Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing is interrupted several times during sleep. The pause in breathing may last anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds. You may wake up suddenly due to the sudden lack of oxygen but might consider this disruption as snoring. For mild cases of sleep apnea, alternative treatments may be sufficient to bring a difference. Here is a list of a few such treatment options:

1. Oral devices
Oral and dental devices such as mouth guards have become a popular alternative treatments for sleep apnea. The device prevents the airway from collapsing by keeping the tongue in position or by sliding your jaw forward so that you can breathe easy while you sleep.

2. Weight management
Obese people often have thick necks with more tissues that block the air passage. Losing weight may not exactly be a cure for sleep apnea. But an optimum weight can reduce breathing interruptions and daytime sleepiness, reducing sleep apnea significantly. Even modest weight reduction has been known to reduce sleep apnea.

3. Exercise
Exercising can improve alertness and energy levels during the day. It can make you physically tired, thus giving rise to a sound and deep sleep. Exercises like resistance training, yoga, and aerobics can help strengthen the muscles in the airway and improve breathing.

4. Changes in sleeping position
When you experience sleep apnea, sleeping on your back or your stomach is not advisable, as it obstructs breathing. This position causes the tongue, jaw, and other tissues to drop back towards the throat, thus narrowing your airway. The best way is to lie on your side. If you tend to toss and turn during sleep, then you can consider wearing a device that can help you side-sleep.

5. Avoiding alcohol, sedatives, and anti-anxiety medicines
Taking any of these medicines, especially before bedtime, can interfere with your breathing. Although they relax the muscles, they should be avoided before bedtime. Consider quitting smoking and reducing or completely avoiding alcohol, as both contribute to inflammation and a blocked airway.

6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the alternative treatments, which is known to show some effectiveness in treating sleep apnea. Experts recommend about three sessions per week; however, results are visible after at least 30 sessions.

Sleep apnea can cause many problems, such as daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality; in some cases, problems might be severe. Please note that these treatment options should be tried only after consulting a physician.