Have you just learned you have sleep apnea? If so, then don’t be afraid. The disorder is serious, but it is also very manageable and treatable. In order to deal with the condition effectively, you’ll want to educate yourself thoroughly on the topic; this article can help you there.
Sleep apnea is no joke. If you think you may have it, talk to a doctor immediately. With an official diagnosis, you will have to see a sleep specialist and possibly a home based sleep test with a portable monitor to fully assess the condition.
Sleep Apnea
Try sleeping on your side to prevent sleep apnea from robbing you of a good night’s sleep. Sleeping on your back does not allow enough air to get into your airways. Try sleeping on your side at night and determine if that helps you breathe a bit easier.
Excess weight also causes sleep apnea, so losing weight is a very good idea. It is widely known that being overweight is the cause of sleep apnea for some people. Therefore, if you are obese, a loss of just 25 pounds can cause a major improvement in your apnea symptoms.
Find another way to get to sleep other than sleeping pills. Just like alcohol, taking sleeping pills will make your throat muscles relax. There are a variety of other problems that they can cause as well, so be cautious of using them. See if your doctor knows of any sleeping medication that doesn’t cause respiratory depression.
Try using a mouth guard that’s custom-fitted for you. These are made especially for those suffering from sleep apnea. Instead of using a CPAP device, you can use a mouth guard. The guard assists in opening up your airways and stabilizing the soft tissues.
Sleeping pills are bad to take for people with sleep apnea. You will relax your throat muscles this way and you will not get as much from your sleep. The medication can be very dangerous, even fatal, if you suffer from sleep apnea.
To keep your sleep apnea in check, eat a healthy diet to lose weight. Some people are surprised to learn how much a bad diet effects sleep apnea. It has been shown through many studies that people who eat a poor diet usually suffer with worse sleep apnea than someone who is just overweight but manages to still eat somewhat healthier.
Maintain a regular sleeping schedule if you suffer from sleep apnea. Having this condition already is a problem for your nightly sleep cycle. Getting treatment from a doctor is just one part of the solution. Making sure that you don’t disrupt your sleep on your own with a lax sleeping schedule is another part of the solution. For most people, the most important thing is to get up and sleep at the exact same time each day.
Look for alternatives to sleeping pills. Sleeping pills carry the risk of throat relaxation, much the same as alcohol does. They also lead to other issues that can cause many problems, especially for someone suffering with sleep apnea. Consult with your practitioner to see what you can do to get to sleep without putting your breathing patterns at risk.
If nothing you are trying is improving your sleep apnea symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about some of the more drastic treatment options that are available. For people who did not benefit from traditional treatment alternatives, they can resort to surgery to take out the tonsils or to make the airway wider.
Sleep apnea generally is diagnosed by studying your medical and family history and having a thorough physical exam. There are hundreds of studies that show sleep apnea has effected many families together, and this might be something that you cannot escape.
Try not to feel embarrassed by your CPAP machine. Inform people about the necessity of your actions and avoid being overcome by self-conscious feelings when you use it in front of friends or your significant other. 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.
Untreated sleep apnea is hazardous to your health and quality of life. There are many ways to treat it, fortunately. Discuss what you learned here with your physician, and use the tips that feel right to you.
Your sleep habits directly affect you and your sleep apnea. That’s why you need to sleep in an optimal position. Use a foam wedge or body pillow to lift your upper body. Try to also prevent yourself from falling off the bed in the middle of the night.