You shouldn’t put off dealing with your situation if sleep apnea interferes with your nightly sleep cycle. Not getting enough sleep is both dangerous and detrimental to your health. Please consider the following advice on improving your sleep potential, despite having sleep apnea and all its symptoms.
Lose weight if you need to. Although it might not be the main cause, being overweight makes sleep apnea worse. For this reason, losing as little as 25 pounds could resolve your sleep apnea problems even if you would actually need to lose quite a bit more to attain your ideal weight.
If you have inherently narrow airway that are causing sleep apnea, a mouth guard can help. These devices correct your airways and they help you breathe properly. Get fitted for a mouth guard by your doctor if need be.
Get a mouth guard made specifically for you. These are a great aid to sufferers of sleep apnea. This is a good alternative to using the CPAP machine. 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.
Dealing with sleep apnea is normally something that is very serious. If you suspect you may have it, it is important to see your doctor right away. Once you have been diagnosed, your next step will be a sleep specialist, who may administer a sleeping test using a small monitor to determine the extent of your condition.
Avoid sleeping pills if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Sleeping pills can make your throat relax which prevents your airways from functioning properly. If your sleep apnea is bad, these pills are even more dangerous. They may be tempting to use but you’ll be better off staying away from sleeping pills.
If you want to beat your apnea and get a healthy dose of sleep, roll onto your side the next time you go to sleep. When sleeping on the back, throat and tongue muscles are more likely to block your airway. Be sure to go to sleep sideways and find out if that helps you to sleep tonight.
Your physician may want you to write in a log or journal about your sleep, in order to check to see if you have sleep apnea. You would record your total hours of sleep each night, as well as symptoms that occur. Your partner can tell you if you snore loudly, quit breathing or jerk your limbs. This type of data can help your doctor diagnose the issue.
Keeping a sleep log can help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea. This log is where you’ll keep track of how much you sleep during the night, and other symptoms you may experience. If you have a partner, you can find out about snoring issues, breathing issues or flailing limb issues. This makes it easier for the doctor to diagnose your condition.
If you have a CPAP machine, carry your medical ID. If you ever need medical attention in an emergency, it is critical that healthcare providers know that you have this condition and use that machine. This ID should state that you’ve got sleep apnea, that you’re using CPAP therapy, and that your machine has a specific pressure level that it must be set to.
Be sure to use just one, normal-sized pillow when you sleep. Using multiple or oversized pillows makes it more likely that you will end up in a position that encourages sleep apnea. This means that your position is actually making it harder for you to breathe. One standard pillow is all you need to avoid having this happen.
Take your CPAP along whenever you are embarking on an overnight trip. If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis, you must use your CPAP every single night. Most machines come with a bag that they can be transported safely in. This is perfect for taking your CPAP along with you anytime you are away.
Think about using nasal spray if your nasal passages are stopped up. You can experience a few nights of untroubled sleep using such a product. However, you should not use these sprays for an extended period of time to avoid irritation. A quick trip to the pharmacy can turn you onto a host of different treatments that can help reduce nasal congestion.
Only sleep with a single pillow of standard size. Puffy pillows, or using too many pillows, can put you in a position that interferes with your breathing. Your body is in an unnatural position and breathing becomes difficult. So pick out a single pillow you feel comfortable with to sleep on at night.
Occurs Whenever
Consider purchasing a device that assists in reducing your snoring. Snoring is precursor to sleep apnea. Snoring indicates the airway is blocked. Sleep apnea indicates the airway is fully blocked for a period of time. A device that can eliminate snoring can also relieve sleep apnea. This device can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea during the times you are in bed.
Snoring devices may serve your needs with sleep apnea. Excessive snoring occurs whenever your airways are only partially opened where a minimum amount of air can pass through. On the other hand, sleep apnea occurs whenever your airways are closed up completely with no passing through. It makes sense to have a device that will help both. If you have a machine to help with snoring it can help with apnea.
Certain tongue exercises can decrease sleep apnea symptoms. Try to press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Then, hold it there for about three minutes. This makes the tongue and throat muscles stronger and prevents them from relaxing and blocking the airway as you sleep.
Lower your risk for sleep apnea. There are some factors that are unavoidable. These can include being male or family genetics. If you lose weight or quit smoking it may help you deal with sleep apnea.
If you have to go on a plane make sure you tell them you have a CPAP machine. It is important that you have enough space for your medically necessary device. If flying on a foreign plane, remember to bring along a power adapter.
Do not lie on your back when you sleep if you have sleep apnea. If you sleep on your back, your air passages may become blocked. Use cushions or pillows to prop yourself up on your side while you sleep.
Don’t sleep on your back. If you sleep on your back, you are sleeping in a position that can block your airways. Instead, sleep on a side. You can use pillows to prop you up if side-sleeping is not something you are used to.
Sleep Apnea
There are throat exercises for sleep apnea sufferers that have been found quite effective. Doing this can help to make the muscles which surround the airways much stronger, which in turn prevents them from collapsing into your airways. An easy exercise is to firmly press your full tongue against the top of your mouth, then hold for approximately three minutes before releasing. Consistently do such exercises for the best results.
Stop smoking as soon as you find out you have sleep apnea. Smoking can cause the upper airway to swell, which exacerbates sleep apnea. To give up smoking, try any cessation program. Nicotine replacements are also good choices. Getting through the first month is the toughest. Once that happens, nicotine leaves your system and cravings begin dissipating.
If you think that sleep apnea is something you may have, it is best to consult with a doctor right away and get a sleep test. This type of test can help you figure out if you’re suffering from sleep apnea and the intensity of the condition. Less severe cases of sleep apnea can be relatively easy to treat.
Do not drink to excess if you suffer from sleep apnea. When you drink, the alcohol causes the muscles in your throat to relax, which will impede your airway and cause snoring. You should either quit drinking, or make sure you only have a single drink a long time before you sleep. You’ll be less likely to suffer from alcohol-related sleep disturbances this way.
Many people that have sleep apnea sleep on their backs. If that is you, think about switching to the side. Studies show that if you sleep on your side, it can help to alleviate the sleep apnea symptoms.
Restful Sleep
Keep in contact with your practitioner after you find out you have sleep apnea. This way you can talk to them about your progress. Make sure you meet with your doctor after you try a new treatment for a month to touch base on your condition.
Restful sleep is a vital part of good health so you need get restful sleep each night. Keep these tips in mind tonight when you are going to bed and you might find the treatment that is right for you.
There are cases where sleep apnea must be treated with surgery. This is usually when excess tissues in the throat block the airway at night. The removal of excess tissue will widen your airways, making it easier for you to breath. Make sure you’re aware your tonsils are removed as well.