Snoring is often a warning sign that you may have sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a breathing disorder that occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat close off the airway during sleep. Research shows 20% of adults have sleep apnoea. 5-10% of adults have severe sleep apnoea, and the majority are overweight. It is twice as common in men. New research from Otaga University has found a genetic link. Children from parents with sleep apnoea are significantly more likely to have sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea can affect a child’s learning at school, hindering their ability to retain information.
5 ways to sleep better
1. Go to bed when you are tired.
2. Wake up at the same time every day
3. Bed is for sleeping , not entertainment.
4. Wind down and relax before you go to bed.
5. Have a comfortable bedroom void of all electrical equipment.
In these days of busy hectic lives, most people find these rules difficult to achieve. We tend to stay up late to acheive more before we go to bed. This often means we push through our body’s desired time to sleep. Many people work shift work, going to bed and waking up at different times of the day. Tradies get up early during the week and sleep in on the weekends. This completely throws their sleep cycle out of whack.
Teenagers and adults alike spend time in their beds with devices. The brain associates bed with electrical stimulation not sleep. Many people sleep with their phone switched on next to their bed, or their computers in their bedroom. The body and brain never feel that it is a place for deep rest. The advent of iPhones, iPads, laptops, have made the bedroom into an office. Is it any wonder we are getting more and more sleep deprived as a nation?
Sleep posture is very important. We recommend only sleeping in the side lying position. Sleeping on your stomach leads to a lifetime of neck problems and must be avoided at all costs. Many clients have to wean themselves off sleeping on their stomachs. The best way is to use pillows, one between the legs and one in front of the body. It takes time to wean yourself from, often a lifetime of stomach sleeping. Sleeping on your back is not advised. The airways are compromised when lying on your back and sleep apnoea if more likely in this position.
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