Sleep apnea is frustrating and annoying, and it can also be fatal. If you are one of the many people who suffer from this condition, it is crucial to educate yourself on not only treatments, but also the root causes. This article will get you headed in the right direction.
A good diet can help anyone control their weight while also helping to fight sleep apnea. Most people would find it surprising to know that your diet can be a factor in managing sleep apnea. It has been shown through many studies that people who eat a poor diet usually suffer with worse sleep apnea than someone who is just overweight but manages to still eat somewhat healthier.
One of the reasons many people suffer from sleep apnea is because they are carrying excessive weight. If this applies, it is is important to shed some excess weight. Follow a strict diet and exercise regimen for awhile to see if this makes a difference. Reducing carbs in the diet may also help.
Do not consume as much alcohol as you used to. When drinking alcoholic beverages, it will relax your muscles. While this is often considered a desirable effect, it can lead to sleep apnea. If you are sleeping and have been drinking too close to bedtime, this can be a dangerous combination while you are asleep. If you’re not going to give up alcohol, then just don’t do it right before bedtime.
Do you sometimes drink or smoke? Get rid of behaviors that are not good for you. These substances influence your airways. Smoking will cause your throat to swell, and alcohol will relax it too much. If you can’t completely eliminate these habits, try avoiding them prior to bed.
Try out different things besides pills to help you sleep. Sleeping pills can make your throat muscles relax in an undesirable way. They can also contribute to a large variety of things that are problematic to those who suffer from sleep apnea. Discuss alternative methods for getting to sleep without altering your breathing with your physician.
Sleep Apnea
You may have to maintain a sleep log for your doctor to diagnose your condition. In it, you’ll be expected to log the hours you sleep nightly, any symptoms you may feel and the overall quality of your sleep. You can ask your spouse or a family member to let you know you how often you snore at night. This will greatly help your doctor in diagnosing your condition.
If you are overweight, lose some weight. Although it might not be the main cause, being overweight makes sleep apnea worse. Alternatively, if you shed twenty five pounds you can see a tremendous improvement in the symptoms of sleep apnea, especially if you are dealing with obesity.
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. Medical cards are available to describe your condition, the treatment you use and the level of treatment required to control your sleep apnea.
Avoid drinking alcohol to excess. Consuming alcohol causes your muscles to relax too much. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. While you might still drink, limit yourself and avoid it at bedtime.
If you are not experiencing success at overcoming your sleep apnea, you may want to take more serious measures. There are some people who cannot tolerate traditional methods of alleviating sleep apnea symptoms, leading to the need for surgical intervention to enhance their airway.
Some cases of sleep apnea are quite severe. If you suspect that you or a loved one has it, it’s important to make an appointment with a physician to talk to them about it soon. When you have a diagnosis, your doctor may send you to a specialist or set you up with other tests.
Lose a bit of weight to get rid of your sleep apnea. Some people are able to almost completely eliminate their sleep apnea with weight loss. Losing even just five pounds can make your sleep apnea symptoms go away.
Sleep apnea is definitely a frustrating condition to deal with; this point is widely agreed upon. The disturbances, discomfort and dangerous nature of sleep apnea can make sufferers very upset, not to mention their loved ones. Use this information to help you go about your treatment against sleep apnea.
If you are still smoking then you must stop – now. Your sleep apnea will worsen because smoking causes swelling in the upper respiratory system. You can use nicotine patches or replacement therapy to quit. Usually the first 30 or so days is the hardest part. Then you get less cravings as more and more nicotine leaves the body.