It is not uncommon for many people to have difficulties getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep disorders are an often overlooked cause of this issue. Sleep apnea is one such common disorder, caused by an obstruction of the airways at night. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea, if you think you have it.
If your sleep apnea is the result of narrow airways, try using a mouth guard when you sleep. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. Ask your doctor about sleep mouth guards, and get fitted for one if you believe this could be the right solution for you.
If you have narrow air passages, consider a mouth guard. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. Talk to your doctor about whether or not a mouth guard can solve your sleep apnea problem.
If you are carrying a few extra pounds, it may be time to lose them. Obesity has clearly been linked with sleep apnea in multiple studies. For this reason, losing as little as 25 pounds could resolve your sleep apnea problems even if you would actually need to lose quite a bit more to attain your ideal weight.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
It can be a very serious issue when you have sleep apnea. If you suspect you may have it, it is important to see your doctor right away. With an official diagnosis, you will have to see a sleep specialist and possibly a home based sleep test with a portable monitor to fully assess the condition.
Eating healthy foods consistently can reduce your weight and sleep apnea symptoms. Changing from a poor diet to a healthy one can transform your sleep apnea symptoms. People that eat unhealthy are more likely to have worse sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea sufferers often benefit from laying on their side during sleep. When you sleep on your back, the airways get obstructed due to the throat and nasal passages being more prone to obstruction. Give sleeping on your side a try, and see if your symptoms improve.
Sleep apnea is a severe condition to have. If you experience symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t delay the conversation with your doctor. After diagnosis, you may be referred to a sleep specialist who may order a home study using a portable monitor. In this way, the specialist can assess your condition accurately.
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. There are hundreds of studies that show sleep apnea has effected many families together, and this might be something that you cannot escape.
Sleep on your side in order to get some better sleep. The chances of your airways being restricted are more likely when you sleep on your back. Give sleeping on your side a try, and see if your symptoms improve.
Get to bed at a regular time every night if you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes regular interruptions in your ordinary nightly sleep cycle. Any steps you take to improve your overall sleep habits will help deal with the symptoms of your condition and minimize the impact it has. Start with going to bed at a set time each night and waking up at a set time daily.
Give sleeping on your sides a try. Many people with sleep apnea sleep while on their backs. If you sleep on your back, you are more likely to have your mouth open and block your airways. You will breathe easier if you sleep on your side. If you have trouble staying off of your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your sleeping clothes. This will help you stay on your side while you’re sleeping.
If your sleep apnea doesn’t improve after anything you’ve tried, you may need to discuss more drastic options with your doctor. There are many treatment options available, some which do not work well with some everyone. But there are other methods of treatment, such as surgical techniques which include airway enlargement, as well as the removal of adenoids and tonsils
Sleep Specialist
Don’t sleep on your back at all if you have sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back blocks your airways quite easily. If you are the type of person who rolls over while sleeping, use pillows in order to maintain a side sleeping position.
Family history is one thing that doctors use to diagnosis sleep apnea. In addition, sleep studies could be performed. Afterwards, depending on the results, your doctor could refer a sleep specialist to you. A sleep specialist is a doctor who treats those with sleep problems.
Left untreated, sleep apnea may get progressively worse. There are a variety of treatments that you can do, but they take time to work. For some, weight loss can help, but even slender people can suffer from sleep apnea. Some people find that using a CPAP machine or a simple mouth guard designed for sleep apnea sufferers works for them. For others, surgical techniques to remove airway obstructions may provide the most effective relief. Choose the route which best meets your needs since getting treatment can lead to a happier and most restful life.
Try and get someone you know to tell you how you sleep through the night. Therefore, record yourself sleeping at night by putting a video camcorder in your room. The video should also have audio to listen for any noises.
If you have sleep apnea, or if you just snore a lot, playing an instrument may be beneficial. This can significantly help you get through the night without bothering other people with your heavy snoring. Taking up this new endeavor will help you get a handle on controlling your airways.
If your sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, make certain that a medical ID is always with you. 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, be proactive about finding and following treatment options. Sleep apnea is often a progressive condition so it is best to get treatment immediately. Don’t hesitate. Your symptoms will only get worse. See your doctor right away.
Stick to one regular pillow for sleeping on at night. Having too many pillows, or one gigantic one, may interfere with good breathing posture. This actually causes you to have more breathing difficulty based on your position. Because of this you should only use one pillow for easier sleeping.
It is possible to use a mouth guard to treat some of the symptoms of sleep apnea. Sometimes, a person’s jaw is genetically shaped to encourage sleep apnea. These devices can align your jaw in a way that makes breathing easier.
Avoid alcohol when you have sleep apnea. Alcohol will relax your throat and will block your passages. If you are going to drink, have only one a few hours before bed. If you do this, your quality of sleep should improve.
Some researchers believe that strengthening your throat muscles may help alleviate sleep apnea. In an effort to strengthen throat muscles, many exercises can be done to help.
After your diagnosis of sleep apnea, you have to prioritize forming a treatment regimen that is an effective source of relief. Sleep is important to living a healthy and successful life. If you follow these tips, you will get better sleep and feel better. as well.
The problem of sleep apnea is made worse when you are chronically tired. Make sure you sleep on a regular schedule. Schedule a certain time of night for sleep, and set an alarm to wake up at the same time every morning. You will help reduce the likelihood that your sleep apnea worsens.