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Whether it is a business trip or a weeklong vacation, getting out of town could mean catching up on some much-needed sleep.
That is, of course, unless you have obstructive sleep apnea.
If you find yourself struggling to breathe at night, there are a few preventative steps you can take to make your next venture more restful.
Dr. Joshua Levine, an otolaryngologist and sleep surgeon from CEENTA Blakeney, explains how your body’s angle can affect sleep apnea. “Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked while sleeping. Finding a good sleeping position on a plane or train can be difficult, but choosing a window seat gives you additional space to adjust your posture. If you doze off, an upright position often improves sleep apnea.”
If you are unable to select a window seat, a travel neck pillow can help. This handy accessory keeps your head elevated while you sleep, making sleep apnea less likely to occur.
Pack your CPAP in your carry-on luggage
If you rely on a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, be sure to always pack the device in your carry-on luggage for easy access. The machine does not count toward your carry-on allowance and can even be used in flight. Look at your airline's policies and confirm that you have the correct adapter.
An over-the-counter oral appliance, such as SnoreRx or PureSleep, can also be helpful for some with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Avoid alcohol or eating just prior to sleep, as these can increase both sleep apnea severity and reflux, which may worsen symptoms.
Make sure you bring the correct adapter for your machine when traveling and try to maintain adequate sleep time. These tips can help make traveling with sleep apnea easier, but they can also take away from what should be an enjoyable experience. If you are having difficulty tolerating your CPAP machine, or are no longer able to use it, there are other options to treat sleep apnea that our ENTs can discuss with you.
At CEENTA, we offer options such as Inspire therapy, a revolutionary treatment performed by our experienced sleep surgeons that eliminates the need for CPAP entirely. In addition, nasal and throat surgery may optimize your airway to reduce sleep apnea.
To find out if you are a candidate for these procedures, schedule your consultation with Dr. Joshua Levine today by calling 704-295-3000.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor.
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