Not sleeping enough is part of every day life for most people, but many may not realize the root cause of their fatigue could be a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea may be the cause of this, as it can obstruct the airways each night. If you are not continually getting restful sleep, then it may be that you are suffering with sleep apnea.
Meet with a doctor about what CPAP machine you should use. Among other considerations, inquire about how big the machine is and how noisy it is when it is operating. Some machines are very quiet and no bigger than a simple bread box. Your physician will be able to guide you to good CPAP manufacturers.
Stop your destructive ways. Drinking and smoking are a couple of the biggest concerns. The muscle-relaxing effects of alcohol are very hard on the whole respiratory system and lead to significant breathing problems. Smoking damages the lungs. Getting rid of these bad habits can help to lessen the frustration that sleep apnea brings.
Do you sometimes drink or smoke? Get rid of behaviors that are not good for you. They can do bad things to your airways. 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.
Are you a drinker or a smoker? Break these unhealthy habits right away. Using these vices can harm your airways. Alcohol relaxes some throat muscles to the point that sleep apnea becomes worse. Cigarettes also cause you to have difficulty breathing. If you are unable to walk away from these habits forever, at least avoid them prior to sleeping.
Eating right can keep you healthy and well rested. Normally people are quite surprised to learn that unhealthy eating is a major source of their sleep apnea. There is scientific data that suggests that eating a poor diet can worsen sleep apnea, independent of a person’s weight.
Sleep Apnea
Your kids may have sleep apnea. If your child is inattentive, hyperactive, has poor grades, is irritable or hostile, and/or breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, they could be suffering from sleep apnea. The symptoms often resemble those of ADHD, but you must consult with your doctor to know for sure.
If you have sleep apnea and drink or smoke, try quitting to improve your symptoms. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. Unlike those medical interventions or pricey surgeries, eliminating these habits can save you money.
Sleep apnea is a significant disorder. If you see any signs, go get yourself an opinion right away. Once you know whether or not you have it for sure, you can figure out how to deal with it.
Try using a mouth guard that’s custom-fitted for you. Sleep apnea patients can have mouth guards that are custom made specifically to treat their condition. The mouth guard is more comfortable to use than a CPAP machine that works by applying constant positive airway pressure. These mouth guards help you by making sure your airways remain open by giving your soft tissues a stabilizing hand.
Sleeping on one of your sides when you have sleep apnea can help you sleep better. Your air passages are more likely to suffer obstruction when you sleep on your back. If you have trouble staying off your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas to help you stay on your side. You may see a big difference in the quality of your sleep.
If your physician has prescribed a CPAP machine, do try to sleep a minimum of four hours with it nightly. Some find that it can be uncomfortable to use at first, but the point is to use it and ward off trouble. If this is the case with you, try a different mask. That is often the source of the discomfort. Keep trying to use your machine, and work up to a full night slowly if you need to.
Your physician might ask you to start and maintain a sleep log to get a better grasp on your diagnosis. Write out how many times you wake up in the middle of the night, or how ofter you get tired throughout the day. Your spouse can inform you of any excessive snoring, jerking, or momentary lapses in your breathing. With this information, your doctors can make a final determination on whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea.
Throat Muscles
Remember to bring the CPAP machine with you if you should happen to require a stay at the hospital. It is critical to have your CPAP available to you, along with your mask at all times. The machine is pre-set to your specifications and you have the benefit of wearing the mask you are already familiar with. This will make your stay a little more comfortable.
Reduce your consumption of alcohol. When drinking alcoholic beverages, it will relax your muscles. If the throat muscles are too relaxed, they can collapse and block your airway. Alcohol relaxes throat muscles and can make it difficult to keep the air passage open. If you’re not going to give up alcohol, then just don’t do it right before bedtime.
You can lessen the sleep apnea symptoms you are experiencing. Genetic and congenital risks cannot be altered, but lifestyle changes can be made. However, many other risk factors can be cut out, like being overweight, a smoker or a heavy drinker.
A good way to help your sleep apnea might be to shed some extra weight. Many people find that they can completely correct sleep apnea by losing excess weight. You can have relief from sleep apnea symptoms by losing as little as 10 pounds.
