A sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly is known as sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, you should know that there are several exercises that you can perform to help you sleep easier at night. Here at Costa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we recommend the following sleep apnea exercises:
Tiger Yell
To perform a tiger yell, open your mouth wide without yelling or making any noise. The purpose of a tiger yell is to strengthen the muscles at the back of your throat. If possible, hold the open mouth position for at least a few minutes. This is something our dental friends in Durham, NC came up with.
Tongue Slide
A tongue slide involves sliding your tongue out and attempting to push the tip as far as it will go towards your nose. Try performing this exercise at least 10 times in a row in order to reduce snoring and the other symptoms of sleep apnea.
Didgeridoo Playing
Believe it or not, regularly playing the didgeridoo can train the muscles of your upper airways, reduce daytime sleepiness, and improve sleep overall sleep quality. The didgeridoo is an Australian Aboriginal wind musical instrument.
Yoga
In recent years, yoga has become a popular treatment for patients with sleep apnea. Its particular breathing and relaxation techniques can help relieve snoring and other issues associated with sleep apnea.
Contact Costa Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
While these exercises may help your sleep apnea, they do not guarantee complete relief. To learn about the various treatment options available for this disorder, schedule an appointment at our office today by calling (703) 722-8353.