Were you extremely tired still after having slept a long time? Do others complain about your snoring? Have you ever found yourself waking up because of the noise of your own snoring? It is possible that you are a sleep apnea sufferer, but fret not. This information can certainly help you out.
Your doctor or a sleep specialist can help you find the CPAP machine that is best suited for your needs and comfort. Size and noise are both things to factor into your decision. Some are as small as a loaf of bread and quiet as a whisper. A doctor will be able to give advice on machines that they know their patients have had very good luck with.
Do you have a smoking or drinking habit? Get rid of these bad habits. These types of substances restrict your airways. Alcohol use will lead to over-relaxation of your airways, making sleep apnea symptoms worse, while smoking can have a similar effect by constricting them. If you are having trouble quitting either of these habits, at least try to abstain in the few hours before bedtime.
Your doctor may recommend a mouth guard to help ease the breathing problems associated with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be caused by a genetically small jaw, recessed chin or a breathing passage that is too small. Custom devices that control the position of an irregular attribute that you possess can give you a great deal of relief.
Lose some weight if you’re heavy. Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms are more common in people who are overweight. If you slim down, you may see a marked difference in how your sleep apnea affects you.
Use a fitted sleep apnea mouth guard. Some guards are made to treat sleep apnea. While they won’t work for everyone, they do work for many people who find them to be easy to use and successful in treating their sleep apnea. It will provide stability and help your airway to remain open.
If you want to find relief from sleep apnea, pick up a wind instrument. Research conducted in Germany has shown that you can greatly strengthen the muscles of your upper airway by taking up an instrument like the didgeridoo. These muscles are the key to dilation of the air passage and proper breathing as we sleep. So try and play the didgeridoo regularly to help you get through the night with sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a doctor after he looks at your family history, medical history, and you have a comprehensive physical exam. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is not a condition to take likely. It’s important to seek medical advice as soon as you suspect you may be suffering from it. 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.
Get to bed at a regular time every night if you suffer from sleep apnea. Your sleeping pattern is already thrown off by this sleep disorder. 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. Begin by setting a specific time to lie down and rise every day. Then stick to it.
Sleep Apnea
If when using a CPAP machine your mouth still falls open, use a chin strap. The chin strap will help hold you chin up during the time you are sleep which keeps your mouth closed. CPAP can’t work with an open mouth, so try using this device to fix the issue.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and are traveling, remember to bring the CPAP machine along. Using a CPAP is essential every night for those of you living with sleep apnea. Most CPAP machines have convenient and durable carrying cases. Use this to easily transport your CPAP with you whenever you are away from home.
If your current treatment options are not cutting it, speak to a doctor about additional techniques that may be suitable. Some people do not respond to conventional sleep apnea treatment options and consequently, as a last resort, they have to undergo a surgical treatment option, such as removing of the tonsils or adenoids, or enlarging of the airway.
Take your CPAP anywhere you go, even if you make a trip to the hospital. You need to take your CPAP machine with you whenever you go to the ER or any routine hospitalization, such as for surgery. It will already be at your personal settings and pressure, and be the mask you know you can sleep in. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
One of the best ways to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea is by losing weight. Many people find that they can completely correct sleep apnea by losing excess weight. Just losing a little bit of weight can go a long way in improving the symptoms of sleep apnea and opening up breathing passage ways.
Nasal sprays can help you sleep when your nose is being a nuisance to you. You will get relief from this for a little while. Don’t use the product over a long period of time, though; that could cause damage to your nose. Take a trip to the drugstore and find a nasal cleaner that suits you.
Stick to using just one normal sized pillow as you sleep. The use of multiple cushions, or very large pillows, can throw off your sleeping posture and inhibit your breathing. This may result in breathing difficulties, because you end up in odd positions. So, you should stick to one pillow to help lessen any sleep apnea symptoms.
You’ve taken a big step forward in treating your sleep apnea simply by using this article to educate yourself. This step is really critical, yet a good number of sufferers have not even gone this far. Your knowledge level should have improved, and your comfort level as well, which will help you sleep well again.
Use a device that is aimed at helping you with snoring. Snoring is caused by your airways being blocked with minor airflow, and apnea involves them being shut completely with no airflow. So you can see that it is logical that this device can help with both issues. An anti-snoring device can reduce your apnea while you sleep.