Of course, it isn’t enough to simply read up on sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, do something about it. The first step is finding out how to properly cope with the condition. The following article will give you some practical tips you can use to treat your sleep apnea.
Speak with a doctor about using corrective mouth pieces to control your symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be magnified in effects by small jaws and recessed chins, as well as breathing passageways that are naturally narrow. With a specialty device, you can change your sleeping position and align your jaw so that you are able to sleep.
Excessive weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea for many people. If someone with sleep apnea is overweight, they would benefit from losing it. Diet and exercise can do wonders to treat this condition. Restricting carbohydrates has shown to be a big help in losing weight.
Eating well can help you become thinner, which can often reduce sleep apnea symptoms. You’d be surprised at how much a healthy diet can help you with sleep apnea. People that eat unhealthy are more likely to have worse sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is very serious. Talk with your doctor immediately if you see any of the warning symptoms. If the doctor determines you are suffering with sleep apnea, you should consult with someone who specializes in this disorder in order to effectively treat the condition.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, quitting could improve your symptoms. These habits can cause airways to relax too much, which can worsen sleep apnea and snoring. Some people resort to invasive surgeries to correct their sleep apnea without realizing that discontinuing these bad habits could have been a more simple and much cheaper route!
Sleep on your side, as it can help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. The chances of your airways being restricted are more likely when you sleep on your back. Try to fall asleep in a side position, and discover if that relieves your sleep apnea tonight.
If you have a prescription for sleep apnea and you are prescribed a CPAP, you should at least use it four hours every night. Some people have a really hard time sleeping with the device. Use your CPAP as often as prescribed by your doctor, and make sure it fits properly. If you find it hard to get used to your CPAP, use it for only 4 hours at a go.
If you are not sleeping with a partner, then it’s almost impossible to determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea on your own. One way to see for yourself is to train a camcorder on yourself as you sleep. The video should also have audio to listen for any noises.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not take pills. You may find these pills are causing your muscles in your throat to relax and this obstructs your airways. This can be deadly when combined with sleep apnea. Sleeping pills are a bad idea.
Use a chin strap if your mouth falls open as you sleep. This little piece of fabric can work wonders to hold your chin that your breathing is not interrupted. 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.
Establish a sleep routine if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Your regular sleeping patterns already suffer due to your condition. Whatever you can try to help minimize the effects of this condition and help to normalize your sleep patterns can only help you get better. The most important adjustment to make is to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
If you’re a sleep apnea sufferer undergoing CPAP treatment, don’t forget to take your machine along if you’re going to the hospital. If your stay is planned or an emergency, you will need your CPAP device either way. It will be a lot easier and more comfortable if you bring yours instead of using one at the hospital. This will facilitate your CPAP therapy during your hospital stay.
Use a chin strap with your CPAP each night to prevent your mouth from opening as you sleep. It’s simply fabric that keeps your chin up and mouth closed. Your mouth must remain closed in order to get the best results from your CPAP therapy.
If you have sinus problems or allergies, find yourself some treatment options. This condition makes sleeping troublesome. You want to reduce any chance that you have of disturbing your sleep. By treating your allergies or sinus problems, you will be more likely to get a full night’s rest and have energy for the day.
If you are using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea, be sure to take it when you’re going to the hospital. It doesn’t matter whether your hospital visit is planned or an emergency, your CPAP should be there with you, along with your mask. The settings will be prepared and you won’t have to adjust the pressure. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
Losing weight can help sleep apnea sufferers. Being overweight and large around the neck are often indications of sleep apnea. Weight loss makes a big difference in the amount of pressure put on your airways and can improve your breathing.
Losing weight can definitely help reduce sleep apnea’s effects. People who are overweight or have a larger than normal neck circumference may be prone to sleep apnea. Weight loss makes a big difference in the amount of pressure put on your airways and can improve your breathing.
Tongue exercising may help resolve certain sleep apnea symptoms. One exercise you can try involves putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth, then keeping it there for at least 180 seconds. This will make your throat stronger and prevent the muscles from relaxing too much during sleep and causing apnea.
You should ask your doctor what you can do about sleep apnea; however, there are areas that you can investigate for yourself. Avoiding smoking and losing weight are good for anyone, but especially those with sleep apnea. Also, don’t drink alcohol or consume caffeine too close to bedtime.
Curb drinking heavily if you have sleep apnea. Alcohol will relax your throat and will block your passages. You should either cease drinking alcohol or reduce your consumption to no more than a couple of drinks before dinner. This can keep alcohol from messing up your sleep.
Anyone with sleep apnea needs treatment, as it won’t disappear by itself. Depending on what causes your sleep apnea, you may respond to different treatments. Losing weight will help minimize symptoms in many patients, but sleep apnea can occur in very thin individuals as well as those who are overweight. Millions of sleep apnea sufferers find relief from non-surgical options like CPAP machines. Some people do prefer surgery over any other types of sleep apnea alleviation methods. No matter what route you take, your treatment is definitely key to a happy life.
Playing a wind instrument is helpful. You will get several benefits: learning how to exercise the muscles used in breathing, broadening your intellect, and playing music that you enjoy. Working these muscles can reduce sleep apnea symptoms, by strengthening them and enabling you greater control over them.
Strengthening your throat muscles can be very effective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms as well. Sleep apnea results from breathing obstruction due to your soft tissues in your throat collapsing. As your strengthen your muscles, you will have more control over them.
It is fine to get a CPAP machine, it’s natural for sleep apnea sufferers. Inform those that need to know about it, and don’t feel uncomfortable using your CPAP around those close to you. They want you healthy. Your health is the most important thing you should be focusing on, not wasting time on what others think of your machine. It’s quite possible they may find themselves with sleep apnea at some point in their own lives.
Cpap Machine
If you sleep on your back you will worsen your sleep apnea. Sewing a pair of balled up socks or a tennis ball onto the back of your PJs will help prevent rolling over. This can make sleeping on your back uncomfortable.
Don’t try to hide the fact that you use a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea. Tell people that this is a necessity, and don’t be self-conscious about having to use it in the presence of others. Always know that the CPAP machine is something that you need which can help you, and if someone looks down upon you for using it, then they weren’t your friends anyway.
Once you’ve received a sleep apnea diagnosis, it’s important to maintain contact with your physician. Your physician should provide you with ongoing support and treatment. Anytime you want to try a newer treatment method, consult your physician beforehand to be sure it is safe and appropriate. Also meet up with them afterward to review effectiveness.
Apply the tips above to treat your sleep apnea. Identify the best ones for your situation, and you can start getting a good night’s rest again soon. Better sleep will give you back your happy life.
There is a surgery that can help to alleviate the snoring associated with sleep apnea. The UPPP procedure will reduce or eliminate the symptoms by increasing the space in the air passages. This particular procedure usually removes your tonsils as well.