DEAR DR. GOTT: I don’t have a question but I would like to share this “cure” with you.
My husband had been officially diagnosed as having sleep apnea at a sleep test center, so imagine our surprise when he stopped having sleep apnea soon after he quit drinking his nightly glass of milk. In fact, I thought I’d gone deaf because for the first time in years, I was able to sleep through the night without interruption. We know this is the direct cause since he will still have an episode of sleep apnea on the rare occasion that he indulges in milk or iced cream before bedtime.
DEAR READER: Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that occurs when sleeping and causes the sufferer to stop breathing for extended periods, causes snoring, waking up gasping for breath and more. Severe cases can be potentially fatal without adequate treatment.
Milk, or rather any high-fat diary product is notorious for increasing mucus production which can worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Other culprits include high-fat meats, simple carbs (such as sugar or foods high in sugar), even some fruits such as a bananas, and more.
In my opinion, your husband should forgo his occasional nighttime dairy indulgences and instead opt for a treat that doesn’t cause his symptoms of sleep apnea. If he still wants to drink milk or eat iced cream on occasion, fine, but he should do so during the afternoon or well before retiring for the evening.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Sleep/Wake Disorders” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
