It’s not a revelation to anyone that sleep apnea is a difficult condition to cope with. A good way to deal with problems associated with sleep apnea is to acquire plenty of knowledge about the topic. Use the great advice that this article provides to help manage the impact of sleep apnea on your life.
Consult with your physician about corrective devices to address your sleep apnea. Your symptoms could very well be exacerbated by congenital conditions like a small jaw, an over- or under-bite, or a naturally constricted airway. 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.
Try getting rid of bad habits to better your sleep apnea. Drinking and smoking are a couple of the biggest concerns. Consuming alcohol can lead to trouble with your respiratory system. Smoking damages your lungs over time. Dropping these habits can help ease your symptoms.
It is not uncommon for children to be sleep apnea sufferers. If you child exhibits certain symptoms, he or she might have sleep apnea. Since these symptoms mimic ADHD, it’s important to have your child seen by a physician.
If your doctor prescribes a mouth guard, make sure it is properly fitted. They make these mouth guards specifically for people that suffer from sleep apnea. It’s a good way to get around having to use a CPAP machine, and feels better to wear throughout the night. The soft tissues are given the support that they need to keep the airways open.
Sleep apnea is very serious. If you see any signs, go get yourself an opinion right away. A doctor can refer you to a sleep lab if the doctor believes you have sleep apnea, and you can then get on the road to recovery if you have it.
You must use your CPAP at least 4 hours nightly after receiving your unit. Going to bed with a CPAP machine humming away is certainly an adjustment that can be a challenge for some. If this is the case with you, try a different mask. That is often the source of the discomfort. 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.
A medical ID is a must for those being assisted by a CPAP machine. If you need attention from paramedics or have to go to a hospital, your caregivers need to know that you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and require a CPAP. The identification should say that you suffer from apnea and that you need a CPAP set at a particular pressure level.
Sleep apnea has the potential for being a very serious disorder. If you suspect that you or a loved one has it, it’s important to make an appointment with a physician to talk to them about it soon. After the diagnosis, you may be asked to take a sleep test, either at home or at a facility that specializes in sleep disorder testing.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, get your allergy and sinus problems treated. Your condition already causes you to have trouble breathing while you sleep. You don’t need anything else to interfere with your sleep. You’ll experience a better night of sleep and reduce the odds of running into serious breathing difficulties if you take care of nasal and sinus issues without delay.
Doctor Diagnose
Get rid of as many sleep apnea factors as possible. Some risks are inherent, such as family history or being male. However, many other risk factors can be cut out, like being overweight, a smoker or a heavy drinker.
Keeping a sleep log can help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea. This log is where you’ll keep track of how much you sleep during the night, and other symptoms you may experience. Your partner can often say if you jerk limbs around, stop breathing for a second, or snore loudly. This type of data can help your doctor diagnose the issue.
If you shed some weight it will likely help with apnea. People who are overweight usually suffer from sleep apnea more. Shedding some unnecessary weight can really cut down on the pressure airways receive, which means you get easier air flow and breathing during your sleeping hours.
If you have sleep apnea and your mouth keeps falling open while you sleep with your CPAP every night, try wearing a chin strap. A chin strap is a strap on fabric that can hold your mouth closed. CPAP devices don’t work well when your mouth is wide open, so this device can help.
You can cut down on the sleep apnea symptoms you experience by making your throat muscles stronger. The labored breathing common in sleep apnea is usually caused when the soft tissues of the throat collapse and obstruct the airway. If your muscles are stronger, their chances of collapsing and blocking your airways are minimized.
Use nasal spray if you have a nose issue. It may offer a couple nights of relief. Nasal sprays with medications should not be used for many days in a row, however, because they can damage the nose. Head to your pharmacy to see what your options are to deal with your nose bothering you in your sleep.
Avoid excessive drinking if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Drinking causes the throat muscles to relax excessively, which causes snoring and a blocked airway. Limit drink consumption to no more than two or quit drinking completely prior to bed. You don’t need alcohol to compound your issues with sleep apnea, and following this advice will help alleviate that.
