Singing helps to sleep apnea?

[tonytexas]

I heard that singing can be beneficial to apnea patients. It acts as an exercise to strengthen the muscle from collapsing during sleep. I guess you have to sign a lot to have any effect. Has anyone heard about this or know there is actually any medical evidence?

[roster]

I guess you have to sing a lot to have any effect.

24 hours per day and you will be apnea free.

[LinkC]

What I've read about it indicates that singing (which is an exhalation exercise) doesn't really strengthen any muscles which would alleviate OSA....BUT it causes general relaxation of the body which CAN help with symptoms. Same with digeridoo playing, btw...

EDIT: I've just done some Googling and found this from Dr. Park: http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/sh ... leep-Apnea

The claims about palate muscle strengthening seem to come mostly from those trying to sell "singing therapy" programs to frustrated CPAPers...

[park_ridge_dave]

What I've read about it indicates that singing (which is an exhalation exercise) doesn't really strengthen any muscles which would alleviate OSA....BUT it causes general relaxation of the body which CAN help with symptoms. Same with digeridoo playing, btw...

The claims about palate muscle strengthening seem to come mostly from those trying to sell "singing therapy" programs to frustrated CPAPers...

Awwww Geeeee Link when did you get to be such a "spoilsport" I was so hoping to cure my Sleep Apnea and win "American Idol" in the bargain.

I am making a trip to the hardware store for some PVC tubing and beeswax so I can get my Digeree Doo skills back up to snuff. Maybe I'll have to make a return visit to Aussie Land?

Beers are cold there and the people are warm and friendly too!

Cheers,

Save

[elena88]

I love to sing, and take singing lessons too.

My voice has gotten worse since I have been on cpap, and my singing teacher is trying to help me through it..

HOWEVER, the breathing excercises one does for singing will teach you to use muscles to breath deeper and better than

you might not do now, especially if you are shallow breather.. so whatever breathing you are doing with your cpap might

be enhanced or made easier.. and anything that helps cpap cant be bad!

Its not helping my voice at all though! I had to start an entire new play list of songs after cpap (karaoke maven)

Instead of melissa manchester, its annie lennex!

[LinkC]

Well, "Save"...

I'm guessing the night you appear on "Idol", NONE of America will sleep well...

[blakepro]

It is an interesting idea though. Singing does require you to "flex" (for lack of a better word) different muscles in your throat to achieve the various pitches and stuff doesn't it?

I doubt it would "cure" anyone, but it would be interesting to see if it could help lessen the symptoms.

[park_ridge_dave]

This topic does bring up an interesting question in my mind.

Has anybody ever done a study to gauge the incidence and severity of OSA amongst singers and/or wind instrument players??

That could be interesting. And certainly more enlightening than the study that found if you give people stimulants they feel more "alert"

Cheers,

Dave

P.S. Link rest easy I NEVER sing in public!