Not only does sleep apnea disrupt your life, it can also get to the point where it poses life threatening health conditions. That is why it is imperative to understand and treat the condition. Checking out the suggestions presented below is a great way to get started on the process of sleep apnea education.
Excessive weight can be a major contributor to sleep apnea. In these cases, simply losing the extra weight can alleviate the symptoms. Exercising and following a regular weight loss plan is the best strategy. Restriction of carbohydrates is shown to help those wanting to shed pounds.
Think about changing a few of your habits to help with your sleep apnea. Smoking and drinking are some of the biggest offenders. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the throat, which restricts the airway while a person sleeps. Smoking introduces known carcinogens into your lungs and damages them over time. You will notice a decrease in sleep apnea symptoms by quitting these habits.
If you’re a smoker or a drinker (or both) who’s also dealing with sleep apnea, you may find that giving up your vices will solve your sleep disorder. Sleep apnea and chronic snoring are each caused by over-relaxation of the airway muscles, and both smoking and drinking can cause this. While quitting these habits may not stop your sleep apnea episodes entirely, you will be healthier overall and save money at the same time.
Cpap Machines
Lose weight if you need to. Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms are more common in people who are overweight. If you slim down, you may see a marked difference in how your sleep apnea affects you.
In order to assist you with sleep apnea, you must talk to your doctor about what CPAP machines to use. You must consider both the size of your machine and its loudness. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. A medical professional will be the most knowledgeable guide to the different CPAP machines available.
Using a wind instrument can be a huge help in treating your sleep apnea. Researchers around the world have implied that the musical instrument, the didgeridoo, can be used to make airway muscles stronger. These muscles control your airway. Due to this, regular play can translate into good sleep at night.
Lose some weight if you’re heavy. Research has shown a clear link between sleep apnea and obesity. It also stands to reason that losing just a little weight can dramatically improve your condition and your health.
Losing weight through a good diet can fight sleep apnea. Not everyone is aware of just how significantly bad dietary choices can affect a sleep apnea condition. People who don’t eat healthy food have the worst sleep apnea conditions.
Are you using a CPAP for your sleep apnea? If so, then you should try to utilize it a minimum of four hours per night. Going to bed with a CPAP machine humming away is certainly an adjustment that can be a challenge for some. Keep in mind your CPAP device should be used at least four hours per night for it to help you. You’ll be comfortable using it on a regular basis in no time.
Sleep apnea is not to be taken lightly. If you find you have some of the symptoms, talk to a physician as soon as you can. A doctor can refer you to a sleep lab if the doctor believes you have sleep apnea, and you can then get on the road to recovery if you have it.
Try sleeping on your side. If you sleep on your back, this can make your sleep apnea worse. When you lay on your back during sleep, the tongue and soft palate shift to the back, which obstructs your airway. Avoid sleeping on your back and go on your side to make breathing easier. If you roll on your back when you sleep, try using pillows to stay on your side.
Try to avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills cause your throat muscles to relax, just like alcohol. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. There are ways to get to sleep that won’t have a negative effect on your breathing; ask your doctor for advice.
Sleep Apnea
A good physical exam, and a look at your family history, can quite often easily determine sleep apnea’s presence. You can do sleep studies and the things the doctor finds will guide him on making a decision on what can be done.
If you are dealing with sleep apnea, you never want to take any sleeping pills. Sleeping pills can make it so your airways don’t function correctly. If your sleep apnea is bad, these can prove a real risk. No matter how bad you want a good night’s sleep, these are not the answer.
Always have your CPAP machine with you while you sleep, even if it happens to be during a hospital stay. Whether the hospital stay is a planned one or it’s just an emergency room visit, always bring along the CPAP machines just in case you need to stay for awhile. You have already set the pressure to the appropriate level, and you are accustomed to the mask that you have been using nightly. This will make continuing your CPAP therapy much more tolerable.
To get a diagnosis for sleep apnea, your doctor may have you write a sleep log. In it, you’ll record the number of hours you sleep, as well as any symptoms you have during the night. If you sleep with another person, they’ll be able to help you keep track of snoring, interruptions in breathing, or jerking of your limbs. This will allow your doctor to see if you’re suffering from sleep apnea.
You need only one regular pillow to sleep with at night. Your head position can be altered from the optimal sleeping position when you use oversized or multiple pillows. You’ll be resting in such a way that makes breathing difficult. This means that one pillow is most appropriate to help alleviate your sleeping concerns.
Everyone knows that sleep apnea is frustrating to live with. Both you and your loved ones are affected by this sleep disorder. Sleep is interrupted, you are uncomfortable and your health and life are at risk. Apply the things you’ve just learned, and start managing your sleep apnea tonight.
Use nasal spray if you suffer from sleep apnea. This product will clear excess mucus and from your airways, and some formulas reduce inflammation. Nasal spray is not a permanent solution to nighttime breathing issues, though; prolonged use will cause irritation and possibly sinus damage. Check out all the different options while at your pharmacy.