The information presented in this article will hopefully be useful to anyone who’s currently dealing with a sleep apnea problem. If you do not treat sleep apnea, you may suffer dire health consequences; however, proper treatment can get sleep apnea under control. This article will teach you how to manage your sleep apnea better.
You have to get rid of a few vices to get through sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol and smoking are very bad for the condition. Drinking potentially causes extreme breathing issues because it reduces the ability of your respiratory system to function. Smoking, of course, causes both long and short term damage to your lungs and airways, as well as putting you at risk for cancer. These are both habits which can make sleep apnea worse.
Ask your doctor to recommend a good CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea. Among other considerations, inquire about how big the machine is and how noisy it is when it is operating. Quality CPAP machines are nearly noise-free and easily fit on a bedside table. Your doctor will help you find one that is well made.
A common reason for sleep apnea to occur is increased weight. The obvious solution is to lose the excess weight. Make sure that you stick with a plan that makes sense and combine a low calorie diet with an exercise regimen. Reducing carbohydrate intake can be an effective way to take off the pounds, according to some recent studies.
Sleep Apnea
Do you drink and smoke? Drop these unhealthy habits. Your airways are affected by using both of these substances. Your throat can swell thanks to smoking, and alcohol relaxes your palate and allows it to drop to the back of your throat, which restricts your airway while you sleep. Try to at least smoke less, because it will help you deal with sleep apnea.
Your phsyician can help you get a mouth piece to help with your sleep apnea. You might possess an airway that is naturally narrow, or you might have a recessed chin or small jaw. All of these can make the symptoms of sleep apnea seem more pronounced. You can get better rest if you wear a custom mouth guard that aligns your jaw properly.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, quitting could improve your symptoms. These habits can cause your throat muscles to relax or swell, increasing sleep apnea. Avoiding these temptations can put more money back in your pocket, and is a lot more cost effective than expensive surgeries that may no longer be necessary.
Slim down if you’re heavy. It is widely known that being overweight is the cause of sleep apnea for some people. If you are obese, even just losing twenty pounds can significantly improve sleep apnea symptoms.
If you have sleep apnea, consider learning how to play a wind instrument. Researchers in Germany have found playing a didgeridoo can make your throat muscles stronger. It helps to strengthen the muscles in the throat, which collapse during sleep apnea episodes. These are great reasons to take up playing this instrument and easing the symptoms of sleep disorders.
Sleep on your side, as it can help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. When we sleep on our backs, the nasal and throat passages are more prone to obstructing the air-ways. 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 will record the time you go to sleep and wake up, whether you woke up during the night and how you felt when you woke up each morning. Your partner can often say if you jerk limbs around, stop breathing for a second, or snore loudly. All these will assist your physician in making a formal diagnosis.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, avoid using sleeping pills. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Though they may help you sleep, you need the ability to wake should your airway colse too much.
When you are using a CPAP, if your mouth always drops open while you sleep, you should wear a strap for your chin. This device keeps your jaw up as you sleep. CPAP therapy will not work if your mouth is open, so try this simple device to see if it fixes the problem.
Stick to a schedule when it comes to your sleep. Sleep apnea already disrupts your rest more than it should. Whatever you are able to do to keep a regular sleep pattern will help you to be in better health and less exhausted during the day. The best thing you can do is to be sure you’re going to sleep and getting up every day during the same time.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and are planning a trip, it is important to plan on taking your CPAP machine with you. You ought not to go a single night without the CPAP if you have sleep apnea. A convenience travel pouch is usually included with purchase. You can transport your CPAP machine with you away from home.
If you have a CPAP machine, carry your medical ID. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. Your ID needs to mention your sleep apnea, your CPAP use and your CPAP pressure settings.
Remember to bring the CPAP machine with you if you should happen to require a stay at the hospital. 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. Since the settings are already set to what you’re used to, and the mask that you use each night is there, it makes it much easier to use at the hospital. Even if you are hospitalized, you can seamlessly continue using your CPAP in this manner.
Bring your CPAP along with you if you’re going to the hospital. If you are scheduled for hospitalization or if you go to emergency, you should make available your CPAP machine and mask. You’re already comfortable with the mask you’re using, and your machine provides exactly the pressure setting you need. Your whole hospitalization process will go much smoother because of this.
Stick with a single ordinary pillow when you go to sleep. Your sleeping position can be affected negatively by multiple pillows or an over-sized one. As a result, you may find it more difficult to breathe normally. Try out different pillows until you find just one pillow that allows you to lay your head flatter against the bed each night so you can breathe more freely.
If what you are doing at home isn’t working well enough to help your sleep apnea, then you should consult with a doctor to explore some additional treatment options. There are surgical procedures that have proven to be highly effective in severe sleep apnea cases, such as airway enlargement and the removal of the adenoids or (if they’re still present) the tonsils.
It’s important to take responsibility to lessen the things that can cause sleep apnea. Certain risk factors are ones you can do nothing about it, like inheriting genetic traits or having been born a man. Some other risk factors should be changed, such as drinking too much, smoking or weighing too much.
Sleep apnea does not go away on its own; patients need treatment. Different treatment options work well for some people, but not others. For some, weight loss can help, but even slender people can suffer from sleep apnea. Some other options include CPAP machines or other devices. Some people find that they do best by having surgery that will help alleviate their symptoms. Choose the route which best meets your needs since getting treatment can lead to a happier and most restful life.
If you are experiencing sleep apnea, stop smoking. Upper airways have a tendency to swell in smokers and increases the likelihood of sleep apnea. Try to use some nicotine patches or other stop smoking programs or medications. For most people, the toughest part is the first 30 days or so. Over time, you’ll find you need and/or want nicotine less.
Sleep apnea can contribute to many serious health disorders if left untreated. You need to do some research about sleep apnea if you have it. Take what you’ve learned here to heart, and start to get a handle on your condition.
Your sleep apnea might be easily solved with a simple solution. Give yourself a regular bedtime, and sleep about the same time every night. As well, take out any distractions that your bedroom may hold like televisions and computers. People who don’t make their bedroom conducive to a good night’s rest can easily bring about insomnia.