Sleep Apnea
Whatever you do, don’t sleep on your back. You can use something like pillows or blankets so that you will not want to sleep on your back. Doing this makes back sleeping uncomfortable.
Anyone with sleep apnea needs treatment, as it won’t disappear by itself. A variety of underlying medical conditions can contribute to sleep apnea. Getting to a lower weight can cut back on symptoms in a lot of sufferers, but even slender folks can be afflicted. One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea are CPAP machines, which force air into the lungs while you sleep. Some individuals prefer a surgical procedure which relieves airways restrictions. Which ever way you go, the key is to get it treated so you can live a peaceful life.
It’s a good idea to contact your airline if you’re planning a long plane trip and will need to make use of a CPAP machine during your flight. Many will make arrangements so that you have a seat with plenty of room to use it. If you are using a foreign airline, pack a power adapter that will fit their outlets.
If you have sleep apnea, stop smoking. Your air passages swell when you smoke, which is no good for sleep apnea sufferers. You can use nicotine patches or replacement therapy to quit. The first month is often the hardest for most smokers. After that, it gets easier, because the nicotine addiction is gone.
Some research studies have pointed to throat excercises reducing the severity of sleep apnea. Throat exercises build up the muscles around the airway, and can make them less likely to collapse. One such exercise is to use your tongue and press on the top of your mouth. Maintain this pressure for around three minutes before releasing. Make sure you do this once during your day.
If you make use of a CPA machine while sleeping, then you should ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe you a humidifier. Sticking with a course of CPAP therapy is a lot easier (and your overall sleep quality will be better) if you’re getting a supply of air that’s properly heated and moisturized. Humidifiers are built into a lot of CPAP machines. Ask your doctor about prescribing you one.
Some situations of sleep apnea are solved with corrective mouth pieces. The reason for this is that jaws vary in shape and size, and some configurations may cause narrowing of the airways. Corrective devices change the way the the jaw is aligned as you sleep, meaning more air is able to come in.
How you sleep can determine the number of episodes you’ll have with your sleep apnea. Therefore, you need to be careful about the way you sleep. Lift up the top half of your body with a foam wedge. If possible, try raising the bed by about four inches at the top.
Stop speculating on whether or not you have sleep apnea, get yourself checked out. There are many complications that come from sleep apnea, and sound sleep is too essential to your health and life to be making blind guesses. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms, and he will be able to determine the cause of your problems and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Cpap Machine
Sleep apnea causes a reduction of oxygen to your system while you are sleeping. This means you should not sleep at high elevations. This is because oxygen levels drop the higher the elevation is, which can impact your sleeping. Avoid sleeping at higher elevations as much as possible.
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 airlines will help you find a seat in a location where you have the space to use your CPAP machine. Be sure to bring along a power adapter when using a foreign airline.
If sleep apnea makes it hard to get enough rest, try taking a nap during the day. If you do not get enough sleep you will not be healthy or as focused during the day. Because of this, take as many naps as possible so that your amount of good sleep is increased.
Snoring and sleep apnea can be soothed by playing a musical instrument. A study shows this can greatly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Any instrument that strengthens your airway muscles can improve your breathing at night.
Always follow your treatment outline. You may be under the impression that skipping a night here and there will be fine, but unfortunately this will result in you feeling tired the next day. If you follow your treatment plan you will get better rest.
Your sleep apnea might be easily solved with a simple solution. Set up a regular bedtime for yourself and go to sleep each night at around the same time. Keeping your bedroom environment as conducive to healthy, undisturbed sleep as possible is very important. If your room is not, insomnia might set in.
Stay away from pain medicines with narcotic or opioid properties. These particular pain medications are known to instigate lower oxygen levels in people with normal sleep. Too little oxygen can lead to cell death and a potentially fatal situation.
Most people will tell you that sleep apnea can be a huge burden in your daily life. With any luck, reading through this should have showed you how to effectively manage your condition. Use the tips above to help combat sleep apnea and get a good night’s sleep.
Don’t ignore your doctor’s advice and follow his directions even if it includes stronger treatments. Sleep apnea is not only a condition that makes you feel fatigued, but it also increases the risk of depression, stroke and many other serious health problems.