Sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in your upper airway that leads to pauses in breathing throughout sleep. It’s no surprise that repeated loss of breath throughout the night can lead to serious health consequences. But did you know that there are natural ways you can improve the severity of sleep apnea and snoring?
How Singing Can Help Treat Sleep Apnea
Excess tissue around your throat can block your airway and cause a pause in your breathing. The affected muscles include the back of your tongue, tonsils, adenoids, palatine uvula (the ball that hangs down near your throat), and soft palate.
These muscles tend to weaken with age and being overweight can also lead to excess soft tissue near your throat. Toning these muscles will help keep your airway open and decrease sleep apnea symptoms.
A-E-I-O-U Got It!
While singing your favorite songs might be more fun, you can target muscle groups in your soft palate and throat by sticking to the vowels. In one study, participants with mild to moderate sleep apnea who sang for 20 minutes a day for three months saw a reduction in sleep apnea symptoms.
It’s important to remember that it takes time to strengthen any muscle and you won’t see results from singing immediately, but over time you’ll benefit from this activity. Singing may help decrease your symptoms, but you’ll want to perform this exercise in combination with a trusted method such as an oral appliance for the best results.
Treating Your Sleep Apnea From Every Angle
Dr. Lauck will customize your treatment to include the most beneficial activities and oral appliance based on your specific needs. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lauck by calling (817) 431-6764 and we’ll help you experience the benefits of a good night’s sleep.