It can be overwhelming to hear your doctor inform you that you are afflicted with sleep apnea. Remember though that this affliction is pretty frequent, and while potentially severe in effect, you can in fact manage it with success. This article is loaded with sleep apnea health care tips, so read on to learn more.
A common reason that people have sleep apnea is due to the extra pounds on their bodies. If you suffer from sleep apnea and are overweight, try losing a few pounds. Improving the overall health of the diet in combination with an increased level of exercise makes a simple, effective weight loss strategy. Taking carbohydrates out of a diet is something that studies show helps people lose weight.
One thing that affects sleep apena is obesity. In this case, a person suffering from sleep apnea needs to lose this excess weight. Make sure that you stick with a plan that makes sense and combine a low calorie diet with an exercise regimen. Research has proven that reducing the number of carbohydrates one consumes throughout the day helps people in losing weight.
A physician is the best person to ask about which CPAP machine is the right one to use for your specific situation. You should consider the size and volume of the device before you decide to get one. Some machines are very quiet and no bigger than a simple bread box. The doctor will know which manufacturers offer the best machines.
Do you smoke or drink alcoholic beverages? Lose all your bad habits. Your airways are affected by using both of these substances. Smoking will cause your throat to swell, and alcohol will relax it too much. If you must continue with these habits, avoid doing them before bed.
Are you a drinker or a smoker? Take steps to eliminate these unhealthy habits. They may hurt your air passages. 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.
Sleep Apnea
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. Therefore, getting involved with an instrument like this can help you sleep better.
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. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. While quitting these habits may not stop your sleep apnea episodes entirely, you will be healthier overall and save money at the same time.
Children can have sleep apnea. If you find your child is innatentive, always tired or uses their mouth to breath and not their nose, they may suffer from this condition. The symptoms often resemble those of ADHD, but you must consult with your doctor to know for sure.
Children are susceptible to sleep apnea. IF you have a child with sleep apnea you can tell through poor grades, irritability, or hostility. Oftentimes these symptoms cab be associated with ADHD, but first you should consult with your doctor to see if the problem is sleep apnea.
Family history is one thing that doctors use to diagnosis sleep apnea. Your doctor might also choose to study you while you sleep. After studying this information, your doctor may send you to a specialist if necessary.
Don’t underestimate the potential health consequences of sleep apnea. If you suspect you may have it, it is important to see your doctor right away. An official diagnosis will help you figure out if you really do have sleep apnea or not.
It is hard to know whether or not you are having difficulty breathing at night if you sleep alone. One way to see is to set up a video camera to record yourself as you sleep. Whatever video system you set up also need an audio component, since your physicians are going to need to hear the sounds you make.
Sleeping Pills
Take your CPAP along whenever you are embarking on an overnight trip. You don’t want to sleep a single night without your CPAP after a sleep apnea diagnosis. A travel bag with good padding probably came with your machine. This is perfect for taking your CPAP along with you anytime you are away.
Sleeping pills and other drugs are not good solutions if you are having trouble falling asleep. Sleeping pills can interfere with your throats muscles, just like alcohol. Taking sleeping pills can have a negative impact on other health conditions that those with sleep apnea may experience. Consult with your physician on sleep remedies that won’t hinder your breathing.
Don’s sleep on your back if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Most people with sleep apnea habitually sleep through the night on their backs. This causes the throat muscles to collapse, blocking the airway. Try your best to avoid sleeping on your back, and use pillows or something else to keep you on your side.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a doctor after he looks at your family history, medical history, and you have a comprehensive physical exam. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea.
You must get treatment if you have sleep apnea. It will not resolve itself. Depending on what causes your sleep apnea, you may respond to different treatments. Although losing weight is known to reduce sleep apnea symptoms, people who are thin suffer also. There are many options available to help treat this condition, one of which is a CPAP machine. Some people do prefer surgery over any other types of sleep apnea alleviation methods. It doesn’t matter which treatment you get, as long as it is effective for you and helps you find the quality of life you are missing.
You should consult with a medical professional about the more intensive sleep apnea treatments available to you if your symptoms don’t respond to the basic steps you take. If you do not have success with standard treatments, you may have to consider surgery, such as a tonsillectomy or airway enlargement.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is imperative that you stop smoking. This irritation causes narrow air passages that make breathing difficult. There are many effective ways to stop smoking. Getting through the first month is the toughest. Following this, the nicotine dissipates and cravings are reduced.
Hearing that you have sleep apnea is not easy. Luckily, this disorder is treatable. Use the sleep apnea tips you went over in this article and use them to help you. Take care of yourself, get the proper sleep, and take charge of your life.
Spending time exercising your throat muscles may significantly increase the complications of sleep apnea. The cause of sleep apnea is a blockage in the airways which results in a lack of an ability to breathe. Stronger muscles are not as likely to collapse.