal airflow.
Digestive problems which cause acid reflux into the throat.
A family history of sleep apnea.
Symptoms of sleep apnea.
Here are some common symptoms which you may experience:
Occasionally waking up with a very sore throat or a choking sensation.
Loud snoring.
Lack of energy during the day, and possible sleepiness while driving.
Morning headaches, forgetfulness, mood changes, and a notable lack of interest in sex.
Frequent awakening during the night, sometimes gasping for breath.
How sleep apnea can harm your health.
If sleep apnea is not treated, it can result in several health issues which may affect your daily quality of life.
These include:
High blood pressure, severe headaches, and strokes.
Heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat, and a potential heart attack.
Stress, anxiety, and depression.
A higher risk of developing diabetes.
Poor performance at work, and academic underachievement in adults, adolescents, and children.
If you feel you are at risk of sleep apnea, pay a visit to your doctor for a diagnosis.
Treatment protocols for sleep apnea.
Mild cases of sleep apnea may be helped by certain lifestyle changes such as losing weight, cutting down - or giving up smoking, drinking less alcohol, and avoid taking sleeping pills.
You can also try changing sleeping positions, and particularly not sleep on your back.
The most common medical treatment is the use of a mask over the nose and mouth, which is connected to a machine which delivers a constant flow of air into the nose. This is known as continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP.
Recent research has indicated that hypnotherapy is a very effective to combat sleep apnea.
Hypnotherapy to help overcome sleep apnea.
Studies have shown that unless there is a medical reason shows that a blockage is the sole cause of sleep apnea, which will need medical removal, hypnosis is an excellent method to help overcome sleep apnea.
The hypnotherapy treatment is suitable for both types of sleep apnea, namely OSA and CSA, and works by accessing the subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind easily remembers the time when you had high-quality, undisturbed sleep patterns.
Hypnosis therapy is powerful enough to bring these memories into your current frame of mind, and allow the subconscious to gather and remove any blockages there might be that are keeping from a restful night’s sleep.
This is how the positive suggestions and techniques of the hypno-therapist, when you are in a relaxed state of mind, can help you.
Subconscious awareness of your breathing can help to create a more beneficial way of breathing, as well as clear the airways to breather smoother.
Help you find a way to change your sleeping position to invoke more comfort.
Makes use of the mind-body connection to improve the signals from your brain to your breathing muscles.
Teach you how to clear the mind of idle thoughts when going to sleep.
Learn to release subconscious emotions and memories that may have led to the development of poor sleeping habits and sleep apnea.
Adelaide Hypnosis can help you breather easily and comfortably all night long, so that you sleep relaxed and restfully.
Follow a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and keep your weight under control. This will add to a general feeling of well-being, and help to prevent frightening pauses in your breathing while you sleep.