Be proactive about your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be potentially dangerous and there are too many people who mistakenly assume it’s not a big deal. The article below discusses some of the things you can do to get your apnea in check.
If your narrow airways are causing sleep apnea, get a mouth guard designed for sleeping. Through the use of a mouth guard, airways will be kept open. Get fitted for a mouth guard by your doctor if need be.
Try getting rid of bad habits to better your sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol and smoking are very bad for the condition. Alcohol can put you into a very deep sleep and depress your respiration. Smoking damages the lungs. Quitting both of these habits completely will really alleviate your symptoms.
Look into corrective mouth pieces to help with your sleep apnea. You may have a naturally narrow breathing passage, small jaw or recessed chin that can amplify the effects of sleep apnea. With a specialty device, you can change your sleeping position and align your jaw so that you are able to sleep.
Depending on the condition that is causing your sleep apnea, you may be able to find a simple tool to improve your sleep. These gadgets correct your alignment, letting you breathe easily and normally throughout your sleeping hours. Consult with a doctor or get a mouth guard made if you are suffering.
Lose weight if you need to. Multiple research projects demonstrate the connection between sleep apnea and being overweight. If you are obese, lose at least 20 pounds to see if it makes a change for the better with your sleep apnea. It will also help ward off other medical conditions, too.
Talk to a physician about the right CPAP machine for you. Factors such as the machine’s noise level and its size are important to consider. Don’t worry too much about the sound as there are many types of very quiet machines that will not disrupt sleep. The doctor will know which manufacturers offer the best machines.
Look for alternatives to sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar to alcohol in that they cause the muscles in your throat to be less tense. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. Consult with your practitioner to see what you can do to get to sleep without putting your breathing patterns at risk.
If sleep apnea is an issue for you, and you are a smoker or drinker of alcohol, consider quitting to help with your symptoms. Snoring and apnea are common occurrences for those with these habits because they relax the muscles in the airway. Getting rid of these habits can save you money as well.
You might want to look into anti-snoring devices. When the airway is mostly closed, snoring occurs. Apnea on the other hand, occurs when the airway is completely closed. For less severe forms of sleep apnea, consider finding some simple anti-snoring devices. These devices might be just what you need for a better night’s rest.
Sleep Apnea
One way to prevent yourself from getting sleep apnea is to exercise your throat muscles and make them stronger. When your breathing is obstructed by soft tissues collapsing in the anterior of your throat while you sleep, the result is sleep apnea. As your muscles strengthen, they will be more likely to keep your airways open.
It may be possible to reduce the problems you are having with sleep apnea by getting involved with a wind instrument. In Germany, research has been done that suggests playing the didgeridoo will train the muscles of the upper airway. This muscle group manages airway dilation and stiffening. Because of this, regular playing of this instrument can aid sleep by reducing the various symptoms that sleep apnea produces.
Avoid alcohol when you have sleep apnea. When drinking alcohol it causes the muscles in your throat to relax, which results in snoring and blocked airways. Quit drinking, or have only one drink a few hours before bed. This helps to avoid the problem of alcohol harming you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Try your best to use your CPAP machine as much as possible if you get one. Some people find the machine difficult to get accustomed to. However, it won’t be effective if you don’t use it every day. 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.
Learn to play a wind instrument. You will like the music and help exercise muscles that can better your breathing. Strengthening these muscles can help you better control them when sleeping, which can lessen apnea symptoms.
Eating in a healthy way will help you drop weight and fight apnea. A lot of people are amazed at how a poor diet negatively affects sleep apnea. Studies show that people who eat low quality foods suffer from apnea worse than overweight people that eat healthy foods.
If you are using a CPAP when dealing with sleep apnea, get your doctor to prescribe you a heated humidifier. You are more likely to enjoy some good sleep, and also stick with therapy, if the air is moist and warm. A lot of CPAP machines have humidification standard now, so ask your doctor for a model like that.
Some cases of sleep apnea are quite severe. Be aware of the symptoms of sleep apnea and consult your doctor if you are concerned. An official diagnosis will help you figure out if you really do have sleep apnea or not.
