We all hate losing sleep, so imagine what a sleep apnea sufferer faces. Luckily, there exist a variety of methods you can employ in your fight to reclaim your sleep. The tips ahead are going to help you deal with sleep apnea.
One way to fight against sleep apnea is to give up vices. Few things are worse for sleep apnea than drinking and smoking. Consuming alcohol can lead to trouble with your respiratory system. Smoking inserts carcinogens into the lungs, which eventually damages them. If you quit these habits you are likely to see an improvement in your sleeping difficulties.
Try using a mouth guard to help you sleep. Mouth guards help keep your jaw in a proper position. While they won’t work for everyone, they do work for many people who find them to be easy to use and successful in treating their sleep apnea. It really helps keep the airways clear and keeps the soft tissues of the throat stable.
If you are obese, start a weight loss program. There are many studies that link sleep apnea to obesity. You may cure sleep apnea by just shedding twenty pounds.
Sleep Apnea
If your doctor prescribes a mouth guard, make sure it is properly fitted. They make these mouth guards specifically for people that suffer from sleep apnea. It is a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and is much more comfortable to wear at night. It will provide stability and help your airway to remain open.
If you have a prescription for sleep apnea and you are prescribed a CPAP, you should at least use it four hours every night. Although it can be difficult to become accustomed to wearing a CPAP, it is an important tool in improving sleep apnea. Good health over the long term is what is important, and you need to build up the amount of time you use it until you can use it throughout the night. If you still have trouble adjusting, get at least four hours and try to add more time each night.
Instead of sleeping on your back, sleep on your side, which can help to avoid the symptoms of sleep apnea getting in the way of a peaceful night’s sleep. Sleeping on the back can cause air passages to constrict. Make a conscious effort to fall asleep on your side, and that will probably reduce some of the symptoms caused by your sleep apnea.
Instead of sleeping on your back, sleep on your side, which can help to avoid the symptoms of sleep apnea getting in the way of a peaceful night’s sleep. When sleeping on the back, throat and tongue muscles are more likely to block your airway. See if sleeping on your side doesn’t help your sleep apnea condition.
Try sleeping in a different position (such as on the side) rather than on your back. A lot of people that suffer from sleep apnea lay down in bed at night on their backs. When you lay on your back during sleep, the tongue and soft palate shift to the back, which obstructs your airway. Instead, you should sleep on your side and that can help your breathe much better. If you have trouble staying off of your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your sleeping clothes. This will help you stay on your side while you’re sleeping.
Normally sleep apnea is diagnosed after getting a physical exam, but it also helps to study your family’s medical history to see if it’s prevalent among your relatives. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea.
Avoid sleeping pills if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Pills such as these may cause a relaxation of your throat muscles which causes your airways to not function properly. Find other ways to solve your troubles with staying asleep, because sleep apnea mixed with sleeping pills can be a potentially life-threatening mix.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, avoid sleeping pills. The pills may relax the throat muscles so much that your airways do not function properly. If you suffer from sleep apnea, the pills could cause disastrous consequences. This is not the solution for getting some sleep.
Adding a chin strap to your CPAP routine can help to keep your mouth closed as you sleep. This little piece of fabric holds your chin upright when sleeping so that your mouth remains closed. Try this out to keep your mouth closed.
If you use a CPAP, then ensure a medical ID is carried with you at all times. If you are in need of medical attention, it is important that the people helping you realize you have sleep apnea and use CPAP therapy. Your ID needs to mention your sleep apnea, your CPAP use and your CPAP pressure settings.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. Be it an intended or emergency room stay, you must always have access to your CPAP and the mask when you suffer from sleep apnea. It is already set to your pressure, and you will have the exact mask you are used to using every night. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
Cpap Machine
Devices intended to prevent snoring may be of some use. While apnea involves complete blockage of the airways, snoring is similar in that partial airway obstruction is what causes it. As you can guess, devices that help one will help with the other. Anti-snoring devices can help to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms as you rest.
Remember to bring the CPAP machine with you if you should happen to require a stay at the hospital. Your CPAP machine should be with you whether you’re admitted to the hospital or visiting the emergency room. You will your mask you’re used to, and the pressure will be set right. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
Weight loss can be a big help for those that suffer from sleep apnea. People who are overweight or have a larger than normal neck circumference may be prone to sleep apnea. When you lose weight it takes a lot of the pressure off of your airways and allows you to breathe more easily when you sleep.
Avoid excessive drinking if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Alcohol makes the throat muscles over-relax, resulting in blocked airways and snoring. Limit drink consumption to no more than two or quit drinking completely prior to bed. This will help you know that alcohol is not affecting the quality of your sleep.
Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. A lot of people suffering from apnea have problems with blocked airways because they sleep not on their side, but on their backs. Wedge a pillow in place to keep your body resting on your side while sleeping.
Your sleep apnea might be easily solved with a simple solution. Set up a regular bedtime for yourself and go to sleep each night at around the same time. Also make sure that you have bedroom atmosphere that is ideal for you to sleep in. Insomnia can occur if the conditions are poor.
If you have sleep apnea, you can improve your symptoms by exercising your throat muscles. The cause of sleep apnea is a blockage in the airways which results in a lack of an ability to breathe. Stronger muscles are not as likely to collapse.
Be sure to see your doctor to participate in a sleep test if you suspect you may have sleep apnea. This procedure will let you know if you’re suffering with sleep apnea and what you are dealing with. The next step is to find a treatment for your problem, even if you have a very mild case of sleep apnea.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, and you use a CPAP, check with your doctor about a heated humidifier. When your sleeping in conditions of warm and moist air, you will most likely adhere to the CPAP therapy. A lot of CPAP machines have humidification standard now, so ask your doctor for a model like that.
Due to the busy world we live in now, we require tons of energy to handle the hassles of everyday life. Try not to let sleep apnea affect your daily routine and use what you’ve learned here to help you begin to feel better.
Be proactive in finding treatment. Sleep apnea is one condition that tends to steadily worsen the longer it’s left untreated. Don’t let time slip past you; take action now and you should find a solution to all of your sleep apnea problems.