You might be trying to weigh out your options when you finally figure out you have sleep apnea. Do you know what solution would work best in the situation? Just reading this article may give you the information you need to find the right treatment.
Drop some vices to combat sleep apnea. The worst thing you can do to contribute to sleep apnea by drinking and smoking. Drinking suppresses your breathing and causes a lot of harm to your respiratory system. Cigarettes inject carcinogens into your respiratory system. Getting rid of these bad habits can help to lessen the frustration that sleep apnea brings.
Sleep Apnea
Do you occasionally drink or smoke? Eliminate bad habits. Your airways are significantly affected by smoking and drinking. Your throat can swell thanks to smoking, and alcohol relaxes your palate and allows it to drop to the back of your throat, which restricts your airway while you sleep. If it is not possible for you to quit cold turkey, then try not to smoke or drink immediately before bedtime.
A major reason why a lot of people deal with the sleep apnea condition is because of the excess weight they’re carrying. If someone with sleep apnea is overweight, they would benefit from losing it. Improving the overall health of the diet in combination with an increased level of exercise makes a simple, effective weight loss strategy. Some studies have also shown that limiting your carbohydrate intake can help.
If you are overweight, lose some weight. Sleep apnea and obesity are often tied together. Losing twenty five pounds is enough for even the most obese of sleep apnea sufferers to experience some relief of their symptoms, and you may well experience positive results with more modest losses.
Try something besides sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar in a way to alcohol because they may relax the muscles in your throat. There are also a myriad of other problems that can arise with the use of sleeping pills. Ask your physician about sleeping aids that are free of harmful effects or risks to your night-time breathing.
Playing with some wind instruments can help get rid of your sleep apnea. Researchers from Germany found that practicing with the didgeridoo on a regular basis strengthens throat muscles. These muscles control your airway. Therefore, you should regularly play these instruments due to the fact that they decrease your sleep apnea symptoms.
To help alleviate this condition, you should sleep on your side. It’s not uncommon for many with sleep apnea to sleep while laying on their back. When you lay on your back during sleep, the tongue and soft palate shift to the back, which obstructs your airway. It’s easier to breathe when looking to the side. If your sleep tends to see you rolling onto your back, support yourself with pillows on one side or the other.
It’s necessary to use a CPAP machine for four hours each night if your doctor has prescribed one for your sleep apnea. Some people have a really hard time sleeping with the device. Keep in mind your CPAP device should be used at least four hours per night for it to help you. If you still have trouble adjusting, get at least four hours and try to add more time each night.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed after a thorough medical examination. Your PCP may ask for a sleep study to be done by a sleep specialist.
Going to sleep on your side may be beneficial. Sleep apnea sufferers tend to sleep on their back. Sleeping one one’s back can cause constriction of the throat muscles. Avoid sleeping on your back and go on your side to make breathing easier. If you usually sleep on your back, make a conscious effort to change your ways.
Cpap Machine
To help diagnose your sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to keep a sleep log. 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. The person you sleep next to can alert you to your snoring, if you stop breathing or you move your limbs suddenly. This can help your doctor figure out if you’ve got sleep apnea or if you don’t.
You should take your CPAP machine everywhere you will be spending the night. Do not leave it at home. You never should go a single night without your CPAP. This machine should have a travel bag with it. You can transport your CPAP machine with you away from home.
Stop smoking cigarettes if you have sleep apnea. It can cause your upper airways to start swelling, which can make your sleep apnea worse. Try different things to help you quit smoking. It is the initial 30 days after you quit that are usually the hardest. Then you get less cravings as more and more nicotine leaves the body.
A good nasal spray can be helpful if you are having trouble breathing. This should clear your airways, at least temporarily. Don’t overuse nasal spray though, it can cause your nose damage and irritate it. Visit a pharmacy to find a variety of ways of keeping your nose clear as you sleep.
Playing a wind instrument can be helpful for sleep apnea. It exercises your throat muscles and strengthens your lungs while stimulating your mind and providing relaxation. Working these muscles make them stronger, and help you control them, especially when you sleep; this will reduce your sleep apnea.
Information is a powerful tool. When you know what the options are for sleep apnea, you can find the best solution easier. There is an abundance of things to learn about sleep apnea and this article is a good starting point.
You should not be embarrassed of your diagnosis or your CPAP machine. Let people know that you need it, and do not feel self-conscious about using it in front of your friends or partner. 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.