If you are waking up tired every morning, you may be suffering from any number of sleep disorders. In reality, many could be suffering from sleep apnea without their realizing it. Learn what you need to know about sleep apnea in the following article.
Do you smoke and drink? Quit these vices. Both have a negative influence on your air passages. Alcohol relaxes your airways, and tobacco causes it to swell. If losing these habits is not possible, then at least limit yourself before going to bed.
Drop some of your vices to fight against sleep apnea. If you drink and smoke, it can make your sleep apnea worse. Drinking helps depress your respiratory system, causing breathing issues. Cigarette smoke is full of cancer-causing chemicals which are bad for your lungs. Dropping both these habits entirely will help ease the symptoms of sleep apnea.
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. 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.
Are you using a CPAP for your sleep apnea? If so, then you should try to utilize it a minimum of four hours per night. It can be hard for some people to sleep with the CPAP initially. For this CPAP therapy to work successfully, you will need four hours each day to use it. If you have trouble adjusting to use it the full night, keep it on for four hours at the least.
Sleep on your side. Sleep apnea sufferers tend to sleep on their back. The tissue in your throat and mouth can wind up obstructing your air passage when you sleep on your back. Avoid sleeping on your back and go on your side to make breathing easier. If your sleep tends to see you rolling onto your back, support yourself with pillows on one side or the other.
Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition to have. Talk with your doctor immediately if you see any of the warning symptoms. When you have a diagnosis, your doctor may send you to a specialist or set you up with other tests.
A diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by analyzing your medical history as well as your family history, followed by a physical exam. Sleep studies may be suggested and your doctor might refer you over to a type of sleep specialist that can diagnose and treat your symptoms.
There are several components to a sleep apnea diagnosis including a physical examination, a complete review of your medical history and a review of your family history. After taking all this information, your family doctor may send you to see a sleep specialist. This doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, and he will quite likely order a sleep study.
If you’re dealing with sleep apnea, it’s important to set a regular sleep schedule for yourself. Your sleep apnea is already affecting your sleep. You can retain your health and daytime energy and focus by keeping a regular sleep schedule. Begin by setting a specific time to lie down and rise every day. Then stick to it.
A medical ID is a must for those being assisted by a CPAP machine. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. The identification should say that you suffer from apnea and that you need a CPAP set at a particular pressure level.
You should consult with a medical professional about the more intensive sleep apnea treatments available to you if your symptoms don’t respond to the basic steps you take. If less invasive treatments do not work, it is sometimes necessary to perform surgical procedures such as adenoid and tonsil removal and/or airway enlargement.
If you’re admitted to the hospital, take your sleep apnea machine with you. It doesn’t matter whether your hospital visit is planned or an emergency, your CPAP should be there with you, along with your mask. This is preset to your breathing pressure. In addition, you’ll be using the same mask you’ve been accustomed to using each night. Your whole hospitalization process will go much smoother because of this.
You can try nasal sprays if your sleep apnea is caused by your nasal passages. This product should help clear your airways for a night or two. Don’t overuse nasal spray though, it can cause your nose damage and irritate it. Always speak with your pharmacist to make sure you choose the product that is right for you.
Consider a snoring device. Both snoring and sleep apnea are caused by narrowed airways. A device that can help with snoring may also work to help with apnea. These tools may be able to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Sleeping on your side is preferable to your back if sleep apnea is a concern. Something with an odd shape sewn into your sleeping attire can prevent you from returning to the back position whilst sleeping. This forces you to lay on your side since it makes it tough to lay on your back.
Sleep Apnea
If you ever have the occasion to fly for travel and you have sleep apnea, be sure to inform the airline that you will be bringing along your CPAP machine. Many will make arrangements so that you have a seat with plenty of room to use it. Make sure you bring a power adapter if you fly on a foreign airline.
Try losing weight to deal with your sleep apnea. People who are overweight usually suffer from sleep apnea more. Losing some weight can help improve the amount of air you can take in.
Try learning how to play a musical instrument. A study shows this can greatly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Just as working out helps to make other muscles in the body stronger, playing an instrument will help make the muscles in your mouth and throat stronger.
Never sleep on your back if you experience the symptoms of sleep apnea. Most apnea patients are “back sleepers”, making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. If you are the type of person who rolls over while sleeping, use pillows in order to maintain a side sleeping position.
Do not ignore your sleep apnea symptoms. Seek treatment. If you don’t get help for this condition, the symptoms most likely will end up getting much worse over time. Suffering from sleep apnea will take a toll on your health and ability to deal with difficult situations.
If you have a CPAP machine, ask your physician to prescribe you a heated humidifier as well. The humid, warm air enables CPAP users to have a much easier time getting restful sleep. There are various CPAP machines that have humidifiers built in, so ask your doctor about prescribing one for your apnea.
Do not sleep on the back if you suffer from sleep apnea. Your airway is more prone to collapsing if you sleep on your back. To counter the effects of gravity on your throat muscles, it’s best to sleep in a sideways position.
Cpap Machine
Sleep apnea is a type of throat problem, so strengthening your throat muscles can help alleviate many apnea symptoms. There are many exercises you can do that involve the throat, tongue and neck.
Don’t be embarrassed about using a CPAP machine or getting treatment. People will feel better about knowing why you are using it, and they will be supportive. If you have to use a CPAP machine your family and friends should not make fun of it.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, don’t drink prior to going to sleep. Your throat muscles will relax more than they should from alcohol, and this makes it difficult for sufficient air flow to occur, instigating sleep apnea. Drinking late in the evening is not advisable, but you can still have a drink earlier in the day.
A major factor of sleep apnea is how you sleep. This is why it’s essential to sleep in a good position. If you must sleep on your back, elevate your head and the top half of your body slightly. An alternative method is to angle your bed so that the head is approximately four inches above the foot.
Make sure that your throat and jaw muscles both get exercise. Dealing with your weaker internal muscles can help you alleviate sleep apnea. You can make a significant difference with your sleep by doing this.
Contact the airline you will be flying on if you are flying overseas and will need to sleep on the airplane. Almost all airlines will accommodate your need for extra space in order for you to use your equipment. If you are using a foreign airline, pack a power adapter that will fit their outlets.
Take up a wind instrument. Instruments such as the clarinet or flute will help you with your apnea. When you play wind instruments, you will see that your breathing will be better because your have strengthened your airway muscles. After practicing for a bit, your muscles will be stronger and you will breathe better.
If you or a loved one has had trouble getting sufficient sleep, it might be time to mention your symptoms to a doctor. There is little point in needless suffering because you did not bother getting formally checked out. Pass on the advice you have found here, and consult your doctor if you the one who suffers is you.
Avoid alcohol, especially before you go to sleep. Sleep apnea is just one of the sleeping disorders made worse by alcohol. In addition to weakening the nervous system, it can also make the sleep apnea worse. This can make it harder to wake up if you happen to stop breathing. This can be a fatal combination.