Many people make the mistake in believing that continued tiredness for months on end is just a fact of life and nothing can be done about it. That is far from the truth. Sleep apnea is something people should accept and do research about.
If you want real assistance with sleep apnea at night, talk to a physician about the optimal CPAP machine for you. You must consider both the size of your machine and its loudness. Certain machines are actually smaller than your average bread box, and they whisper quietly. Your physician can recommend the best manufacturers in the industry.
If you have sleep apnea because of naturally narrow airways, get a sleep mouth guard. These can help you breathe better and clear your airways. If you think a mouth guard might help you out, consult a physician and ask her to fit you with one.
Do you smoke or drink alcoholic beverages? Drop these unhealthy habits. These items can harm your airways. Smoking causes swelling in the airway. On the other hand, alcohol causes the airway to relax, much like sleeping pills. Eliminate drinking or smoking before bedtime if you can’t avoid them entirely.
In order to assist you with sleep apnea, you must talk to your doctor about what CPAP machines to use. The machine size and how loud it is are things you should think about. Certain machines are actually smaller than your average bread box, and they whisper quietly. Your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction of a capable machine.
Get a mouth guard made specifically for you. Guards such as these were designed for someone who suffers with sleep apnea. A mouth guard is more comfortable than wearing a CPAP and is better to sleep with. The guard assists in opening up your airways and stabilizing the soft tissues.
Sleep Apnea
You must use your CPAP at least 4 hours nightly after receiving your unit. It can be hard for some people to sleep with the CPAP initially. However, you must use your CPAP a minimum of four hours for it to be effective. If it is hard and become difficult to adjust to in the beginning, then ensure you are using it at least four hours a night.
Shed a bit of weight if you can. Studies have found a correlation between sleep apnea and obesity. Alternatively, if you shed twenty five pounds you can see a tremendous improvement in the symptoms of sleep apnea, especially if you are dealing with obesity.
A diagnosis of sleep apnea usually involves your personal and family medical histories, as well as a comprehensive physical examination. Also, your doctor may want to try a sleep study on you. Depending on the results, you may be referred to a specialist.
Purchase yourself a mouth guard that is made specifically for your mouth. These special guards are designed to help people who suffer with sleep apnea. It’s a good way to get around having to use a CPAP machine, and feels better to wear throughout the night. The guard assists in opening up your airways and stabilizing the soft tissues.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, avoid sleeping pills. The muscles in your airway may become too relaxed. If your sleep apnea is bad, these can prove a real risk. No matter how bad you want a good night’s sleep, these are not the answer.
You need a regular sleep schedule if you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep every night. Using simple sleep hygiene techniques like this one will help you avoid health problems and falling asleep during the day. The adjustment that is most important is your sleep schedule.
In an effort to better diagnose your apnea problem, your physician might want you to maintain a sleep log. This log is where you’ll keep track of how much you sleep during the night, and other symptoms you may experience. Ask your partner for more specific information on how loud your snoring is, the quality of your breathing and even how restful you were. Your doctor can use this information to determine if you actually suffer from sleep apnea.
Get rid of as many sleep apnea factors as possible. There are some factors that are unavoidable. These can include being male or family genetics. On the other hand, certain risk factors, such as being fat, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol, are entirely under your control.
Establish a sleep routine if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Your condition is already disrupting your nightly sleep cycle. Do what you can to establish a regular pattern to improve your health and feel less tired. So try and get into bed around the same times every night.
Many people can reduce the severity of their sleep apnea symptoms by losing excess weight. Sleep apnea is more common in patients who are overweight and have a large neck circumference. If you lose that weight, the pressure on your air passage will be lessened, which will improve the quality of your breathing.
A medical ID is a must for those being assisted by a CPAP machine. This is particularly important if you have an accident and require overnight hospitalization. Your ID should clearly state all information relevant to your sleep apnea, including what pressure level setting you use for your CPAP.
If you have sleep apnea, do not drink a lot of alcohol. When you drink you relax your throat muscles which actually provokes them to collapse. If you’re dealing with sleep apnea, it’s a good idea to avoid drinking as much as possible, especially in the hours close to your bed time. This will ensure alcohol doesn’t affect your sleep.
Remember to bring the CPAP machine with you if you should happen to require a stay at the hospital. It’s important to have your familiar mask and machine available in the hospital, whether you’re there for a planned visit or an unplanned emergency. Your mask has been fitted to you or maybe you have a special humidifier attached to your mask that a hospital won’t have. Even if you are hospitalized, you can seamlessly continue using your CPAP in this manner.
People that snore or have sleep apnea can play a musical instrument to help. A study in Germany proved that playing a Didgeridoo can reduce sleep apnea symptoms and induce other soothing effects. Any instrument that strengthens your airway muscles can improve your breathing at night.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, get your allergy and sinus problems treated. During the night, you are already dealing with breathing problems. You do not need anything else reducing your ability to get air while you sleep. You can get a much better night’s sleep if your treat your allergies or sinus problems and keep your breathing clearer.
Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. It can restrict your airway and make it hard to breathe. Try side sleeping; if you keep rolling back, use a pillow to prop yourself sideways.
If you have tried many treatment options and nothing works, then it is time to contact your doctor for more serious treatment alternatives. For people who did not benefit from traditional treatment alternatives, they can resort to surgery to take out the tonsils or to make the airway wider.
Search for effective treatment options to address your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is often a progressive condition so it is best to get treatment immediately. Avoid waiting for your condition to deteriorate. If you wonder whether you have sleep apnea, talk to a doctor right away.
Nasal sprays can help you sleep when your nose is being a nuisance to you. It may offer a couple nights of relief. However, never use this spray over a long period of time, since it can cause your nose to irritated and damaged. Talk to a pharmacist to see which spray they recommend.
There are some sleep apnea cases that you can cure with oral devices. Some people have a natural shape and set to their jaws that encourages restricted air passages and makes sleep apnea more likely. A corrective device will alter the jaw alignment and allow greater passage of air.
Find ways to decrease the risk factors of our sleep apnea. Be aware that certain risk factors, like gender and genes, cannot be changed. But others, such as weight smoking and drinking, can be controlled.
Now that are more educated about the subject, you know what to be mindful of in your life in terms of symptoms and potential treatments. Do not let people try to convince you that being tired is OK, it is not and you should seek the advice of a doctor.
Stop smoking cigarettes if you have sleep apnea. Smoking swells up your upper airways, which can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. Try to use some nicotine patches or other stop smoking programs or medications. The majority of smokers say that the first month is the hardest. Beyond that, it becomes easier as your body detoxes from the nicotine.