Understanding and Treating Sleep Apnea with Functional Medicine and Acupuncture
Sleep apnea is a common yet often overlooked sleep disorder affecting millions worldwide.
Characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, this condition can lead to a range of health issues, from fatigue and cardiovascular problems to metabolic disorders and cognitive impairments.
At Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine, I believe in addressing sleep apnea through an integrative approach using the best of Western medicine to ensure proper ventilation with a combination of Eastern and functional medicine to identify root causes and optimize overall health.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeated interruptions during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep.
Central sleep apnea (CSA), on the other hand, involves the brain failing to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Loud snoring
Episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
Morning headache
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Difficulty concentrating
Mood changes, such as depression or irritability (1)
Standard Approaches to treating Sleep Apnea
Allopathic medicine approach in treating obstructive sleep apnea focuses mostly on opening the airways in order to get air into the lungs. There are several approaches to treating sleep apnea, each tailored to the type and severity of the condition as well as the patient's specific needs (2,3).
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP Machine: The most common and effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. It delivers constant and steady air pressure through a mask worn during sleep to keep the airways open.
BiPAP Machine: Similar to CPAP but provides two levels of pressure – a higher pressure when inhaling and a lower pressure when exhaling. This can be more comfortable for some patients.
Oral Appliances
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): These devices fit in the mouth like a sports mouth guard and hold the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open.
Tongue Retaining Devices: These hold the tongue in a forward position to keep the airway open.
Surgical Options
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removes tissue from the rear of the mouth and top of the throat. Tonsils and adenoids may also be removed if present.
Genioglossus Advancement (GA): Moves the tongue muscle attachment forward to increase the size of the airway.
Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA): Moves the upper and lower jaw forward to enlarge the airway.
Implants: Small implants can be inserted into the soft palate to help keep the airway open.
Tracheostomy: Creating a new air passage in the throat. This is usually reserved for severe, life-threatening sleep apnea when other treatments have failed.
These treatment options may be appropriate for some individuals. Others may choose to use a CPAP or oral appliances in the short term to treat the branch while addressing lifestyle factors and exploring alternative treatment options to address the root.
The Functional Medicine Perspective
Functional medicine aims to address the underlying causes of diseases, looking beyond the symptoms to understand the whole person. For sleep apnea, this approach involves a comprehensive evaluation of lifestyle, nutrition, environmental factors, and underlying physiological imbalances that are at the root of developing OSA.
Key Factors Contributing to Sleep Apnea
Weight and Metabolic Health: Obesity is a significant risk factor for OSA. Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can obstruct breathing. Additionally, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. (4,5)
Inflammation and Gut Health: Chronic inflammation and poor gut health can contribute to sleep apnea (5). An imbalanced gut microbiome affects systemic inflammation and may influence airway function. (6,7)
Nutrient Deficiencies: Deficiencies in key nutrients, such as vitamin D, C, E, A, magnesium, and other trace minerals, can impair muscle function and contribute to sleep disorders. (8, 9, 10)
Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances, particularly in thyroid and sex hormones, can influence sleep apnea. (11) For instance, hypothyroidism can lead to muscle weakness and contribute to airway obstruction. (12)
Environmental Toxins: Exposure to environmental toxins can disrupt endocrine function and exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. (13) Reducing toxin exposure and supporting detoxification pathways are crucial components of a functional medicine approach.
Functional Medicine Strategies for Managing Sleep Apnea
Personalized Nutrition and Weight Management
Adopting a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet can help support weight loss and reduce inflammation. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber.
Incorporating specific nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and magnesium, can support overall health and improve sleep quality.
Gut Health Optimization
Restoring gut health through probiotics, prebiotics, herbs, and a diverse diet can reduce systemic inflammation and improve sleep apnea symptoms.
Your functional medicine practitioner may recommend personalized supplements and dietary adjustments to restore a healthy gut microbiome.
Hormone Balancing
Evaluating and addressing hormonal imbalances is crucial for managing sleep apnea. This may involve a full thyroid panel, as well as DUTCH test for advanced sex and adrenal hormones. Your functional medicine doctor can devise a personal treatment plan to address these hormone imbalances and improve sleep.
Environmental Detoxification
Reducing exposure to environmental toxins involves lifestyle changes, such as using air purifiers, avoiding plastic containers, and choosing natural personal care products. Supporting the body’s detoxification pathways through proper hydration, a balanced diet, and targeted supplements can also be beneficial.
Stress Management and Sleep Hygiene
Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga, can reduce cortisol levels and improve sleep quality. Establishing a regular sleep routine, creating a restful sleep environment, and limiting screen time before bed are essential practices for enhancing sleep hygiene.
Avoiding Alcohol and Sedatives
Alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, and some antidepressants can relax the muscles in the throat, worsening sleep apnea.
Positional Therapy
Patients with OSA that is more prominent in the supine position can adapt a side sleeping position.
Regular Exercise
Engaging in physical activity can help improve overall sleep quality and help maintain a healthy weight.
Acupuncture: A Complementary Therapy for Sleep Apnea
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture, a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to balance the flow of energy, or Qi. Modern medical research suggests that acupuncture may work through several mechanisms (14):
Nervous System Stimulation: Acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system, leading to the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, which can reduce pain and promote relaxation.
Endorphin Release: The body's natural painkillers, endorphins, are released during acupuncture, helping to alleviate discomfort and stress.
Blood Flow Improvement: Acupuncture enhances blood circulation, reducing inflammation and improving oxygenation of tissues.
Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea
Research indicates that acupuncture may offer several benefits for individuals with sleep apnea (15,16):
Improved Sleep Quality: Acupuncture can enhance sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety, common contributors to sleep disturbances.
Reduction in Apnea Episodes: Studies suggest that acupuncture may help reduce the frequency and severity of apnea episodes by improving airway muscle tone and function.
Enhanced Respiratory Function: Acupuncture can improve respiratory muscle strength and coordination, aiding in more effective breathing during sleep.
Integrating Acupuncture into a Functional Medicine Approach
Acupuncture offers a promising complementary therapy for managing sleep apnea within a functional medicine framework. By addressing both the physical and energetic aspects of health, acupuncture can help reduce apnea episodes, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being.
Take Charge of Your Sleep Apnea
Addressing sleep apnea requires a comprehensive, functional medicine approach that goes beyond symptom management.
At Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine, I integrate acupuncture into my comprehensive functional medicine approach to address sleep apnea. By combining acupuncture with other personalized therapies, I aim to tackle the root causes of sleep apnea and optimize overall health, so you can achieve better sleep and improved quality of life.
I am dedicated to providing holistic, personalized care to help you achieve restful sleep and optimal health.
If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, request a free consultation with me, Dr. Martina Sturm, today to begin your journey towards better health and restful sleep.
References
Sleep Apnea-What it is, its risk factors, its health impacts, and how it can be treated
Gut Microbiome and Sleep Apnea: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential
The Effects of Dietary Nutrition on Sleep and Sleep Disorders
Nutrient Deficiencies and Sleep Disorders: An Emerging Connection
Acupuncture for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review