Could People with Sleep Apnea Benefit from CBD Oil?

Are you currently looking for ways to get your sleep apnea under control? There are plenty of steps you can take at home that can potentially help, such as losing weight or changing your sleeping position. However, in recent years, some people have suggested that CBD oil could also be used to reduce the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing. Is this really a viable option? Here are the facts that you should know before making any decisions regarding your sleep apnea treatment.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea. It can occur when your airway is partially or completely blocked while you’re asleep, resulting in pauses in your breathing; the blockage is often the result of the muscles and soft tissues in your mouth or throat collapsing and cutting off the flow of air. Frequent interruptions in your breathing can cause you to constantly wake up throughout the night, preventing you from getting quality sleep.

Could CBD Oil Help with Sleep Apnea?

There are some researchers who think that CBD oil might be able to make the muscles in the throat less prone to collapsing during sleep, thereby potentially lowering the risk of sleep apnea occurring. Furthermore, CBD oil may be able to reduce the amount of time needed to fall asleep, which could be helpful for those who aren’t currently getting enough shut-eye due to sleep-disordered breathing.

Despite these possibilities, however, there is currently no conclusive evidence regarding whether CBD oil could be an effective solution for sleep apnea. Until more research has been performed, it’s recommended that you stick to more established forms of treatment.

How Can You Have Sleep Apnea Treated?

The traditional way to treat obstructive sleep apnea is with a CPAP machine. This device uses a constant stream of pressurized air in order to keep the airway open throughout the night, thus reducing breathing interruptions.

Of course, some patients find CPAP machines to be too noisy or uncomfortable to use. That’s why sleep dentists offer an alternative in the form of a customized oral appliance. When you wear one of these devices, it can change the position of your jaw and tongue to make airway obstructions less likely to happen. Oral appliances can often be an effective solution for mild or moderate cases of sleep-disordered breathing.

It’s important to have sleep apnea properly addressed as quickly as possible before it can have a devastating impact on your health and your quality of life. It’s therefore best to reach out to a sleep apnea expert as soon as you can so that you can start exploring potential solutions.

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack is a graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry. Since 2005, she has completed many continuing education courses covering obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and similar topics. She currently holds membership with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and other organizations. At Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, she offers personalized oral appliances for sleep-disordered breathing. If you’re looking for a solution for sleep apnea, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Romack by visiting her website or calling (817) 594-3806.