Have you just learned you have sleep apnea? If so, then don’t be afraid. While sleep apnea is a very serious condition involving many negative health risks, it is one that’s also very easy to treat and manage. Due to this fact, you should do everything you can to make you condition have as little impact on your life as possible.
A CPAP machine may turn out to be vital in combating your sleep apnea, and you should get your doctor’s advice about what model is right for you. Among other considerations, inquire about how big the machine is and how noisy it is when it is operating. Some are as small as a loaf of bread and quiet as a whisper. Your doctor will likely have a preferred brand or type of CPAP to recommend to you.
Drop some vices to combat sleep apnea. Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the primary culprits. When you drink, your respiratory system is depressed and breathing becomes difficult. Smoking damages all parts of your airways. These are both habits which can make sleep apnea worse.
Do you drink and smoke? Drop these unhealthy habits. Your airways are affected by using both of these substances. Alcohol relaxes your airways, and tobacco causes it to swell. If you are having trouble quitting either of these habits, at least try to abstain in the few hours before bedtime.
Mouth Guard
Quit smoking and drinking. Both of these habits are known to make your airway’s muscles relax. This will increase your snoring as well as other symptoms of sleep apnea. Cutting out these habits actually saves you money, unlike other costly alternatives like surgery.
Have a mouth guard made for you. Guards like these are specifically made for assisting sleep apnea patients. Instead of using a CPAP device, you can use a mouth guard. It will provide stability and help your airway to remain open.
Many people don’t realize that sleep apnea is not something to ignore and can be potentially dangerous if left untreated. If you notice some of the warning signs, you need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. An official diagnosis will help you figure out if you really do have sleep apnea or not.
Swear off sleeping pills. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. 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.
Sleep on your side, as it can help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. Back sleeping promotes airway obstruction. Try to fall asleep on one of your sides to see if that improves your sleep apnea this evening.
If you wear a CPAP for your sleep apnea symptoms, but are still bothered by your mouth opening when you try to sleep, get a chin strap. This inconspicuous piece of cloth will keep your chin up when you are asleep and your mouth from gaping open. CPAP therapy will not work if your mouth is open, so try this simple device to see if it fixes the problem.
Try sleeping on your side. Many people who have sleep apnea also sleep looking straight up. Your airway can become obstructed if you sleep on your back. Sleeping on one’s side is a better option. Use pillows to force yourself to sleep sideways if you have a problem with rolling over once you are asleep.
Sleep Apnea
Your physician may suggest that you start recording your sleeping habits in order to zero in on your sleep apnea symptoms. You simply log the amount of hours you’re sleeping each night, and mentioning other symptoms too. Your spouse can inform you of any excessive snoring, jerking, or momentary lapses in your breathing. All these will assist your physician in making a formal diagnosis.
Treat any sinus or allergy problems you might have if you do have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes enough difficulty breathing on its own. You don’t want to have anything else that hinders your breathing while you sleep. You will sleep better and have a more open airway if you treat nasal problems.
If you have sleep apnea and your mouth keeps falling open while you sleep with your CPAP every night, try wearing a chin strap. Invest a little money into a CPAP machine to assist you during sleep. Try out CPAP therapy for your mouth.
Try using a nasal spray for an irritated nose. This will help to clear your airways temporarily. Don’t overuse nasal spray though, it can cause your nose damage and irritate it. Talk to your pharmacist about your options.
Try using a nasal spray for an irritated nose. This product should help clear your airways for a night or two. However, you should not use these sprays for an extended period of time to avoid irritation. Talk to your pharmacist about your options.
Some great tongue exercises can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. For instance, press your tongue into the roof of your mouth for at least three minutes. You will make your muscles stronger, and you will have better results with your other treatments.
Try a device marketed to help with snoring. Snoring happens when the airways are mostly closed but air can come though, and apnea is when the airways are completely closed. One device can help with both. These devices might be just what you need for a better night’s rest.
You should take lessons on a wind instrument. In addition to enjoying the music, you will be strengthening the muscles you need to breathe properly. Training these muscles will strengthen them and may help you to control them while you sleep and thus lessen your sleep apnea symptoms.
You can reduce the risk factors for sleep apnea. Certain risk factors are ones you can do nothing about it, like inheriting genetic traits or having been born a man. But, there are other things you can do to cut out risks such as not smoking or drinking heavily, and also managing your weight.
Go to sleep on your side because sleeping looking straight up can make sleep apnea worse. One way to keep yourself off your back while you sleep is to sew a pocket into the back of your pajamas and tuck something lumpy into it (a tennis ball is ideal). This will make back sleeping very uncomfortable.
You should ask your doctor what you can do about sleep apnea; however, there are areas that you can investigate for yourself. Everyone can benefit from getting thinner or quitting smoking, but this goes double for those suffering from sleep apnea. Keep the last two hours before bed free of heavy meals, caffeinated beverages or alcoholic beverages.
People who suffer from sleep apnea, or even snoring, should consider learning to play an 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 can help you control your problem.
Sleep apnea is not something that should be ignored, because it will not go away without treatment. There are various sleep apnea treatments for various people because no two cases are exactly alike. Losing weight can lessen symptoms for many, but thin people can have sleep apnea, along with overweight people. Non-invasive options like the CPAP machine are highly successful for millions of sufferers. Some prefer surgery to avoid daily contraptions. No matter what route you take, your treatment is definitely key to a happy life.
Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. It can restrict your airway and make it hard to breathe. Do what’s necessary to sleep sideways, even if you have to use pillows or other items to force the issue.
Sleep apnea may be occurring without your knowledge. General daytime sleepiness may be a sign of sleep apnea, so let your doctor know if you are experiencing this. You want to consult with a professional that can let you know if you truly have sleep apnea or not.
Take hold of your sleep apnea and seek out a cure for it. Not visiting a doctor will see that your sleep apnea will get worse. Don’t wait until you are getting absolutely no sleep every night. See your physician if you have even the slightest suspicion that you have sleep apnea.
If you are prone to sleep apnea, you should try not to sleep on your back. When you sleep on your back, you can obstruct your air passages and complicate your sleep patterns. Sleeping on your side is best. If this is unnatural or difficult for you, prop yourself up with extra pillows to help make side sleeping easier.
Some corrective oral devices can aid in the treatment of sleep apnea. Some people have a natural shape and set to their jaws that encourages restricted air passages and makes sleep apnea more likely. These devices can align your jaw in a way that makes breathing easier.
Toning up your throat muscles is in fact an excellent way to deal with your sleep apnea; the condition originates from the throat rather than the nose. There are many quick exercises that you can do to increase the strength of your throat.
Back sleepers make up the majority of sleep apnea sufferers. If you sleep on your back, you might rethink doing that. Studies show that if you sleep on your side, it can help to alleviate the sleep apnea symptoms.
The problem of sleep apnea is made worse when you are chronically tired. Sleep on a good schedule to address this issue. Set a time to go to bed and get up and be sure to stick to them. You can avoid further complications, such as insomnia, this way.
Sleep apnea can damage your health and your life if not treated properly. There is positive news though, as many treatments are available that can help you. Discuss what you learned here with your physician, and use the tips that feel right to you.
The lack of oxygen during sleep is known as sleep apnea. Therefore, it is good for anyone with sleep apnea to stay away from higher altitudes. The higher you are, the less oxygen there is which is bad. Sleeping at high elevations should be avoided whenever possible.