Many people make the mistake in believing that continued tiredness for months on end is just a fact of life and nothing can be done about it. That is far from the truth. Sleep apnea is something people should accept and do research about.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. As with many other health problems, alcohol and tobacco will worsen sleep apnea. Drinking depresses the respiratory system and can cause severe breathing issues. When you smoke, you fill your lungs with carcinogens and cause severe damage. Eliminating these habits is going to help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.
Do you smoke or sometimes drink? Stop 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 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.
Ask your doctor for advice about what CPAP machine you should get. You need to take into consideration both the machine size and audible volume. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. Your doctor will be aware of the best machines.
Ask your doctor for a mouth piece to help alleviate your apnea issues. If your breathing passage is naturally narrow, you have a small jaw, or you have a recessed chin, your sleep apnea may be amplified. Specialty devices can alter your position during sleep and more properly align jaw elements, giving you a much higher quality rest.
Do you smoke and drink alcohol? Stop these bad habits. Alcohol and tobacco both cause airway problems. Smoking and alcohol combined can definitely cause sleep apnea. Try to at least smoke less, because it will help you deal with sleep apnea.
Mouth Guard
Taking up a musical instrument (especially a wind instrument) can have a positive effect on your sleep apnea. Researchers from Germany found that practicing with the didgeridoo on a regular basis strengthens throat muscles. These muscles are responsible for the strength of your airway passage and its ability to dilate. Therefore, getting involved with an instrument like this can help you sleep better.
Get fitted for a specialty made mouth guard. These are made especially for those suffering from sleep apnea. They make a good substitute for CPAP machine use, and provide better nighttime comfort. The soft tissues in your throat can collapse when you sleep at night, and wearing a mouth guard can help to keep your airway unobstructed.
To fight sleep apnea, try to eat a healthy diet. A lot of sleep apnea sufferers are shocked by the role that a bad diet has in their affliction. In past studies,it has been shown that those that eat improper foods have worse sleep apnea than those that eat healthy, but are overweight.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine, try to wear it for about 4 hours every night. Some find that it can be uncomfortable to use at first, but the point is to use it and ward off trouble. Use your CPAP as often as prescribed by your doctor, and make sure it fits properly. Try two hours at first if you must. The next week you should increase that amount to 4 hours. In the end, you should never use it less than 4 hours per night on a permanent basis.
Treat your allergies or other sinus problems when dealing with sleep apnea. This condition makes sleeping troublesome. You don’t need anything else to interfere with your sleep. You can get a much better night’s sleep if your treat your allergies or sinus problems and keep your breathing clearer.
Chin Strap
Weight loss can have a major impact on those with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in patients who are overweight and have a large neck circumference. 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.
Use a chin strap with your CPAP each night to prevent your mouth from opening as you sleep. This device keeps your jaw up as you sleep. Your CPAP machine cannot function properly if your mouth hangs open. Using a chin strap may help.
Try not to sleep on your back if you are prone to sleep apnea. Most apnea patients are “back sleepers”, making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. Use cushions or pillows to prop yourself up on your side while you sleep.
Losing weight is a good way to cut chances of developing sleep apnea. A lot of people find that if they shed weight they will help the apnea. Even a few pounds can help your sleep apnea symptoms.
Spending time exercising your throat muscles may significantly increase the complications of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is caused by the obstruction of breathing that results from the collapse of the soft tissues in the back of the throat. As your strengthen your muscles, you will have more control over them.
Left untreated, sleep apnea may get progressively worse. Some treatments may work for certain people, but not all of them. Shedding pounds can help people who are overweight, but not all sufferers have pounds to lose. You can use options like CPAP machines to help you sleep at night. For others, surgical techniques to remove airway obstructions may provide the most effective relief. More importantly than what treatment you decide to get is that you actually get some form of treatment.
Curb drinking heavily if you have sleep apnea. Drinking can relax the throat muscles too much, and that can cause airways to be blocked as well as snoring. Limit drink consumption to no more than two or quit drinking completely prior to bed. This will help you know that alcohol is not affecting the quality of your sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Playing a wind instrument can be helpful for sleep apnea. You are going to have a good time with the music, and you get to give your mind a workout. However, you are also working out your throat muscles that regulate breathing. Strengthening and training your throat muscles will help you gain control of them and help them stay in place as you sleep. This will have a positive effect on your sleep apnea.
You have learned much helpful information concerning sleep apnea, so be watching out for the signs. Do not believe that chronic tiredness is normal. Speak to your physician about sleep apnea and sleep better.
If you are taking a flight and bringing your CPAP machine, contact the airlines ahead of time. Many will make arrangements so that you have a seat with plenty of room to use it. Try to remember to bring the appropriate adapters for foreign flights.