05 Dec 4 Foods That Could Be Triggering Your Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea plagues one out of every five adults. Apnea occurs when the muscles relax and the throat closes, blocking the sleeper’s airway. While there are many causes, food can also trigger your symptoms. Avoiding these particular foods can help reduce your sleep apnea activity. At Crosspointe Sleep Solutions, we want to help you find every solution to your sleep issues. And it can sometimes start with diet.
1. High Fat Foods
Foods high in saturated fat, such as burgers and steak, can add to your sleep apnea problems. This is because saturated fat can stimulate your body’s inflammatory response. Any inflammation in the throat or soft palate encourages the throat muscles to close. So, avoiding fats can help reduce inflammation and apnea symptoms.
2. Refined Sugar and Sleep Apnea
Another inflammatory culprit is refined sugar. Like saturated fat, refined sugars can lead to inflammation and swelling in the throat. In addition, some foods high in refined sugar, such as hard candy, can also produce mucus. More mucus in your mouth and throat at bedtime can block your airway, causing more sleep apnea symptoms. Even natural sugars, such as those found in bananas and other sweet fruits, can cause problems.
3. High Fat Dairy
Like refined sugar, high-fat dairy can cause problems in two ways. Dairy fats can contribute to inflammation, which, in turn, exacerbates your sleep apnea. Additionally, milk and milk products are mucus producers. So, while it may be tempting, avoid that bowl of ice cream or a glass of warm milk before bedtime, especially if you believe you have sleep apnea.
4. Alcohol Contributes to Sleep Apnea
Alcohol affects the body in many different ways. While it may help you to relax at the end of a long day, it also affects your sleep at night. First, it soothes your muscles, even the muscles in your throat. When those muscles relax, it is easier for the throat to collapse and your breathing to be blocked. Another way alcohol affects sleep apnea involves its tendency to reduce your time in REM sleep. REM sleep is the active part of your sleep cycle, when the muscles in your throat move and flex, keeping your throat open. The less time spent in REM sleep, the greater the chances are for sleep apnea symptoms.
While avoiding these foods may not cure your sleep apnea, they may help reduce your symptoms. At Crosspointe Sleep Solutions, we want to help you find every solution to your sleep issues.