You are likely curious to learn how to cope with sleep apnea if you or someone you love is affected by it. There are a variety of options for those with sleep apnea. Therefore, it is crucial that you get as much knowledge about sleep apnea as you can.
Check with your doctor to see which CPAP equipment is best to treat your sleep apnea. Size and noise are both things to factor into your decision. Some machines are very quiet and no bigger than a simple bread box. Your doctor will be familiar with them, so be sure to tap his knowledge.
Do you partake in a drink or smoke? Rid yourself of those bad habits. These substances can really harm your airways. Smoking swells up your airways while alcohol relaxes them. Both of these things can result in 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.
Go to the doctor to get a mouth guard that is custom made. Sleep apnea patients can have mouth guards that are custom made specifically to treat their condition. It provides a more comfortable option to using a CPAP machine. A mouth guard will work by positioning the jaw and tongue in a helpful way that will allow for easier breathing while asleep.
Quit smoking and drinking. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the back of the throat, which will cause an interference with breathing. Unlike costly surgeries or other medical interventions, dropping these habits will actually save you money.
Avoid alcohol before bed as much as possible. Your muscles will over-relax when you use alcohol, especially before bed. While this might often be a desirable side effect of drinking, it can also cause sleep apnea. Your throat muscles become relaxed and cause your airways to become blocked. If you do drink alcohol, avoid drinking it 3 hours before bedtime.
Sleep Apnea
Dealing with sleep apnea is normally something that is very serious. If you see any signs, go get yourself an opinion right away. If he says you have sleep apnea you should go to a sleep specialist so that you can get tested further.
Try losing weight if you are obese. Obesity has clearly been linked with sleep apnea in multiple studies. Losing a little weight can have a big affect on your sleep apnea. Try a calorie restriction diet and exercise.
To help alleviate this condition, you should sleep on your side. Most people who have sleep apnea realize that they have been sleeping on their back too much. When you sleep on your back, tissue can block your throat and airways. Breathing is a lot easier for your body to do when you are on your side. If you usually sleep on your back, make a conscious effort to change your ways.
Avoid alcohol if you have sleep apnea. Alcohol naturally relaxes your muscles. Even though you may enjoy the relaxing effects, this can contribute to sleep apnea events. Alcohol can relax the muscles in your throat, making it more difficult for your body to control your airway. If you feel you must drink, try not to do it as often or before you go to sleep.
If you sleep alone, it may be hard for you to get a good idea of the exact nature of your sleep apnea symptoms. You can remedy this problem by setting up a recorder that can film you while you’re sleeping at night. Ensure that you record audio also, which will allow the doctors to evaluate noises you are making during sleep.
Try sleeping on your side to prevent sleep apnea from robbing you of a good night’s sleep. Sleeping on the back can cause air passages to constrict. Try to fall asleep in a side position, and discover if that relieves your sleep apnea tonight.
When you are using a CPAP, if your mouth always drops open while you sleep, you should wear a strap for your chin. A chin strap is a fabric strip that prevents your chin from falling during the night, which in turn keeps your mouth closed. Try out CPAP therapy for your mouth.
Seek out something else rather than taking sleeping pills. Sleeping pills can interfere with your throats muscles, just like alcohol. They also can cause other harmful issues to make your sleep apnea worse. If you have chronic insomnia, consult with your doctor about safe alternatives to sleeping pills.
Bring your CPAP on all the trips you go on during your travels. You never should go a single night without your CPAP. You should have a travel bag for your machine. You can transport your CPAP machine with you away from home.
Mouth Closed
If nothing you are trying is improving your sleep apnea symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about some of the more drastic treatment options that are available. Some people have poor luck with typical sleep apnea treatments, and resort to a surgical treatment that entails the removal of the adenoids and tonsils, or the enlargement of the airway.
If you are using a CPAP machine but having trouble keeping your mouth closed, you should consider using a chin strap. A chin strap is a fabric strip that prevents your chin from falling during the night, which in turn keeps your mouth closed. If your mouth falls open when you sleep, your CPAP therapy won’t be effective. Use this device to try and solve the problem.
