Finding effective treatment options for the complex disorder of sleep apnea is an important issue that all patients face. Understanding the full range of treatment options is key to finding an effective solution that will work for your own situation. Review the information presented here to learn the basics and get started seeking appropriate treatment.
Overweight people are prone to suffering from sleep apnea. In this case, a person suffering from sleep apnea needs to lose this excess weight. Increasing exercise and reducing your total calorie intake can help to accomplish this. Carbohydrate restriction has been shown to help people lose weight in recent studies as well.
Excessive weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea for many people. Should this be the reason, weight loss should be the rule of thumb. Follow a strict diet and exercise regimen for awhile to see if this makes a difference. Carbohydrate restriction has been shown to help people lose weight in recent studies as well.
Check with your doctor to see which CPAP equipment is best to treat your sleep apnea. The noise level of a CPAP machine and its overall size are both points to take into consideration. A machine to get you through the night is better than feeling fatigued every day. The doctor will know which manufacturers offer the best machines.
Using a mouth guard specifically made for sleep apnea sufferers may help you sleep better. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. Speak with your doctor to see if you should get a specially fitted mouth guard.
Do you partake in a drink or smoke? Get rid of these bad habits. They can do bad things to your airways. Smoking can cause your airways to swell up while alcohol will make your airway more relaxed, which can cause sleep apnea. If you are having trouble quitting either of these habits, at least try to abstain in the few hours before bedtime.
Do you drink and smoke? If you suffer from sleep apnea, quit smoking and cut down on your alcohol consumption. These types of substances restrict your airways. Smoking will cause your throat to swell, and alcohol will relax it too much. If it is not possible for you to quit cold turkey, then try not to smoke or drink immediately before bedtime.
Get fitted for a specialty made mouth guard. These are a great aid to sufferers of sleep apnea. This is something that works well instead of using a CPAP, and it’s more comfortable. The mouth guard keeps your jaw in the proper position and keeps your airway more open.
Regular practice on a wind instrument can minimize some of your sleep apnea symptoms. In Germany, research has been done that suggests playing the didgeridoo will train the muscles of the upper airway. This muscle group manages airway dilation and stiffening. Because weaknesses in these muscles can cause apnea, playing regularly may actually help you sleep better at night.
Try sleeping on your side to prevent sleep apnea from robbing you of a good night’s sleep. When we sleep on our backs, the nasal and throat passages are more prone to obstructing the air-ways. If you can get to sleep lying on your side (and stay that way through the night), you may well experience a much less trouble night.
Sleep Apnea
Try to keep a sleep schedule if sleep apnea is an issue in your life. Your sleeping pattern is already thrown off by this sleep disorder. So, anything that you can find that will help rebuild healthy sleep patterns is a must to help you live a healthier lifestyle. Go to sleep and wake up at set times each day, even the weekends, for the best results.
It is not uncommon for children to be sleep apnea sufferers. There are a multitude of symptoms that can determine whether your child has sleep apnea. The symptoms often resemble those of ADHD, but you must consult with your doctor to know for sure.
When you travel, be sure to bring your CPAP on the trip. If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis, you must use your CPAP every single night. Conveniently, your CPAP machine should have a bag included with it for easy travel. You can transport your CPAP machine with you away from home.
It is hard to know whether or not you are having difficulty breathing at night if you sleep alone. Therefore, record yourself sleeping at night by putting a video camcorder in your room. Make sure the video has sound as well, so that your doctor can hear your breathing.
If you need to stay at a hospital for any reason, remember to pack your CPAP machine. If the hospitalization was planned or for an emergency, you should still be sure that your CPAP and your mask are brought with you to be used while you’re there. You’re already comfortable with the mask you’re using, and your machine provides exactly the pressure setting you need. Doing so will make your hospitalization easier because you can continue to do your CPAP therapy.
Be sure to treat allergies and sinus issues right away if you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea makes breathing during sleep hard. The last thing you need is something else interfering with your airways while sleeping. Keep your airway clear by clearing your nostrils before you go to sleep.
You need only one regular pillow to sleep with at night. Puffy pillows, or using too many pillows, can put you in a position that interferes with your breathing. 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.
Think about using nasal spray if your nasal passages are stopped up. This might open up your airways so you can sleep. It’s important to follow the instructions for usage, as these sprays should be used temporarily, not permanently Visit your local pharmacist to learn which nasal sprays you can pick from.
Although you should visit your doctor to become diagnosed, you can still figure out if you have sleep apnea on your own. It’s always a good idea to stop drinking and smoking and lose weight. It is doubly so if you have sleep apnea. Curtail alcohol, heavy foods and caffeine before bedtime also.
