If you have sleep apnea, then you may be well aware how it does more than make you snore. You might wake up feeling more tired than the night before, but there are plenty of ways you can alleviate your symptoms. One method you might’ve seen is using essential oils to help you have an undisturbed night, but do they really help? Here’s what you need to know and how you can get the rejuvenating rest you deserve.
As a Reminder, What Is Sleep Apnea?
When you have sleep apnea, you wake up throughout the night because your breathing becomes interrupted. The most common form of this condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Your throat muscles collapse into your airway and block it multiple times an hour while you rest.
You might feel more daytime drowsiness, have headaches, be more irritable, or have trouble concentrating and focusing. Not only that, but it can also increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, to name a few.
How Can Essential Oils Aid My Sleep Apnea?
Essential oils have become more popular in recent years because they are seen as a natural remedy for many things, including sleep disorders like OSA. Research from 2017 to 2022 has found that aromatherapy with them can improve the quality of your rest at night when it’s used regularly and consistently.
In particular, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oil are some that can reduce congestion in your sinuses and lessen disturbances through the night. That way, you are able to feel just a bit more energized in the morning. However, more studies are needed to find out what doses and amounts would be best for certain conditions.
Do I Still Need Professional Treatment?
Whether you diffuse essential oils in the air or add them to things to massage into your skin, they aren’t a treatment method for sleep apnea. You should still visit your dentist for professional help. They will be able to give you effective solutions to alleviate this condition.
Your provider can give you an oral appliance that’ll keep your airways open during the night by slightly repositioning your jaw forward. This will help prevent your throat muscles from collapsing and blocking your airways. CPAP machines are also the more traditional method to treat OSA, but they’re still effective nonetheless!
Regardless, you can use essential oils in tandem with professional care, but you shouldn’t use them as a replacement. Talking to your dentist can help make sure you have the tools you need to get the undisturbed nights you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. He is happy to help the Baytown community with their sleep apnea by offering reliable treatments with oral appliances. By helping you get a diagnosis, Dr. Hutto can give you the next steps you need to get the rejuvenating rest you need. If you have this condition and want relief from it, schedule an appointment or call his office at (281) 422-8249.