A lot of people think that it’s okay to go months where they are tired every day. Nothing could be further than the truth. You might have sleep apnea and this can change your life.
You may have success in treating your sleep apnea with a doctor-prescribed fitted mouth guard. It may be that your airways are narrower than average, and this is fine. Mouth pieces can help align your jaw in the proper way, which will provide you with high-quality sleep.
Get a mouth guard if your airways are the cause of your sleep apnea. These devices are designed to correct your airways and allow you to breathe properly during the night. If this sounds like a solution worth pursuing, discuss the matter with your doctor and schedule a fitting for a guard of your own.
It’s necessary to use a CPAP machine for four hours each night if your doctor has prescribed one for your sleep apnea. It is hard for many patients to become accustomed to using the CPAP. Nonetheless, it will not be effective unless you wear it for a minimum of 4 hours nightly. If you have a tough time with it, be sure you have the right size mask, and that the pressure is working right.
Do you partake in a drink or smoke? Drop these unhealthy habits. They can do bad things to your airways. Smoking can actually swell your airways while alcohol can overly relax them; each causes sleep apnea. Eliminate drinking or smoking before bedtime if you can’t avoid them entirely.
It’s vital that you don’t use any type of sleeping pill when you suffer from sleep apnea. Pills such as these may cause a relaxation of your throat muscles which causes your airways to not function properly. Avoid them at all costs to prevent yourself from hurting your body any more.
Reduce your consumption of alcohol. 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. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. If you must drink alcohol, consume it sparingly and at least a few hours before heading to bed.
When dealing with sleep apnea it is best to keep a regular sleeping schedule. Your sleeping pattern is already thrown off by this sleep disorder. You can retain your health and daytime energy and focus by keeping a regular sleep schedule. Try retiring and waking at consistent times.
A diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by analyzing your medical history as well as your family history, followed by a physical exam. Also, your doctor may want to try a sleep study on you. Depending on the results, you may be referred to a specialist.
When you are using a CPAP, if your mouth always drops open while you sleep, you should wear a strap for your chin. It is only a small fabric strap that keeps your chin in place so you can sleep with a closed mouth. If you have your mouth open CPAP therapy isn’t going to work, so give this device a try to find out if it works.
Sleep Apnea
Use a single, average-sized pillow for your head at night. When you use an over-sized pillow or multiple pillows, it can skew your position. It will make breathing harder than it needs to be. So pick out a single pillow you feel comfortable with to sleep on at night.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, make sure to get sinus and allergy problems treated. Remember that you already face difficulties from your sleep apnea. There’s no reason to compound your troubles by suffering through other problems that make it harder to breathe. Maintaining free nasal passages will ensure greater odds of sleeping getting a great night’s sleep.
Think about using nasal spray if your nasal passages are stopped up. This type of product can ease occasional congestion or dryness. It’s important to follow the instructions for usage, as these sprays should be used temporarily, not permanently Visit your pharmacy to see what your options are for keeping your nasal passages open as you sleep.
Stop putting yourself at risk for sleep apnea. Some risks are inherent, such as family history or being male. However, things like quitting smoking and drinking are within your control, and there’s no excuse for continuing these detrimental behaviors.
How you physically sleep each night can really affect your sleep apnea. Sleeping on one’s side or stomach will go a long way toward making for easier breathing with sleep apnea. Lift up the top half of your body with a foam wedge. If you have an adjustable bed, raise the head by several inches for the best position.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not underestimate the power of losing a few pounds. Sleep apnea is far more frequent in obese individuals with bigger necks. Losing the excess weight can greatly lower the pressure it puts on your airways and helps to get air flowing freely so you can breathe much better at night.
If you become anxious about your sleep apnea, try taking a hot bath every night before bedtime. Soaking in a warm or hot bath relaxes your muscle tension. People who suffer from sleep apnea find it easier to get through the night when they take a hot bath or shower before they head to bed.
You can cut down on the sleep apnea symptoms you experience by making your throat muscles stronger. The reduced airflow characteristic of sleep apnea is due to soft tissue in the throat relaxing. When your muscles get stronger, chances becomes less that they will collapse and cause a blockage in the airways.
Don’t sleep on your back. Falling asleep on your back can create airway restrictions that prevent sound sleep. You could try sleeping on your side or in a semi-reclining position propped up with pillows.
Curb drinking heavily if you have sleep apnea. Drinking causes the throat muscles to relax excessively, which causes snoring and a blocked airway. Avoiding alcohol altogether is best, but if you must drink then limit yourself to one drink taken several hours before bedtime. If you do this, your quality of sleep should improve.
Be proactive in finding the right sleep apnea treatment. Not visiting a doctor will see that your sleep apnea will get worse. Do not let it get worse. Go to a doctor and follow his or her recommendations. Sleep apnea can be controlled with proper attention.
Cpap Machine
Sleep apnea is really a problem with your throat, not your nose, this is why you should try and increase strength in your throat muscles. If you wish to learn how to make your throat muscles stronger, you can do several simple and quick exercises.
Do not let your condition, treatment or even your CPAP machine embarrass you. Inform people you are using it so you don’t feel awkward when you need to bring it out when other people are around. Remember that the CPAP machine is necessary for your health, and those who love you will not think any differently of you because you need it.
Many individuals afflicted with sleep apnea sleep on their back. If you are one of these people, try a different sleeping position to get some relief. There is scientific evidence that sleeping facing sideways can reduce sleep apnea symptoms and improve sleep quality.
Sleeping on your side is preferable to your back if sleep apnea is a concern. Sew something lumpy onto your pajamas to make sure you do not roll onto your back. The discomfort of the ball will keep you from staying on your back as you sleep.
Do not drink any alcoholic type beverages when living with sleep apnea. Alcohol makes your throat relax, and that makes it harder to breathe when you are sleeping. This only means to reduce your drinking that is close to bedtime.
Someone who suffers with snoring or sleep apnea should think about taking up a wood instrument. Not only will it be soothing for you, but in a trial study in Germany, it showed that a wind instrument can relax the symptoms of sleep apnea. This new craft will help you keep control of your airways.
Avoid alcohol, especially before you go to sleep. Sleep apnea is just one of the sleeping disorders made worse by alcohol. It depresses your central nervous system, which can worsen your apnea and can make it harder for you to come to if you stop breathing. This possible combo can prove fatal.
Sleep apnea is often easy to treat, and it’s just a matter of becoming educated it and putting these treatments in place. Give yourself a normal bedtime and follow your self imposed rules. Make your bedroom conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. With poor sleeping conditions you run the risk of having recurring sleeping issues.
Get a custom mouth guard made just for you. There are mouth guards you can use to help you when you sleep. The setting of your jaw can contribute to the symptoms of your sleep apnea and actually make the condition worse.
Remember that you may not always notice sleep apnea in the evening. You need to let your doctor know if you have excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent exhaustion or episodes of falling asleep at the wheel. Those symptoms might be part of what you’re experiencing as sleep apnea.
Chronic sleep apnea can be relieved a bit by taking naps when you can. Being deprived of sleep is bad for your health and your day to day life. If you can, you should take a siesta during the afternoon to get more good quality rest.
You should now be more aware of the dangers of sleep apnea and will be better equipped to watch for its symptoms. Don’t let anyone sway you from speaking to your doctor concerning sleep apnea.
Don’t let other breathing problems get out of control. If you have asthma or allergies, they can adversely affect sleep apnea and make your breathing problems worse. If you suffer from allergies, be sure to keep your symptoms under control by avoiding triggers and taking medication. Treat colds so they don’t affect your sleep apnea.