Cervical pillow and health | how posture can prevent sleep apnea and snoring.
Sleep is an essential component of our daily life. We spend an average of 8 hours of the day sleeping, this helps us have the energy needed to face everyday challenges, but it also has a profound impact on our overall health. But what happens when our sleep is disturbed by problems such as snoring or sleep apnea? How can our posture influence the quality of our rest and improve with a cervical pillow ?
Sleep apnea represents a sleep disorder that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Characterized by temporary interruptions in breathing while you sleep, they can have serious health impacts if not treated properly.
But what is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea syndrome occurs when breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. These outages can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can occur hundreds of times in a single night. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Obstructive apneas are caused by a physical blockage of the airways, while central apneas are the result of a lack of communication between the brain and respiratory muscles.
Many individuals are unaware that they have sleep apnea until they are told by a partner or doctor. Some common symptoms include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating during the day, morning headaches, and night sweats. Additionally, people with sleep apnea may wake up repeatedly to a hint of choking and may suffer from dry mouth.
This situation does not make sleep pleasant and restful either for the subject who suffers from this pathology or for the partner who is continually disturbed by loud snoring or sudden awakenings due to suffocation.
The causes of sleep apnea vary depending on the type. Obstructive apneas are often caused by excessive relaxation of the throat muscles, which can be influenced by factors such as obesity, advanced age, genetics and the use of alcohol or sedatives. Central apneas, on the other hand, are rarer and can be linked to conditions such as heart failure, stroke, or brain tumors.
What can be done?
As always in these cases, the correct diagnosis from a specialist is essential to first understand the causes and then the correct solution. These are often based on a combination of symptoms and diagnostic tests, such as polysomnography . This test monitors a number of bodily functions during sleep, including brain activity, eye movement, heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
Treatment of sleep apnea can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, devices such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), surgery, or the use of oral appliances.
For a lifestyle change we must not only think about not drinking alcohol or coffee before bed, or following a healthy diet that can make us lose weight and eat healthy foods. Other habits that need to be eliminated must also be included, such as watching TV or a smartphone before going to sleep , the brightness of the screens does not help the natural sleep-wake rhythm.
Let's try to make the bedroom comfortable with the help of a diffuser for essential oils, choosing the most suitable one to help us sleep easier and above all we modify our posture with an orthopedic and anatomical pillow for neck pain, specifically designed to keep the head raised and aligned with the rest of the spine, avoiding incorrect postures which can negatively influence our rest and increase night-time snoring.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. Additionally, the resulting daytime fatigue can increase the risk of car accidents and other injuries throughout the day.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can have serious health repercussions if not recognized and treated appropriately. It is essential to be aware of the symptoms and seek timely diagnosis and treatment. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining an adequate body weight and using a cervical pillow, can reduce the risk of developing this disorder.