Can CBD Oil Help with Sleep Apnea?

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’re probably researching steps you can take to manage it. Some people might suggest using CBD oil right before bed in order to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. But does this really work? Here’s what you need to know about sleep apnea and CBD as a possible treatment – as well as other solutions that might be worth pursuing.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is when your breathing is repeatedly paused while you’re asleep. In severe cases, breathing can be interrupted over 100 times in a single night. More often than not, sleep apnea is the result of the airway becoming blocked in some manner. The longer sleep apnea goes untreated, the more likely it is to lead to life-threatening health issues such as cardiovascular disease.

Can CBD Oil Be Used to Treat Sleep Apnea?

Research is currently being conducted to determine the potential benefits that CBD products can have when it comes to the quality of sleep. For example, CBD may help you fall asleep faster, thus allowing you to get more of the slumber you need to function at your best. Additionally, some researchers are exploring the possibility of CBD preventing the collapse of throat muscles that can lead to sleep apnea episodes.

All that being said, it has yet to be confirmed that CBD oil is truly a viable solution for sleep apnea. As such, until more research has been done, it is best to stick to more proven methods.

What Other Ways Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?

The most well-known form of sleep apnea treatment is CPAP therapy. This involves a special machine that uses pressurized air to stop your airway from collapsing while you’re asleep. CPAP therapy is certainly reliable, but many patients find it uncomfortable, and they may have a hard time falling asleep due to the noise of the machine.

As such, more and more people are starting to make the switch to oral appliance therapy. By simply wearing the right kind of oral appliance to reposition your jaw and tongue, you can keep your airway unobstructed so that you don’t have to worry about your breathing being interrupted. In certain cases, it may be possible to use an oral appliance in combination with a CPAP machine.

Sleep apnea is not a condition that you want to ignore for too long. If you suspect that you’re suffering from sleep disordered breathing, it is highly recommended that you reach out to a sleep apnea expert to ask about having a sleep test performed. Once you have received a diagnosis, you can start pursuing treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack has been practicing in Weatherford ever since her graduation from the Baylor College of Dentistry. She has completed a number of continuing education courses covering obstructive sleep apnea and related topics. She is an expert in using oral appliance therapy to help her patients overcome their sleep disorders. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Romack at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, visit her website or call (817) 594-3806.