SLEEP APNEA - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep occur more often than normal. Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and they happen many times a night. In the most common form, this follows a loud snoring. There may be choking or snorting sound as breathing resumes. Because the disorder disrupts normal sleep, those affected people may experience sleepiness or feel tired during the day. In children, it may cause hyperactivity or problems in school. Sleep apnea may be either obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing is interrupted by blockage of air flow. Central sleep apnea, in which regular unconscious breath simply stops, or combination of both. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form. It has 4 key contributors, which includes, anatomical compromises (narrow upper airway), or non-anatomical (ineffective pharyngeal dilator muscle function during sleep), overweight, family history. Other risk factors include allergies, enlarged tonsils etc. sleep apnea is often diagnosed with an overnight sleep study.

Ayurveda beliefs in trayo upasthambhas (3 pillars of life) which are, ahara,
nidra and bhramacharaya. Sleep is the most important thing in one’s healthy life. Sleep apnea comes under nidra roga. Due to vitiation of rajas and manasika doshas with 3 doshas in our body and vata dosha is the main culprit behind this disorder.

Symptoms of sleep apnea

 Increase in heart rate? Oxygen rate fluctuation
 Hypertension
 Increased risk of stroke
 Irritability
 Insulin resistance
 Awakening with dry mouth
 Morning headache

Ayurveda recommends, shirodhara is the most suitable treatment for sleep
apnea. It activates the nervous system, relaxes the body and mind. Abhyanga isanother treatment option for this condition. It increases blood circulation, calms the lymph nodes and good for mental health as well. nasya helps in lubricate sinuses, relieve different nasal problems, allergies and snoring. Karna purana also works in sleep apnea. It helps in lubricating ear canal and good for sinuses as well. herbs like ashwagandha, jatamamsi, shankhapushpi, sarpagandha are highly beneficial. Internally kalyanaka ghrtam, haridra khandam, manasa mitra vatakam etc are useful.

Tips

 Quit smoking
 Maintain a healthy weight
 Side sleep
 Avoid alcohol intake

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