Answer to Question 1
Answer: You should avoid alcohol for at least 6 hours before bedtime because while a drink might seem relaxing, the sedative effect invariably wears offtypically a few hours after you nod offyou're likely to wake up unable to get back to sleep.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: For mild cases of sleep apnea, taking care of contributing factors may solve the problem. For example, the patient may need to lose weight, quit smoking, avoid all alcohol, or use nasal decongestants. Patients are also advised to sleep on their side. For moderate cases, an orthodontist can fit the patient with a plastic mouthpiece that adjusts the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airways open during sleep. Or the patient can sleep with a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure: Through a mask that fits over the sleeper's nose and mouth, the device sends air into the sleeper's throat at a pressure just high enough to keep the airways open. In cases of severe sleep apnea, surgery to widen the breathing passages may be necessary. It usually involves shrinking, stiffening, or removing excess tissue in the mouth and throat or resetting the lower jaw.