Have you been tired for the last ten or more years because of your snoring? If you have not seen a doctor about this issue, you might be experiencing a dangerous and serious form of snoring associated with sleep apnea. If you have this condition, there’s no need to fear. The article you’re reading can help you.
Get a mouth guard if your airways are the cause of your sleep apnea. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. Speak with your doctor concerning mouth guards, and have yourself fitted for one, provided your doctor agrees.
Drop some of your vices to fight against sleep apnea. Smoking and drinking can inflame your airways and make them swell. When you drink, your respiratory system is depressed and breathing becomes difficult. When you smoke, you fill your lungs with carcinogens and cause severe damage. Quitting both of these habits completely will really alleviate your symptoms.
Do you have a smoking or drinking habit? If the answer is yes and you have sleep apnea, you need to stop both habits. Smoking and drinking have negative effects on your airways. Smoking can cause your airways to swell up while alcohol will make your airway more relaxed, which can cause sleep apnea. If you are unable to completely eliminate these habits, try to at least refrain from them in the hours directly before bed.
Sleep Apnea
Try something else besides sleeping pills. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. Consult your physician to find out about possible ways to get to sleep to faster that won’t react poorly with your sleep apnea.
Being overweight can be a cause of sleep apnea. Anyone who is overweight and suffers from sleep apnea needs to lose weight for the sake of their health. The best way to lose weight is to become physically active with exercise at least four times per week and eat less food calories than are burned off each day by activity. Some studies have also shown that limiting your carbohydrate intake can help.
Test out sleeping on the side. Many people with sleep apnea are used to sleeping on their backs. When you sleep on your back, you are warping the shape of your airways. Side-sleeping can improve your breathing. If you roll on your back when you sleep, try using pillows to stay on your side.
Using a wind instrument can be a huge help in treating your sleep apnea. In Germany, research has been done that suggests playing the didgeridoo will train the muscles of the upper airway. This muscle group controls how your airway dilates and how your airway walls stiffen. Therefore, getting involved with an instrument like this can help you sleep better.
A doctor looks at both your medical history and family history when diagnosing sleep apnea. 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.
To fight sleep apnea, try to eat a healthy diet. Not everyone equates bad and good food with sleep apnea, but many people have found out that it does play a role. It has been shown in studies that those who eat unhealthier foods face more severe sleep apnea than their overweight, yet healthy-eating, counterparts.
If you sleep alone, you may have sleep apnea and not know it. You might consider video recording yourself asleep. Your video needs to have audio as well because the doctors will want to hear any noises you make.
Try sleeping on your side to prevent sleep apnea from robbing you of a good night’s sleep. By sleeping on your back, you’ll notice that your throat and nasal passages may become obstructed. Be sure to go to sleep sideways and find out if that helps you to sleep tonight.
To help diagnose your sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to keep a sleep log. Write out how many times you wake up in the middle of the night, or how ofter you get tired throughout the day. Your partner can best inform you if your sleep involves jerking limbs, stops in breathing and loud snoring. Your doctor can use this information to determine if you actually suffer from sleep apnea.
Sleeping Pills
You can wear a chin strap with your CPAP if you have problems with your mouth falling open as you sleep. This minor fabric piece and make sure that your chin stays up and your mouth closed. Try this out to keep your mouth closed.
Seek out something else rather than taking sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar in a way to alcohol because they may relax the muscles in your throat. They may also cause complications for sleep apnea patients. If you have chronic insomnia, consult with your doctor about safe alternatives to sleeping pills.
You should take your CPAP machine everywhere you will be spending the night. Do not leave it at home. You should never sleep without using your CPAP machine. Most machines come with a bag that they can be transported safely in. You can use it to carry your CPAP easily and safely anytime you leave home.
There are many things that can cause sleep apnea. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea or you know someone who does, use the information shared in this article to help you deal with it. You will be on your way soon to a good night’s sleep.
Losing weight is a simple and proven effective method of decreasing your chances of suffering from sleep apnea. Weight loss alone can be an effective treatment for those with mild sleep apnea. Even a nominal amount of weight loss will go a long way in improving your breathing at night.