If your life is being disrupted by sleep apnea, whether it is you or your partner, you should take steps to address it and correct it so that you both can get a better night’s rest. The symptoms of sleep apnea should be taken seriously and should be discussed with your partner. Continue on to learn about some helpful tips on sleep apnea.
Losing some harmful vices to fight off sleep apnea. Drinking and smoking are the biggest offenders. Drinking relaxes your airway to prevent proper breathing. Cigarettes can hurt your lungs, possibly even causing lung cancer. Dropping both these habits entirely will help ease the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Overweight people are more prone to suffering from sleep apnea. If this applies, it is is important to shed some excess weight. Increasing exercise and reducing your total calorie intake can help to accomplish this. Some amount of carbohydrate restriction is beneficial for many who are trying to lose weight as well.
Excess weight also causes sleep apnea, so losing weight is a very good idea. Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms are more common in people who are overweight. Therefore, if you are obese, a loss of just 25 pounds can cause a major improvement in your apnea symptoms.
Speak with a doctor about using corrective mouth pieces to control your symptoms of sleep apnea. You could have an overbite, small jaw, or narrow breathing passage that worsens your sleep apnea symptoms. You can overcome these difficulties and experience much more restful sleep by using a custom-fitted device to keep your jaw and airway properly aligned.
Children can also suffer from sleep apnea. If your child exhibits any of the symptoms associated with sleep deprivation, such as chronic irritability, hostility and a drop in their grades, you might be looking at a case of sleep apnea. Sometimes parents mistakenly think these symptoms have to do with something like ADHD, and it is best that you talk to your child’s doctor to find the true culprit.
Try getting fitted for a custom-made mouth guard. Guards such as these were designed for someone who suffers with sleep apnea. It is a more comfortable alternative to using a CPAP machine. These mouth guards help you by making sure your airways remain open by giving your soft tissues a stabilizing hand.
If you are using a CPAP and experience an issue with your mouth opening during sleep, a chin strap can help. The chin strap holds your chin so that you cannot sleep with your mouth open; it is a tiny piece of fabric. Try this out to keep your mouth closed.
Eating right can keep you healthy and well rested. Normally people are quite surprised to learn that unhealthy eating is a major source of their sleep apnea. Good nutrition can help many medical conditions, including sleep apnea.
You may benefit from wearing a medical bracelet that explains your sleep apnea, the treatment your are undergoing for the condition and the proper pressure level for your CPAP. You need to have a way of letting medical personnel know about your condition if you are unconscious. With your ID you can inform medical personnel about your sleep apnea and your CPAP device.
Sleep Apnea
One of the best ways to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea is by losing weight. A number of patients have found that shedding excess pounds is enough to resolve sleep apnea all by itself. Even a loss of a few pounds has been beneficial in opening the airway.
Don’t underestimate the potential health consequences of sleep apnea. If you experience symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t delay the conversation with your doctor. When you have a diagnosis, your doctor may send you to a specialist or set you up with other tests.
Get rid of as many sleep apnea factors as possible. Genetic and congenital risks cannot be altered, but lifestyle changes can be made. On the other hand, certain risk factors, such as being fat, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol, are entirely under your control.
Try to avoid sleeping pills. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. Pills also can affect sleep apnea sufferers in several different ways. Consult your physician to find out about possible ways to get to sleep to faster that won’t react poorly with your sleep apnea.
If you are a sleep apnea sufferer, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol. When drinking alcohol it causes the muscles in your throat to relax, which results in snoring and blocked airways. Avoiding alcohol altogether is best, but if you must drink then limit yourself to one drink taken several hours before bedtime. Limiting your alcohol consumption will increase your chances of getting a lot of good rest.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, avoid using sleeping pills. These pills can cause your throat muscles to relax and keep your airways from properly functioning. Sleeping pills could cause injury or death if your sleep apnea is particularly severe. It can be difficult to stay asleep when you have sleep apnea, but you need to use other methods, such as a CPAP.
Start playing a woodwind instrument. This will provide you with considerable enjoyment of the relaxing music, as well as exercising the specific muscles involved with sleep apnea problems. Working these muscles can reduce sleep apnea symptoms, by strengthening them and enabling you greater control over them.
This article has given you some great advice to think about and discuss with others. Sleep apnea is something that you shouldn’t ignore. This informaiton can be printed and shared with others that may be suffering.
Don’t be embarrassed about using a CPAP machine or getting treatment. You need not be self-conscious about your need to use a CPAP machine; be upfront about its medical necessity with friends, relatives, and room-mates. Remember that CPAP machine use is in your long-term best interests. If anyone teases you, they should probably exit your life.