Shed pounds if you want to get rid of your sleep apnea. There are a number of people who only need to lose a few pounds to entirely stop their sleep apnea episodes. You can have relief from sleep apnea symptoms by losing as little as 10 pounds.
Take your CPAP along whenever you are embarking on an overnight trip. When you are dealing with sleep apnea, the CPAP machine should be used every single night. Your machine probably came with a convenient carrying bag. This bag will help you safely travel with your CPAP machine when you are on vacation.
Try not to sleep on your back if you are prone to sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back raises the risk of a blocked airway, experienced by many sufferers. Prop yourself on your side using pillows or cushions.
Reduce your sleep apnea risk factors. Sleep apnea can run in the family, and that is one factor that can’t be changed. On the other hand, certain risk factors, such as being fat, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol, are entirely under your control.
People that have sleep apnea need the help of a doctor. Some treatments work better for different people. For some, weight loss can help, but even slender people can suffer from sleep apnea. Other options, including the use of a CPAP machine, have helped a great number of people curb their symptoms. Still others prefer the surgical route where modifications can be made to overcome airway restrictions. Whichever route you choose should provide treatment that makes you happy.
If you shed some weight it will likely help with apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in patients who are overweight and have a large neck circumference. Pressure on the neck is reduced with weight loss, making breathing easier while sleeping.
If sleep apnea afflicts you, don’t drink too much. Drinking alcohol can cause your throat to relax which can make sleep apnea worse. Avoiding alcohol altogether is best, but if you must drink then limit yourself to one drink taken several hours before bedtime. You will make sure that your sleep is not affected by the alcohol.
Your sleep position determines a lot in terms of your bouts of sleep apnea. Therefore, you need to be careful about the way you sleep. Try taking a foam wedge and using it to raise the top half of your body. Or, if you can, raise the top of your bed by at least four inches.
People that have sleep apnea can benefit from learning to play a wind instrument. Not only will it be soothing for you, but in a trial study in Germany, it showed that a wind instrument can relax the symptoms of sleep apnea. Your new talents can help control your airways.
Cpap Machine
Take hold of your sleep apnea and seek out a cure for it. Sleep apnea is often a progressive condition so it is best to get treatment immediately. Do not let it get worse. Go to a doctor and follow his or her recommendations. Sleep apnea can be controlled with proper attention.
Let the airline company know far in advance when you plan on traveling and you have to take your CPAP machine with you. Many airlines will help you find a seat in a location where you have the space to use your CPAP machine. Also, don’t forget the power adapter you will need if you are booked with a foreign airline.
Many people with sleep apnea sleep on their backs. If you sleep on your back, think about changing positions. You can significantly reduce your sleep apnea symptoms by not sleeping on your back and falling asleep on your side.
Completing some throat exercises allows you to reduce your snoring during the night when you have sleep apnea. This can significantly help you get through the night without bothering other people with your heavy snoring. Any instrument that strengthens your airway muscles can improve your breathing at night.
Don’t drink alcohol, particularly right before bed. Alcohol is not good for your larynx and can cause throat constriction. You don’t have to give up alcohol entirely; just shy away from drinking close to bed time.
Exercising the smooth muscles of your throat may reduce sleep apnea symptoms. These exercises strengthen the muscles surrounding the airway, which makes them less prone to collapsing. One of the many examples is to press the whole tongue to the roof of your mouth, hold it for three minutes and then release. Try this once every day.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, go see your doctor. The condition is too serious to make assumptions about. Inform your doctor of your sleeping issues, and he or she can help you find the reason.
The more you know, the better. Knowing your options will empower you and get you well on your way. There is an abundance of things to learn about sleep apnea and this article is a good starting point.
Playing a wind instrument can help you strengthen your throat muscles. Practicing any wind instrument will greatly help your sleep apnea. Playing these instruments helps you learn air control and exercises your airway muscles, increasing their strength. It won’t happen immediately, but over time, learning to play one of these things will benefit your muscles and your sleep apnea.