Medical Cannabis Is a No-No for Sleep Apnea, Experts Say

There are some treatments of sleep apnea that may help if you are not comfortable using medical marijuana. Alternative remedies can include:

• Try sleeping on your side and not your back.. Sleeping on your back makes it easier for your tongue and the soft tissues in your throat to obstruct your airway.  
• There is also the tennis ball trick Sew a tennis ball into a pocket on the back of your pajamas, or stuff your pillow with tennis balls and put it behind your back. It'll make it really uncomfortable to turn yourself over.
• Prop your head up. Elevate the head of your bed to approximately six inches. You can also elevate your body by using a special cervical pillow or even a foam wedge.
• Open up your nasal passages at night by using a nasal dilator. You can also use saline spray, a nasal irrigation system (neti pot) or breathing strips.
• Squeeze the muscles that keep your mouth closed. Chew gum or hold a pencil between your teeth until your jaw starts to hurt to tighten your jaw muscles.
• Singing can help increase muscle control in your throat and soft palate. Singing will help reduce your snores and other sleep apnea symptoms that are caused by relaxed muscles.
• Play the didgeridoo or a native Australian wind instrument. Practicing the didgeridoo will help strengthen the throat and soft palate. It will also decrease your snoring.