Do not let your condition, treatment or even your CPAP machine embarrass you. Inform people about the necessity of your actions and avoid being overcome by self-conscious feelings when you use it in front of friends or your significant other. You have to use your CPAP machine or else you might not get a solid night’s rest, so everyone you know should understand.
If you are requiring a hospital visit, don’t leave the CPAP machine behind. Be it an intended or emergency room stay, you must always have access to your CPAP and the mask when you suffer from sleep apnea. It is already set to your pressure, and you will have the exact mask you are used to using every night. Even if you are hospitalized, you can seamlessly continue using your CPAP in this manner.
If you’re taking a long trip, talk to the airline about using your CPAP. The airline may seat you in a convenient place to make using your machine easier. Remind them that you will need to plug your machine in, or you can use a machine that uses batteries as a backup measure.
Be sure to treat allergies and sinus issues right away if you suffer from sleep apnea. Remember that you already face difficulties from your sleep apnea. You must eliminate anything that might obstruct your airway as you sleep. Eliminating your nasal problems maintains a clear airway, which will increase the chances that you will sleep better.
Take immediate steps to seek relief from your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is one condition that tends to steadily worsen the longer it’s left untreated. Do not let it get worse. Go to a doctor and follow his or her recommendations. Sleep apnea can be controlled with proper attention.
Nasal Spray
If you are concerned that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, talk with your doctor immediately. Sleep apnea is an extremely complicated condition. You shouldn’t compromise your sleep by just guessing whether or not you have it. Your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan if you share all your symptoms with him.
If nasal dryness or congestion is an issue, try a nasal spray. You can experience a few nights of untroubled sleep using such a product. Nasal spray is not a permanent solution to nighttime breathing issues, though; prolonged use will cause irritation and possibly sinus damage. Try other ways of opening this passage.
The technical definition of sleep apnea is not having enough oxygen while you sleep. Given this underlying cause, it’s a good idea for sleep apnea sufferers to avoid high altitudes. At higher elevations, there is less oxygen available. So avoid sleeping at high elevations if you are able to do so.
Losing weight will often make a big difference for patients suffering from sleep apnea. For people who are overweight, sleep apnea is much more prevalent especially people with a larger neck circumference. Losing some weight can help improve the amount of air you can take in.
Many people find relief in treating sleep apnea with mouth and throat exercises. Weaknesses in these particular muscle groups can make your sleep apnea much worse, so it’s a good idea to learn some targeted exercises to treat them. You may see results after just a few days of doing exercises.
Curb drinking heavily if you have sleep apnea. Snoring and airway blockages are made worse by over-relaxed throat muscles, and this is something that heavy drinking can cause. Quit drinking, or have only one drink a few hours before bed. This will lessen the chances of alcohol interrupting your sleep.
Proper fitting will insure a comfortable fit. These plastic conveniences help clear your airways and relieve your snoring, which is sometimes the cause of sleep apnea. You may have a jaw that contributes to sleep apnea as well. This may simply be genetic.
Sleep apnea can trigger anxiety. If you have that too, try taking a bath prior to bed each night. You can relieve tension and relax your muscles by soaking in a warm bath. This should provide you with an easier and faster way to sleep, reducing the chances of sleep apnea interfering and causing misery.
If you have sleep apnea, try to take a nap during the day in order to make up for the sleep deficit caused by your condition. Besides making you feel drowsy and fatigued, sleep deprivation can also lead to more serious health problems. Because of this, take as many naps as possible so that your amount of good sleep is increased.
Sleep is one of the most necessary things in life; you do not have to let sleep apnea control you. Take the helpful tips you learned here and use them to prepare yourself each day to get a good night’s sleep, and hopefully this condition will be a thing of the past.
Think about a mouth guard. Any kind of physical anomaly in your jaw or your mouth position (such as an overbite) can make wearing a custom-fitted guard while you sleep a good idea. You will have an easier time keeping your airway open when you sleep if your jaw is properly aligned with a mouth guard.