Having your sleep apnea diagnosed by your physician is important; however, some options for self-help may be beneficial to you. If you lose weight and stop smoking, these are good decisions, especially if sleep apnea is a problem for you. Additionally, it’s important to refrain from consuming alcohol, large meals, or caffeine right before bedtime.
Be sure to use just one, normal-sized pillow when you sleep. Using more than one pillow, or one that is too large, can make you sleep in an odd position. You’ll be resting in such a way that makes breathing difficult. This is why one pillow is best to manage your symptoms.
Sleep apnea is a condition that requires treatment in order to be resolved. Different treatment options work well for some people, but not others. Losing weight will help minimize symptoms in many patients, but sleep apnea can occur in very thin individuals as well as those who are overweight. One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea are CPAP machines, which force air into the lungs while you sleep. Other people may be inclined to opt for surgery where changes may be made to the airway passages. Regardless of the method you use, obtaining some type of treatment is essential to living a higher quality of life with this condition.
Nasal Sprays
You can do tongue exercises to help minimize sleep apnea symptoms. Try to press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Then, hold it there for about three minutes. This makes the tongue and throat muscles stronger and prevents them from relaxing and blocking the airway as you sleep.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea and have a cold or allergies, try using a nasal spray. This will help clear your nasal passages before you go to bed. Avoid using nasal sprays over a long period of time; your mucus membranes could become damaged and irritated. Visit your local pharmacist to learn which nasal sprays you can pick from.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and require a CPAP machine, talk to your physician about heated humidification with it. This will make sleeping with CPAP much more comfortable and less frustrating. If your CPAP machine doesn’t have a humidifier, make wearing your mask much easier on yourself by asking for a humidifier prescription from your doctor.
Lower your risk for sleep apnea. Some risks are inherent, such as family history or being male. If you are an alcoholic, a smoker or are overweight, changing these factors may eliminate your sleep apnea.
Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse. This is why it’s essential to sleep in a good position. You can keep yourself propped up with a large foam wedge. Try to also prevent yourself from falling off the bed in the middle of the night.
Your physician is the only one who can really diagnose sleep apnea in you for sure, but there are things you can do on your own to manage and combat the condition once you know. Dropping weight or dropping cigarettes are good ideas; more so for victims of sleep apnea. Also, stay away from large meals, caffeine and alcohol a few hours before going to sleep.
Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse, so try to fall asleep on your side. One method to prevent yourself from changing positions during sleep is to sew a spherical object like a tennis ball into your nightclothes. It does so by making it intolerable to sleep on your back.
You must get treatment if you have sleep apnea. It will not resolve itself. Different treatment options work well for some people, but not others. Dropping some pounds might help your sleep apnea, but that might not be the cause. CPAP machines and other non-invasive therapies have worked for millions of apnea sufferers. Some individuals prefer a surgical procedure which relieves airways restrictions. Whatever path you choose, having any kind of treatment done is the secret to resuming a full and rich lifestyle.
Do not procrastinate in searching for a treatment. Start now! Not visiting a doctor will see that your sleep apnea will get worse. Don’t wait until you are getting absolutely no sleep every night. See your physician if you have even the slightest suspicion that you have sleep apnea.
Avoid heavy drinking when sleep apnea is a problem. Drinking alcohol can cause your throat to relax which can make sleep apnea worse. Try to quit drinking altogether, or make sure you’re not having too many drinks prior to going to sleep. Doing so will minimize the chance that alcohol will interfere with your sleep.
Corrective oral devices can sometimes be effective at easing the symptoms of sleep apnea. The way some jaws are shaped narrow airways. A corrective device will alter the jaw alignment and allow greater passage of air.
Do not hesitate upon finding a diagnosis of sleep apnea, get help right away. Your health and your life depend on getting enough adequate sleep every day. The tips from this article can help you enjoy a better night’s sleep so you will be healthier and happier.
Sleep apnea is a type of throat problem, so strengthening your throat muscles can help alleviate many apnea symptoms. If you wish to learn how to make your throat muscles stronger, you can do several simple and quick exercises.