Sleep apnea is not diagnosed in many of those that it afflicts, and the cases of it can really vary in their magnitude. People who suffer from sleep apnea often have trouble with their tongue and palate relaxing to the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway and interferes with breathing. Although this sleep disorder can be fatal, many treatments are available to decrease the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Are nicotine and alcohol a part of your life? Lose all your bad habits. Both have a negative influence on your air passages. Smoking swells up your airways, while drinking depresses your nervous system and muscles into excess relaxation. This can both cause and exacerbate sleep apnea. If you find that you just can’t give these bad habits up, do what you can to not do either of them within four hours of your bedtime.
If your sleep apnea is the result of narrow airways, try using a mouth guard when you sleep. They are designed to help you breathe properly at night by aligning your airways. Mouth guards and sleep masks must be properly fitted in order to help improve apnea.
Talk to your doctor about fitting you with a mouth piece you can wear at night. You could have an overbite, small jaw, or narrow breathing passage that worsens your sleep apnea symptoms. Specialty devices can alter your position during sleep and more properly align jaw elements, giving you a much higher quality rest.
Are you a drinker or a smoker? Eliminate bad habits. Your airways are significantly affected by smoking and drinking. Alcohol relaxes your airways, making them more prone to collapse, and smoking can cause them to swell, restricting airflow. Try to at least smoke less, because it will help you deal with sleep apnea.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine, try to wear it for about 4 hours every night. Many people find it very difficult to feel comfortable using a CPAP to go to sleep. Four hours of use every night is the minimum necessary time you need to realize the benefits of CPAP therapy. If you’re struggling to adjust, ensure you’re using the CPAP for four hours every single time you go to sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can benefit from a good diet that results in your losing weight. A lot of sleep apnea sufferers are shocked by the role that a bad diet has in their affliction. It has been shown through many studies that people who eat a poor diet usually suffer with worse sleep apnea than someone who is just overweight but manages to still eat somewhat healthier.
Believe it or not, wind instruments can help you deal with your sleep apnea. Playing this kind of instrument strengthens your muscles in the upper airways. These muscles are responsible for the strength of your airway passage and its ability to dilate. Because of these movements, if you play this instrument regularly, you can control your sleep apnea symptoms and get a better night’s rest.
Avoid drinking alcohol to excess. Alcohol causes your muscles to relax. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. Alcohol will relax the throat muscles, which ends up making it harder for the body to control the airways. If you can’t give up drinking completely, at least make an effort to moderate your intake and avoid having alcohol in the hours leading up to your bedtime.
Sleep apnea is a serious health condition. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, be sure to speak with your doctor immediately. An official diagnosis might mean consultation with a sleep specialist, a sleep test and monitoring to get a whole grasp on your situation.
Sleep on your side in order to get some better 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.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed after a thorough medical examination. You might also undergo a sleep study. Dependent upon what your personal physician discovers, they might give you a referral to see a sleep specialist.
Keep a diary of your sleep habits to show your doctor at your appointment for sleep apnea. The intent is for you to record both the overall amount of sleep you get and any unusual symptoms or incidents that occur. Ask your partner for more specific information on how loud your snoring is, the quality of your breathing and even how restful you were. This diary will help a medical professional see patterns in your sleep habits.
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. The best thing you can do is to be sure you’re going to sleep and getting up every day during the same time.
Treating allergies or sinus issues is an issue of the first order. You already are having difficulty breathing at night due to your sleep condition. You don’t need anything else to interfere with your sleep. Keep your airway clear by clearing your nostrils before you go to sleep.
Now that you have a firm understanding of the basics of sleep apnea, you are well prepared to create your own sleep apnea plan in conjunction with your doctor. Contacting your doctor may be necessary in order to find out more about minimizing symptoms and the threat posed by sleep apnea.
Losing weight can help sleep apnea sufferers. If a person has a neck circumference of 17 inches or more, they are more likely to develop sleep apnea. When you lose weight it takes a lot of the pressure off of your airways and allows you to breathe more easily when you sleep.