It is wiser and safer to get professional treatment. You can use the techniques below, in consultation with your sleep specialist/doctor, while your treatment progresses. Sleep apnoea is a disorder and as such cannot be cured, it can however be managed effectively. There are several things doctors suggest you do that can greatly alleviate it:
Weight Loss: If you are overweight, loose it! Excess weight contributes to sleep apnoea in two ways.
Weight loss by itself is very difficult (as many of us know). Sometimes people are only able or much better able, to lose excess weight after treatment for apnoea has begun, they are able to be more awake and vigorous, and increase their energy use. Naturally, weight loss is just a generally healthy thing (if you are overweight – if your weight is normal do not starve yourself!).
Smoking: As with the loss of excess weight this is, of course, just a good idea in general. However, quitting might also help your apnoea in addition to countless other health benefits, by returning lung capacity to normal.
Alcohol: Eliminate alcohol in the evening. Alcohol depresses your breathing reflexes and significantly worsens apnoea. Apnoea sufferers should be very careful about excessive drunkenness. It’s possible that if you depress your reflexes enough, you might not wake up at all. The same thing applies to sleeping pills, drugs or anything that might affect your breathing.
Allergies and respiratory infections: These cause nasal congestion, which narrows the airways and contributes to apnoea. Consult your doctor for medications to treat these which will not interfere with your sleep.
Medications: Many common medications interfere with the breathing reflex, sleep or both. Some of the most common are “sleeping pills”, tranquilisers, and short acting beta-blockers. Consult your sleep specialist about seeking alternative medication.