Sleep apnea occurs when the throat closes up during sleep. The condition can be very dangerous as it can be life threatening and may even cause a higher risk for heart attack. Those with sleep apnea stop breathing when they are sleeping. There are several home remedies for sleep apnea such as losing weight, not smoking, not drinking alcohol near bedtime and controlling allergies. A doctor should be consulted when sleep apnea is suspected.

A tell-tale sign of sleep apnea is heavy snoring followed by a stop in breathing. The absence of air causes gasping. The breathing can stop for as little as ten seconds or as much as several minutes. Many sleep apnea sufferers wake up several times each night. Overweight men of middle age or older are the most likely to suffer from sleep apnea, but others may also develop the condition.

Losing weight is one of the best home remedies for sleep apnea. Most people who have the condition are overweight and losing weight has been shown to help sleep apnea dramatically. This is because fat deposits in the mouth of an obese person can limit breathing and breathing is further limited when the person is laying down.

Smoking increases the chances of sleep apnea occurring as it tends to create congestion in the upper air passages. Also, the chemicals in cigarettes irritate the respiratory system. Quitting smoking has been shown to greatly decrease the risk of developing sleep apnea.

Studies have found that drinking alcohol before bedtime can make sleep apnea much more likely to occur. Alcohol depresses the nervous system and relaxes the muscles in the air passages. Over-relaxed breathing muscles lead to increased snoring and the increased possibility of breathing stoppage.

Since sleep apnea occurs when breathing airways are limited or blocked, allergic reactions can increase the development of sleep apnea. Known allergies need to be avoided. Anything that interferes with the respiratory system's functioning and causes a congested nose or throat can increase the risks of sleep apnea.