Consider trying devices that reduce snoring. While apnea involves complete blockage of the airways, snoring is similar in that partial airway obstruction is what causes it. So you can see that it is logical that this device can help with both issues. Your sleep apnea can be curtailed some with the use of an anti-snoring aid.
Sleep apnea does not go away on its own; patients need treatment. Depending on what causes your sleep apnea, you may respond to different treatments. Dropping some pounds might help your sleep apnea, but that might not be the cause. One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea are CPAP machines, which force air into the lungs while you sleep. Some actually choose to have surgery done, where airway restrictions are physically removed. Whatever you do, it will help.
Obesity is sometimes the root cause of sleep apnea. If your sleep condition is caused by obesity, weight loss may solve your problem completely. A person with sleep apnea can breathe a lot easier without all that extra weight on them.
Sleeping flat on your back may worsen sleep apnea, so try to sleep on your side. One trick to prevent yourself from accidentally rolling onto your back in the night is to attach a lumpy object to the back of your pajamas. You can sew a pocket onto the back of your pajama shirt to put the ball or socks in.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should avoid sleeping on your back. Most people with sleep apnea tend to snooze lying face-up, and this can cause the airways to be more susceptible to interference. Try your best to avoid sleeping on your back, and use pillows or something else to keep you on your side.
If you’re taking a long trip, talk to the airline about using your CPAP. You will be able to make an arrangement with the airline to use your CPAP. Make sure you bring a power adapter if you fly on a foreign airline.
Sleep apnea does not go away on its own; patients need treatment. There are various sleep apnea treatments for various people because no two cases are exactly alike. One thing that can help you is losing weight, another is how you position yourself in your sleep. Non-invasive options like the CPAP machine are highly successful for millions of sufferers. Some decide to go under the knife to get the airway relief they require. 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.
Anyone who has sleep apnea should avoid laying on their back during sleep. Sleeping on the back causes the airway to block, preventing sound and restful sleep. You should attempt sleeping on the side, but if you do not like it you can always use pillows so that you are forced to sleep this way.
Some great tongue exercises can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. For instance, press your tongue into the roof of your mouth for at least three minutes. This strengthens the muscles throughout the airway passage and minimizes the likelihood of them interfering with breathing and sleep.
Sometimes it is possible to treat sleep apnea using devices that attach to the mouth. This is caused by the shapes of people’s jaws, which can mean they have narrower airways. These devices realign the jaw much the same way that braces do the teeth.
The manner in which you sleep can have a hand in your sleep apnea. You must figure out which position is best for you. Lift up the top half of your body with a foam wedge. Or, if your bed is adjustable, raise it about four inches at one end.
Communicate with your doctor before and after you get a sleep apnea diagnosis. Your physician can give you advice and keep you up on new treatments. If you try something new, follow-up with your doctor in about a month so you can tell him how the treatment is working.
Someone who suffers with snoring or sleep apnea should think about taking up a wood instrument. This is good for your soul, and playing a wood instrument will reduce sleep apnea issues. Learning this skill will assist you in controlling your breathing patterns.
Those with sleep apnea shouldn’t drink alcohol before bed. Your throat muscles over-relax when you drink which makes breathing harder. You don’t have to give up alcohol entirely; just shy away from drinking close to bed time.
If you have sleep apnea, be proactive about finding and following treatment options. Sleep apnea is often a progressive condition so it is best to get treatment immediately. You shouldn’t allow your snoring and sleep quality to worsen. If you believe you may suffer from sleep apnea, immediately visit your doctor.
If you have issues with poor sleep or waking frequently during the night, have your family doctor evaluate you for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is complex, and sleep is important. You don’t want to leave your treatment up to guesswork. Talk to your physician, and establish a medical treatment plan.
Throat Muscles
A technical description for sleep apnea is insufficient oxygen intake while sleeping. This means you should not sleep at high elevations. High elevations mean that your oxygen level will be lower and may cause your sleep apnea to be worse. Therefore, aim to sleep at a lower elevation if possible.
When you have sleep apnea, the obstruction occurs in your throat and not in your nasal passages. Therefore, strengthening your throat muscles can help to reduce your apnea episodes. If you would like to know how to strengthen the throat muscles, then continue on and learn about some helpful exercises.
Alcohol should be avoided, especially before going off to bed. Alcohol can make a lot of disorders regarding sleep much worse, including sleep apnea. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and makes it less likely you’ll be able to be woken up if you stop breathing. This combines for something that could prove to be fatal.
The quest for an effective treatment technique is something with which sleep apnea sufferers are all too familiar. Knowledge is crucial for coping with this harmful condition. Use the tips here to locate the best treatment for your condition.
Find out if your spouse has heard you gasp for breath while snoring in the middle of the night. They may have had issues with your snoring keeping them awake. See how it affects them and inform them that these things will diminish if you keep treating your apnea.