Are you allowing sleep apnea to interfere with your amount of high-quality sleep? If so, then you should find some treatments immediately. Getting insufficient sleep on a regular basis can cause all sorts of problems, and may even put you in danger. Take into consideration the ideas and tips laid out in this article, so that you can find better sleep even in spite of having sleep apnea.
Do you smoke or sometimes drink? Quit these terrible habits. Both of these things affect your airway negatively and compound your sleep apnea problem. Your throat can swell thanks to smoking, and alcohol relaxes your palate and allows it to drop to the back of your throat, which restricts your airway while you sleep. If it’s too challenging to give up these habits entirely, you should at least avoid indulging in them as you approach your bedtime.
Do you drink and smoke? If the answer is yes and you have sleep apnea, you need to stop both habits. These substances can really harm your airways. Alcohol relaxes your airways, and tobacco causes it to swell. If you are unable to walk away from these habits forever, at least avoid them prior to sleeping.
Look into corrective mouth pieces to help with your sleep apnea. You might have a narrow breathing passage, recessed chin, or small jaw naturally that can worsen sleep apnea. Corrective devices can improve your jaw alignment at night and increase your rest quality.
Talk to your doctor to find out if a sleep mouth guard will work for your apnea. It may be that your airways are narrower than average, and this is fine. Specialty devices can alter your position during sleep and more properly align jaw elements, giving you a much higher quality rest.
Start playing a wind instrument to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. Research in Germany has shown that playing an instrument called the didgeridoo can train the muscles in your upper airways and strengthen them. These muscles are responsible for opening and closing your airway, as well as controlling the stiffness of the airway. This means that practicing regularly with a wind instrument will reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms that you experience.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Try something else besides sleeping pills. In the same way that alcohol does, sleeping pills over-relax throat muscles. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. Consult with your doctor about what you should take besides sleeping pills.
Taking up a wind instrument can help to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. Researchers in Germany have found playing a didgeridoo can make your throat muscles stronger. Upper airway muscles manage dilation and stiffening of airway walls. This means that if you practice regularly, you will notice a reduction in sleep apnea symptoms and snoring.
Sleep on your side. Many sufferers of sleep apnea sleep on their backs. If you sleep on your back, your airway may become blocked when mouth tissues slide back. Try to sleep on your side to avoid that. Use pillows to force yourself to sleep sideways if you have a problem with rolling over once you are asleep.
Try using a mouth guard that’s custom-fitted for you. These oral devices are specially made for sleep apnea sufferers. It’s a good way to get around having to use a CPAP machine, and feels better to wear throughout the night. A mouth guard works by keeping airways open and giving the soft tissues stability.
Always carry ID on you if you’re a sleep apnea sufferer who uses a CPAP machine. If you need medical attention, it’s crucial that others realize that you’ve got sleep apnea and that you use a CPAP. Your ID should clearly state all information relevant to your sleep apnea, including what pressure level setting you use for your CPAP.
Sleep apnea can occur in adults or children; there is no age limit. If he or she is cranky, active, inattentive and tends to breathe through their nose, they may have sleep apnea. Since these symptoms mimic ADHD, it’s important to have your child seen by a physician.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and are traveling, remember to bring the CPAP machine along. When sleep apnea affects you, do not attempt even a single night without your CPAP machine. A travel bag with good padding probably came with your machine. This can be used to transport the CPAP machine simply when not at home.
Doctor Diagnose
One sure-fire way to combat the problems posed by sleep apnea is proper weight management. Sleep apnea symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by taking off those extra pounds. Even if you lose just a few pounds, you will notice a difference. This helps to open the airways.
Keeping a sleep log can help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea. Sleep logs are records where patients write down the length and quality of their sleep. If your sleeping partner is telling you that you snore or jerk in your sleep, you may have sleep apnea. This type of data can help your doctor diagnose the issue.
Try using a device made to eliminate snoring. Snoring happens when the airways are mostly closed but air can come though, and apnea is when the airways are completely closed. This is why it makes perfect sense as to why this might work for you. If you have mild sleep apnea, an anti-snoring device may be enough to help with your condition.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, have a regular bedtime. Remember, your sleep is already being disrupted by your condition. Anything you can do to restore a natural sleep pattern will assist you in regaining your health and avoiding daytime sleepiness. The key is to have a set time for going to bed, and rising as well.
Do not lay on your back to sleep if you have a sleep apnea condition. Most apnea patients are “back sleepers”, making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. Use pillows to prop you up and keep you sleeping on your side for the best results.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea should not be ignored; it needs to be treated. Various treatment regimens and choices are effective for certain individuals, but not necessarily all. Shedding pounds can help people who are overweight, but not all sufferers have pounds to lose. Millions of sleep apnea sufferers find relief from non-surgical options like CPAP machines. Some people do prefer surgery over any other types of sleep apnea alleviation methods. Regardless of the method you use, obtaining some type of treatment is essential to living a higher quality of life with this condition.
Remember to keep your medical ID upon your person if you make use of a CPAP for your sleep apnea. You don’t need people questioning you and your device all the time, so it makes it easier when you bring your medical ID. Your ID should clearly inform medical personnel of your sleep apnea condition. Include the fact that you’re using a CPAP machine and indicate the proper pressure level it operates at.
If you have sleep apnea, stop smoking. Smoking causes your air ways to enlarge, and it makes sleep apnea much worse. Try out nicotine patches or gum to get rid of your sleep apnea. The majority of smokers say that the first month is the hardest. Beyond that, it becomes easier as your body detoxes from the nicotine.
Bring your CPAP on all the trips you go on during your travels. The effectiveness of the CPAP depends on nightly use, and if you have sleep apnea, it is essential to not miss even one night. This CPAP should have a travel bag that came with it. You can transport your CPAP machine with you away from home.
Do not drink too much alcohol if you have sleep apnea. When you drink, the alcohol causes the muscles in your throat to relax, which will impede your airway and cause snoring. You should either quit drinking, or make sure you only have a single drink a long time before you sleep. You’ll be less likely to suffer from alcohol-related sleep disturbances this way.
Although you should visit your doctor to become diagnosed, you can still figure out if you have sleep apnea on your own. Everyone can benefit from getting thinner or quitting smoking, but this goes double for those suffering from sleep apnea. Overeating, consuming an excessive amount of alcohol and too much caffeine before bed can all exacerbate sleep apnea.
Anxiety is a common result of sleep apnea, so think about relaxing baths prior to bed. A hot bath will reduce your tension and make you feel more relaxed. As a result, sleep is likely to come easier, and you are more likely to get a solid night of rest instead of one interrupted constantly by apnea flare-ups.
Sleep is not something you can skimp on. Use these suggestions to help you develop a plan for getting the restful sleep that you need to be your best.
There are some simple, straightforward techniques that can improve sleep apnea sufferers’ odds of getting a good night’s sleep. Make sure you establish a regular bedtime, and adhere to it every night. Make sure your environment is conducive to sleep as well, free of noise and distractions. Without the right conditions, you may induce insomnia.