IBS and Sleep Apnea:  Positive Lifestyle Changes   

The term sleep apnea is in reference to a condition where sleep is disturbed by a change or even cessation in breathing during sleep.  Obstructive sleep apnea is a common type of sleep apnea in which air is unable to pass through the nostrils.   The term apnea actually means “without breath” in Greek.  Apnea can last for periods of just a few seconds to as long as a minute.  There are some things that you can do to help your sleep apnea. 

Losing Weight & Quit Smoking 

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects well over 18 million Americans.  There is another common disorder that affects Americans, which is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS.  The symptoms of this condition include abdominal bloating, nausea, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea and more.  To help both apnea and IB you need to lose weight, sleep on your side, and stop smoking. 

These seemingly small changes will help you with both IBS and sleep apnea.  Losing weight is important because if you are at the ideal weight changes are that your apnea will become less prevalent and your IBS will likely improve, too.  You also need to try sleeping on your side instead of your back.  This will reduce the chances of apnea episodes and will also help you control your IBS. 

Another important step is to avoid drinking alcohol.  When you stop drinking and smoking you’ll allow for the muscles to relax and for your brain to be able to signal to your breathing muscles as effectively as possible.  When you quit smoking your muscles will be less likely to collapse at night, which will allow you to get a good night sleep and also stop the complications of IBS. 

These are relatively simple changes that you can make to your lifestyle that will allow you to gain control of your body.  While you may not be able to cure your apnea or IBS 100% when you make these small changes you will likely see a huge improvement.  This will allow you to begin to enjoy life more, sleep better, and suffer less discomfort in the name of IBS.