When you doctor informs you that sleep apnea is what may be causing your problems, then that can be somewhat scary to hear. Millions of people around the world have it, though, so it isn’t uncommon. Sleep apnea can be treated easily in a number of ways. This article will give you some hints on how you can better deal with it.
A physician is the best person to ask about which CPAP machine is the right one to use for your specific situation. Among other considerations, inquire about how big the machine is and how noisy it is when it is operating. Some CPAP machines are small and are quiet. The doctor would be able to guide you to the right one to use.
If you have narrow air passages, consider a mouth guard. These devices are designed to correct your airways and allow you to breathe properly during the night. It’s best to see a medical professional to get fitted properly for a guard that will fit your individual situation.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine for you, make sure you use it every night, for at least 4 hours. Sometimes it is hard for people to get used to the CPAP. Four hours of use every night is the minimum necessary time you need to realize the benefits of CPAP therapy. If you are having difficulty adjusting to it at first, try to make sure you at least use your CPAP four hours each time you sleep.
Try cutting out cigarettes and alcohol if you have sleep apnea. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. Cutting out these habits actually saves you money, unlike other costly alternatives like surgery.
Avoid relying on sleeping pills. Sleeping pills carry the risk of throat relaxation, much the same as alcohol does. There can also cause other problems if you are dealing with sleep apnea. Ask your doctor about sleeping aids that won’t have a negative impact on your breathing.
Mouth guards can be custom fit. These are a great aid to sufferers of sleep apnea. The mouth guard is more comfortable to use than a CPAP machine that works by applying constant positive airway pressure. It really helps keep the airways clear and keeps the soft tissues of the throat stable.
Attempt side sleeping. Most people who have sleep apnea realize that they have been sleeping on their back too much. If you sleep on your back, your airway may become blocked when mouth tissues slide back. Breathing is much simpler when you sleep on one of your sides. If you have a hard time sleeping on your back all night, you can try to prop pillows around yourself to prevent you from sleeping on your back.
Sleep Apnea
When dealing with sleep apnea it is best to keep a regular sleeping schedule. Sleeping at weird hours of the day can worsen your sleep apnea. Do whatever you can to restore your natural sleeping patterns, and you will find that you can handle the apnea a bit easier. The key is to have a set time for going to bed, and rising as well.
To fight sleep apnea, try to eat a healthy diet. A lot of people are surprised to learn how their poor diet could be causing sleep apnea. Studies have shown that people that eat poor quality food have worse apnea than those who are overweight but eat healthier.
No matter where you travel, you must bring your CPAP if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. You never should go a single night without your CPAP. Conveniently, your CPAP machine should have a bag included with it for easy travel. This can be used to transport the CPAP machine simply when not at home.
Even children can suffer from sleep apnea. Children who are frequently tired or who have a poor attention span may have sleep issues. Sometimes, sleep apnea is confused with ADHD, and you should consult your doctor for the proper diagnosis.
Sleep apnea can be a serious problem and it needs to be treated. Some treatments will work better for you than others. A good way to help with sleep apnea symptoms is by losing weight; but it can also occur in people who are very thin, too. There are many options available to help treat this condition, one of which is a CPAP machine. Some individuals prefer a surgical procedure which relieves airways restrictions. The key is to find the treatment that fits your individual solution and then sticking with it so that you can gain control of your life again.
Don’t use multiple or oversize pillows. An over-sized pillow, or a pile of multiple pillows, can alter your sleep position with negative impacts on your ability to breathe freely. This can position you in a way that makes it harder to breathe. This means that one pillow is most appropriate to help alleviate your sleeping concerns.
If you have sleep apnea, you can improve your symptoms by exercising your throat muscles. The cause of sleep apnea is a blockage in the airways which results in a lack of an ability to breathe. As the muscles become stronger, they will be less likely to collapse and block the airways.
