Do you always feel extremely tired despite having just slept eight hours? Have you been told that you snore loudly when you sleep? Have you woken yourself up with your own snoring? If you answered yes, you might have sleep apnea. But, do not fear. Read this article to learn about the sleep disorder, its symptoms and the most common treatments.
Speak with your doctor about getting a mouth guard that will help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea. You could have an overbite, small jaw, or narrow breathing passage that worsens your sleep apnea symptoms. A device made to assist you during sleep can provide you with enough air to flow through your body.
Being overweight can be a cause of sleep apnea. If this happens to be the problem then anyone dealing with sleep apnea should immediately shed this weight. Improving the overall health of the diet in combination with an increased level of exercise makes a simple, effective weight loss strategy. Taking carbohydrates out of a diet is something that studies show helps people lose weight.
Try losing weight if you are obese. Sleep apnea and obesity are often tied together. So, you can actually find substantial relief from your symptoms just from shedding even twenty or thirty pounds.
Consult with your doctor about getting a mouth piece. Sleep apnea can be magnified in effects by small jaws and recessed chins, as well as breathing passageways that are naturally narrow. You can get better grade rest at night using special devices that make alterations to your sleep positions so you wind up with better jaw alignment and posture.
Try using a mouth guard that’s custom-fitted for you. These are a great aid to sufferers of sleep apnea. It is a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and is much more comfortable to wear at night. The soft tissues in your throat can collapse when you sleep at night, and wearing a mouth guard can help to keep your airway unobstructed.
Limit your alcohol consumption. The natural effects of alcohol lead to over-relaxation of your muscles. That may be something people like when they drink, but it also can cause sleep apnea. Alcohol can relax the muscles in your throat, making it more difficult for your body to control your airway. If you’re not going to give up alcohol, then just don’t do it right before bedtime.
Eating healthier foods can help you deal with sleep apnea. Most people would find it surprising to know that your diet can be a factor in managing sleep apnea. Studies have shown that people that eat poor quality food have worse apnea than those who are overweight but eat healthier.
Do your best to sleep off your back and on your side. If you sleep on your back, this can make your sleep apnea worse. When you sleep on your back, tissue can block your throat and airways. Try to sleep on your side to avoid that. To prevent rolling over onto your back while you sleep, build a wall of pillows behind yourself.
It is possible for children to suffer from sleep apnea. Symptoms may include mouth breathing, hostility, irritability, bad grades, hyperactivity and inattentiveness. These symptoms can be similar to those of ADHD, so consult a doctor and consider both conditions.
Sleeping Pills
Find another way to get to sleep other than sleeping pills. Sleeping pills cause your throat muscles to relax, just like alcohol. They also can cause other harmful issues to make your sleep apnea worse. Think about asking your physician about ways you can get to sleep that will not affect your apnea.
If you have sleep apnea, never take sleeping pills. Sleeping pills relax throat muscles to the degree that they no longer properly function. This can be deadly when combined with sleep apnea. Sleeping pills are a bad idea.
Your doctor may suggest keeping a sleep journal to help pinpoint if you have sleep apnea or not. You will record the time you go to sleep and wake up, whether you woke up during the night and how you felt when you woke up each morning. Ask your partner to keep track of your snoring, movements, and whether you stop breathing at night. That helps the physician determine whether your symptoms are, in fact, sleep apnea.
Reading the above tips has armed you with the information you need to treat your sleep apnea problem. Consider this an accomplishment, since many do not bother to get to this point. After today, you should know how to tackle sleep apnea and discover a good night’s sleep.
If you are requiring a hospital visit, don’t leave the CPAP machine behind. Whether the hospital stay is a planned one or it’s just an emergency room visit, always bring along the CPAP machines just in case you need to stay for awhile. You have already set the pressure to the appropriate level, and you are accustomed to the mask that you have been using nightly. Staying in a hospital is tough enough, and you might as well bring your own machine along to help ease the visit as much as you can.