If you suffer from sleep apnea or insomnia, it’s safe to say you’re tired, and probably willing to try just about anything to get a good night’s sleep. From meditation to white noise to diffusing oils, we spend millions, possibly more, each year on chasing those often-elusive z’s. But when it comes to sleep apnea and insomnia, it’s often for naught. Enter herbal teas. Drank for centuries across the globe, if you look hard enough there’s likely an herbal tea for whatever ails you, and then some. From soothing an upset stomach to soothing cold and flu symptoms, jumpstarting your day with a boost of energy, to yes, even helping you go to sleep, tea is a versatile beverage that not only soothes but allegedly has healing properties too.But is drinking tea before bed really a good idea? While many think so, it could be a placebo affect, or worse yet, it could have the opposite effect, depending on the type of tea you drink. Yes, even the decaf teas marketed as bedtime tea.Exactly why is not known, but doctors surmise that some patients may be sensitive to some of the herbs found in blended teas, while others are simply drinking liquid too close to bedtime and will likely need to wake up to urinate in the middle of the night. Furthermore, some teas sneak in caffeine without you realizing it, keeping you up against your will, and against your wishes.That’s why choosing a tea should be done with care. First, check the caffeine levels on the tea, yes, even on night time tea blends. If your tea is loose or does not come packaged, ask the tea shopkeeper which blends are best for sleep and contain no caffeine.Next, find a blend that tastes good to you. No matter how effective tea is at soothing you every night, it won’t help much if you won’t drink it.Finally, experts recommend if you must drink tea before bed, do so following dinner, or at least two hours before you head to bed, so that your body not only has time to digest the herbs, but also to process the water in the tea and it won’t keep you up and heading to the restroom all night.For those with sleep apnea, tea may still help you fall asleep, but it is imperative that you still use your sleep orthotic device as prescribed by Dr. Peterson. This will ensure that while you are asleep you are still breathing properly and safely.To learn more about sleep orthotic solutions from Dr. Peterson, please contact the office for a consultation today.
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