| The use of alternative therapies is becoming more | | | | How Does the World Smell To You? |
| and more popular as more folks recognize that | | | | Aroma therapy has been shown to be useful in |
| natural methods of curing and treatment have sound | | | | dealing with sleep apnea episodes. Using vervain |
| medical foundations. These are the folks who | | | | essence in oils, candles, and atomizers has a |
| remember that aspirin originally -- with the ancient | | | | tendency to relax you. In addition to helping you deal |
| Greeks -- started as a distillation of willow bark. In | | | | with your sleep disorder, this relaxation also tends to |
| short, nature often provides the resources to fix | | | | lower stress and high blood pressure. Vervain and |
| what's wrong with you. | | | | assorted other flower/essence remedies can be |
| How's Your Weight? | | | | found at most health food stores or can be found |
| Be honest, now. If you're having sleep apnea | | | | on-line. If you are not already familiar with aroma |
| problems, there's a very good chance that you're | | | | therapy, you should investigate this form of |
| overweight by at least 15 pounds. That extra weight | | | | non-invasive alternative therapy for yourself. |
| often goes to the neck ("double chin" anyone?) and | | | | How's Your Serotonin? |
| results in a restricted airway. If you're overweight, | | | | There evidence that sleep apnea is sometimes |
| try losing those extra pounds and see whether that | | | | related to your serotonin levels. The nerves that |
| doesn't resolve the problem. There are other benefits | | | | control your breathing require a certain amount of |
| to losing the extra weight, too; but you probably | | | | serotonin in order to be effective. Additionally, your |
| already know -- you've already heard way too much | | | | body's serotonin receptors control which hormones |
| from friends and family -- about those benefits, so I | | | | are released into your body, and when they're |
| won't go into them here. | | | | released, and in what amounts. Cortisol is one of |
| In addition to losing weight, or while you're in the | | | | those hormones controlled by serotonin -- and |
| process of losing weight, you might also try sleeping | | | | cortisol controls, among other things, the muscles |
| on your side. This tends to help keep the airway | | | | that make breathing possible. |
| open as it makes it more difficult for the musculature | | | | Researchers have concluded that sleep apnea often |
| to collapse. | | | | results from failures within the serotonin system. |
| How's Your Diet? | | | | They further contend that the use of a serotonin |
| Homeopathy practitioners believe that there is a | | | | precursor, such as 5-HTP, can be highly beneficial if |
| connection between sleep apnea and loss of energy. | | | | you're suffering debilitating sleep apnea. Doctors who |
| Thus, diet is something that you should pay attention | | | | recommend 5-HTP suggest that you consume 100 to |
| to if you're struggling with sleep apnea. You should | | | | 300 mg (milligrams) of 5-HTP before you go to bed |
| probably consider reducing the amount of sugar in | | | | so that your sleep will be more restful and less |
| your diet, along with foods you may be mildly allergic | | | | disturbed. 5-HTP is also alleged to improve your |
| to -- perhaps so mildly allergic that you're unaware of | | | | concentration and productivity throughout the course |
| it. A homeopathic practitioner will consider your | | | | of the day. |
| situation and may recommend other foods and | | | | How's Your Skepticism? |
| additives that you should stay away from. | | | | There are those who, in their own minds, tend to |
| The homeopathic practitioner may recommend one | | | | equate "alternative therapy" with "quack medicine." |
| or more herbal medicines. These recommendations | | | | Hopefully you've come to recognize -- as has much |
| are often based upon your particular personality. | | | | of "the medical establishment" -- that alternative |
| Lachesis is frequently recommended to extroverted | | | | therapies such as acupressure, acupuncture, aroma |
| individuals. If you're extroverted, charismatic, swift to | | | | therapy, and many more have a scientific basis |
| anger and other mood swings, then you may be the | | | | underlying their effectiveness. If you have not yet |
| perfect candidate for lachesis. On the other hand, if | | | | considered alternative therapies as a potential |
| you're introverted or have a history of pain and | | | | treatment, perhaps it's now time to do so. |
| discomfort -- either emotional or physical pain -- then | | | | Alternative therapies should be an adjunct to |
| you may be susceptible to treatment with | | | | traditional medical treatment, not a replacement for |
| homeopathic opium. | | | | consulting your doctor. |