Ever wonder why you feel tired even when it seems like you should have gotten a reasonable amount of sleep? If you have already examined other options, then it is possible you suffer from sleep apnea. If you think that’s the case, don’t worry, just read this article.
Extra weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea. If this is true for you, try getting a little thinner. Diet and exercise can do wonders to treat this condition. Reducing carbohydrate intake can be an effective way to take off the pounds, according to some recent studies.
Sleep Apnea
If your sleep apnea is a result of narrow airways, look at options for a mouth guard. These mouth guards correct airways and facilitate breathing. It’s best to see a medical professional to get fitted properly for a guard that will fit your individual situation.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol and smoking are very bad for the condition. The muscle-relaxing effects of alcohol are very hard on the whole respiratory system and lead to significant breathing problems. Smoking introduces known carcinogens into your lungs and damages them over time. Eliminating these habits is going to help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.
A physician is the best person to ask about which CPAP machine is the right one to use for your specific situation. The size of the machine and the loudness are both things that need to be considered. There are some small machines that make little noises. The doctor would be able to guide you to the right one to use.
You may have success in treating your sleep apnea with a doctor-prescribed fitted mouth guard. You could be dealing with a narrow breathing airways, or a small jaw which can all make the problems of sleep apnea much worse. Custom devices that control the position of an irregular attribute that you possess can give you a great deal of relief.
Playing wind instruments can actually help you control sleep apnea. A German study found that didgeridoo playing gives you better motor control over your airways. These are the muscles that control airway dilatation and airway wall rigidity. Because weaknesses in these muscles can cause apnea, playing regularly may actually help you sleep better at night.
If you want relief from sleep apnea symptoms, one way to get it is to start playing a woodwind instrument. Playing this kind of instrument strengthens your muscles in the upper airways. Upper airway muscles manage dilation and stiffening of airway walls. Because weaknesses in these muscles can cause apnea, playing regularly may actually help you sleep better at night.
Try to sleep on your side instead of your back to breathe easier when you sleep. When you sleep on your back, the airways get obstructed due to the throat and nasal passages being more prone to obstruction. Do your best to fall asleep while on your side in an effort to reduce the symptoms of your apnea.
If your physician has prescribed a CPAP machine, do try to sleep a minimum of four hours with it nightly. Many people find it very difficult to feel comfortable using a CPAP to go to sleep. However, it won’t be effective if you don’t use it every day. Just use it as much as possible and you’ll get used to using it after a couple of weeks.
Look for alternatives to sleeping pills. Sleeping pills carry the risk of throat relaxation, much the same as alcohol does. They also lead to other issues that can cause many problems, especially for someone suffering with sleep apnea. Consult your doctor to find a sleep aid that won’t impact your breathing.
Avoid alcohol before bed as much as possible. Alcohol has a relaxing effect on all your muscles. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. If you absolutely have to have a drink, don’t do as much as you used to. And avoid having one close to bedtime.
Keeping a sleep log can help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea. 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. Your spouse can inform you of any excessive snoring, jerking, or momentary lapses in your breathing. Your doctor can use this information to determine if you actually suffer from sleep apnea.
Many children suffer with sleep apnea. If your kid is acting out at school and cranky all the time, he might have sleep apnea. The symptoms can be confused with those of ADHD, so it is important to speak with your doctor to see if sleep apnea is a possibility.
Lose a bit of weight to get rid of your sleep apnea. Many sufferers of sleep apnea have found that shedding their unwanted pounds makes their sleep apnea go away entirely. Just losing a few percentage points of your starting weight can dramatically reduce your symptoms of sleep apnea, as well create more space in your throat and air passages.
Sleep apnea is not a condition to take likely. If you find you have some of the symptoms, talk to a physician as soon as you can. Then, if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can talk with a specialist and even use a sleep monitor to understand the severity.
Use a single, normal-sized pillow for sleeping. An over-sized pillow or multiple pillows can actually skew your position. Not only is this bad for your neck in general, it also restricts your airway. For this reason, stick with just one pillow to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms.
Do you now feel much more confident in dealing with your sleep apnea? You will sleep much better if you put what you’ve learned in this article into practice. Keep in mind that like many significant alterations in your lifestyle, addressing your sleep apnea is going to take some time. Remain dedicated to the treatments you’re using and you should see a gradual improvement in your situation.
Try using a nasal spray for an irritated nose. This will dry out the passages and help clear them out temporarily. Don’t use it over a long duration because it can cause problems. Head to your pharmacy to see what your options are to deal with your nose bothering you in your sleep.