Have you just learned you have sleep apnea? If so, then don’t be afraid. Although dealing with this condition can be extremely troublesome, you can live a normal and healthy life through proper treatment. For the best results in beating sleep apnea, you need to learn more about it. Read on for more information.
If your sleep apnea is the result of having narrow breathing passages, a mouth guard can help you out. These mouth guards correct airways and facilitate breathing. Ask your doctor to help you get fitted for a mouth guard.
If you want to find relief from sleep apnea, pick up a wind instrument. Researchers in Germany have found playing a didgeridoo can make your throat muscles stronger. These muscles are responsible for the strength of your airway passage and its ability to dilate. These are great reasons to take up playing this instrument and easing the symptoms of sleep disorders.
Do you sometimes drink or smoke? Quit these vices. The reason is because these harmful substances impact your airways, and as a result, your sleep. 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 can’t completely eliminate these habits, try avoiding them prior to bed.
4 Hours
Taking up a musical instrument (especially a wind instrument) can have a positive effect on your sleep apnea. Research in Germany has shown that playing an instrument called the didgeridoo can train the muscles in your upper airways and strengthen them. You can stiffen your throat muscles which will help them get more air to flow through them. These are great reasons to take up playing this instrument and easing the symptoms of sleep disorders.
It is important to use your CPAP machine if instructed to by your doctor. You should use it for the full night, but if you cannot, try to get at least 4 hours with the machine. It can be extremely difficult for some patients to get used to sleeping with a CPAP. Nonetheless, it will not be effective unless you wear it for a minimum of 4 hours nightly. If you still have trouble adjusting, get at least four hours and try to add more time each night.
To keep your sleep apnea in check, eat a healthy diet to lose weight. A lot of people are amazed at how a poor diet negatively affects sleep apnea. Someone who is overweight but still eats a healthy diet will have fewer symptoms of apnea than someone who eats an unhealthy diet but weighs less.
Did you know that sleep apnea can afflict children? You can usually notice a child with sleep apnea when they are hyperactive, inattentive, hostile, irritable and see them continuously breathing through their mouth. These symptoms can be similar to those of ADHD, so consult a doctor and consider both conditions.
Refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages as much as possible, especially at bedtime. Consuming alcohol causes your muscles to relax too much. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. If you are sleeping and have been drinking too close to bedtime, this can be a dangerous combination while you are asleep. If you absolutely must drink, then do it in moderation and certainly not right when you’re about to go to sleep.
Sleep apnea sufferers often benefit from laying on their side during sleep. Sleeping on your back can obstruct your airways and cause apnea. Be sure to go to sleep sideways and find out if that helps you to sleep tonight.
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.
Normally sleep apnea is diagnosed after getting a physical exam, but it also helps to study your family’s medical history to see if it’s prevalent among your relatives. Your PCP may ask for a sleep study to be done by a sleep specialist.
Bring your medical ID every you travel with your CPAP device. It may be a vital piece of information if you need emergency medical care and unable to give that information. Your ID should tell people about your sleep apnea, your use of a CPAP, and the proper pressure level for it.
Choose only one, flatter pillow to sleep on each night instead of fluffy pillows. Your sleeping position can be affected negatively by multiple pillows or an over-sized one. Not only is this bad for your neck in general, it also restricts your airway. For this reason, stick with just one pillow to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms.
Alway travel with your CPAP machine if you suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea. You don’t want to sleep a single night without your CPAP after a sleep apnea diagnosis. This machine should have a travel bag with it. Use this to easily transport your CPAP with you whenever you are away from home.
When not treated, you can have serious health effects from sleep apnea. The good news is that there are several treatments available. Use what you have been taught from this article, and speak with your doctor to get a plan in motion.
You must get treatment if you have sleep apnea. It will not resolve itself. Various treatment regimens and choices are effective for certain individuals, but not necessarily all. One good way to lessen sleep apnea episodes is by losing weight, but there are thin people who suffer from sleep apnea as well. The CPAP machine has been a very successful option for millions, and it does not involve any invasive procedures. Some prefer surgery to avoid daily contraptions. 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.