Losing Weight
Anyone who has sleep apnea, or even just snores, might want to think about picking up an instrument. A study in Germany proved that playing a Didgeridoo can reduce sleep apnea symptoms and induce other soothing effects. Taking up this new endeavor will help you get a handle on controlling your airways.
Try losing weight to deal with your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea commonly occurs in overweight patients that have a larger neck. Losing weight can significantly reduce the pressure on your airway and improve the flow of air as you breathe at night.
If you suffer from sleep apnea this is a good way to get better sleep. Schedule yourself to sleep at the same time every night. Ensure that your room is set up for comfortable resting, also. Insomnia is a real danger if your sleeping arrangements are sub-par.
One way to help with sleep apnea is to quit smoking. Smoking causes the upper air passages to swell up, which causes sleep apnea to be more debilitating. Quitting can be handled through a cessation program or even nicotine replacement programs. The hardest period for the majority of smokers is the initial 30 days upon quitting. The physical cravings should leave your body after four days, and then you should only need to deal with the simple act of finding replacement things to do.
Exercising the smooth muscles of your throat may reduce sleep apnea symptoms. The muscles surrounding your airway get stronger, and that means they are less likely to collapse and make it hard to breathe. An easy exercise is to firmly press your full tongue against the top of your mouth, then hold for approximately three minutes before releasing. Consistently do such exercises for the best results.
If you have sleep apnea, you can improve your symptoms by exercising your throat muscles. Sleep apnea results from breathing obstruction due to your soft tissues in your throat collapsing. As your muscles strengthen, they will be more likely to keep your airways open.
A lot of people with sleep apnea sleep on their back. If this describes your case, it may be time to change your sleeping position. It has been shown that the tongue and palate fall toward the back of the throat when people sleep and this can obstruct the airway.
Learn to play 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. Strengthening and training your throat muscles will help you gain control of them and help them stay in place as you sleep. This will have a positive effect on your sleep apnea.
Go to a doctor to get your potential sleep apnea checked out. There is no room for guessing when it comes to getting a restful night’s sleep. Let your physician know about everything that has transpired, find out what is causing it, and immediately take the necessary action.
If you plan on taking the plane for a long trip, contact the airline company and let them know you will need to use your CPAP machine. Many will make arrangements so that you have a seat with plenty of room to use it. If you fly a foreign carrier, be sure to pack a power adapter.
Sleep apnea is technically defined as a lack of oxygen while sleeping. Therefore, it is good for anyone with sleep apnea to stay away from higher altitudes. Since there is less oxygen higher up, it can really have an impact of those afflicted. If you are able to avoid sleeping in the mountains or on an airplane, you should.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, some studies show that doing throat exercises may reduce the severity of it. If you perform these exercises each day, your throat muscles will grow stronger over time, which means they will collapse less often while you are sleeping. A great example is to press your tongue against the top of your mouth, holding it there for three minutes, and releasing it. You should practice this exercise once daily.
Make sure you’re using your throat and jaw muscles. Many times, sleep apnea is dependent on weak muscles, so take time to exercise them to improve your symptoms. If you master a few simple exercises, your condition can be impacted positively.
If you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor and get a referral for a sleep study. A sleep lab can tell you if your sleep apnea is a correct diagnosis for you or whether something else is going on. They can also recommend what will be helpful to your situation. Even if you’re experiencing relatively mild sleep apnea, having a firm diagnosis of the condition enables you to take steps towards treating it.
Don’t drink before going to sleep. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders are worsened by alcohol. It slows down you central nervous system, making the conditions of sleep apnea worse and also could prevent you from waking up should you stop breathing. This makes for a potentially deadly combination.
There is no need to be frightened by a diagnosis of sleep apnea. It is awesome that it is a condition that can be helped! These useful tips can be used in your daily life to address your sleep apnea symptoms. Proper treatment can preserve your health, even with sleep apnea.
You need to get a mouth guard that is custom made for you! Oral device can help align your airways to prevent snoring and apnea. The set of your jaw may contribute to your problems with sleep apnea.