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. You’ll find plenty of useful advice for dealing with sleep apnea in this article, and some of the suggestions may prove to be highly beneficial.
Giving up smoking and drinking can help to improve your sleep apnea. These habits can cause airways to relax too much, which can worsen sleep apnea and snoring. Instead of costly surgery or some other medical procedure, losing these bad habits is the best way to save yourself money and address this condition.
One way to fight against sleep apnea is to give up vices. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are a big problem for people who have sleep apnea. Alcohol can put you into a very deep sleep and depress your respiration. Over time, your lungs will be damaged as the result of smoking. Quit both these habits, and you’ll soon notice an improvement in your sleeping patterns.
Shedding some excess pounds is a good idea if you’re overweight. Although it might not be the main cause, being overweight makes sleep apnea worse. If you are obese, lose at least 20 pounds to see if it makes a change for the better with your sleep apnea. It will also help ward off other medical conditions, too.
If you have narrow air passages, consider a mouth guard. A sleep mouth guard will correct the airway and let you breathe correctly all night. Speak with your doctor concerning mouth guards, and have yourself fitted for one, provided your doctor agrees.
Taking up a wind instrument can help to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. A German study has shown that playing wind instruments such as the digeridoo will help your sleep apnea. These particular muscles impact your airway dilation and control how stiff your airway walls get. For this reason, playing regularly helps you get a good night of rest by limiting the symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring.
A physician is the best person to ask about which CPAP machine is the right one to use for your specific situation. The size of the machine and the loudness are both things that need to be considered. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. The physician should know which companies have the best machines.
It’s necessary to use a CPAP machine for four hours each night if your doctor has prescribed one for your sleep apnea. Many people find it very difficult to feel comfortable using a CPAP to go to sleep. Keep in mind your CPAP device should be used at least four hours per night for it to help you. As you become more accustomed to the sleep mask, you should be able to wear it longer.
Do you light up or knock some back every day? Rid yourself of those bad habits. Smoking irritates your air passages, making them narrow. Alcohol use will lead to over-relaxation of your airways, making sleep apnea symptoms worse, while smoking can have a similar effect by constricting them. Avoid second-hand smoke and do not drink immediately before going to bed.
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. Sleeping on your back does not allow enough air to get into your airways. Make a point of falling to sleep on your side and see if that doesn’t alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms tonight.
If you are obese, start a weight loss program. Sleep apnea and obesity are often tied together. Therefore, if you are obese, a loss of just 25 pounds can cause a major improvement in your apnea symptoms.
It’s vital that you don’t use any type of sleeping pill when you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleeping pills can make it so your airways don’t function correctly. These can cause more harm than good, even if you just want to get to bed sooner.
Get fitted for a specialty made mouth guard. These special guards are designed to help people who suffer with sleep apnea. This is something that works well instead of using a CPAP, and it’s more comfortable. It keeps your air passageways wide open and clear by stabilizing your throat and holding it in the proper position.
Try to sleep on a regular schedule if you have sleep apnea. Your regular sleeping patterns already suffer due to your condition. Try your best to get a regular sleep pattern after you find out you have sleep apnea, this will help your overall health improve. The first change you should make is setting a specific time to go to sleep and wake up each day.
Normally sleep apnea is diagnosed after getting a physical exam, but it also helps to study your family’s medical history to see if it’s prevalent among your relatives. Your PCP may ask for a sleep study to be done by a sleep specialist.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, get your allergy and sinus problems treated. You might have trouble breathing during the night because of sleep apnea. You don’t need to deal with anything that will affect your breathing when you sleep. Addressing nasal problems ensures you a better chance at sleeping from dusk until dawn problem-free.
Sleep Apnea
A good nasal spray can be helpful if you are having trouble breathing. You can experience a few nights of untroubled sleep using such a product. Avoid using nasal sprays over a long period of time; your mucus membranes could become damaged and irritated. You should go to your pharmacy and explore different options to keep your nose open while you sleep.
Sleeping pills are bad to take for people with sleep apnea. You could seriously damage your air passage ways if you take them while you have sleep apnea. Find other ways to solve your troubles with staying asleep, because sleep apnea mixed with sleeping pills can be a potentially life-threatening mix.
Cut down on your chances of developing sleep apnea. However, there are risk factors which aren’t changeable, such as being a male or that the condition is prevalent in your family. Some other risk factors should be changed, such as drinking too much, smoking or weighing too much.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and intend to travel at all, make sure you bring you CPAP in the luggage. It is important that you always have the machine, even if you feel it is an inconvenience. Your machine should include a padded travel bag. This will help ease transporting your CPAP machine if you must be away.
Do not lay on your back to sleep if you have a sleep apnea condition. A common sleeping position for most people suffering from sleep apnea is on their backs. As a result, it’s easy for airways to get blocked. Prop yourself up on your side with a pillow or cushions.
Take your CPAP anywhere you go, even if you make a trip 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. It will be much simpler to continue using a CPAP machine in the hospital if you don’t have to deal with unfamiliar equipment.
Stop smoking as soon as you find out you have sleep apnea. Smoking causes swelling in the upper airway, which makes sleep apnea worse. Common ways to quit smoking include smoking cessation programs and nicotine replacement products, such as gums. The hardest period for the majority of smokers is the initial 30 days upon quitting. Beyond that, it becomes easier as your body detoxes from the nicotine.
Quit smoking if you suffer from sleep apnea. Smoking causes the upper air passages to swell up, which causes sleep apnea to be more debilitating. Try out nicotine patches or gum to get rid of your sleep apnea. The first month is the hardest part. Beyond that, it becomes easier as your body detoxes from the nicotine.
You should not be embarrassed of your diagnosis or your CPAP machine. You will need to quickly get used to using it front of those who are closest to you. If the people around you give you trouble regarding the use of your machine, you may need a better group of friends.
You can do tongue exercises to help minimize sleep apnea symptoms. For three minutes, press your tongue up to the roof of your mouth. This should strengthen both your tongue and throat muscles, which helps them to not relax while you’re asleep.
Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse. Having a proper sleep position is necessary. Attempt to use pillows or foam wedges to help you stay in a good position to sleep in. If you have an adjustable bed, raise the head by several inches for the best position.
Playing a wind instrument can be helpful for sleep apnea. It exercises your throat muscles and strengthens your lungs while stimulating your mind and providing relaxation. Making these muscles stronger reduces sleep apnea symptoms.
When going on long trips, inform the airline that you need to take your CPAP machine if you use one. As long as you let them know ahead of time, many airlines will make an effort to seat you in an area where you can use your machine. If you’re flying with a non-domestic carrier, make sure you have the appropriate power adapters for your machine.
Cpap Machine
Your sleep apnea might be easily solved with a simple solution. Set up a regular bedtime for yourself and go to sleep each night at around the same time. Keeping your bedroom environment as conducive to healthy, undisturbed sleep as possible is very important. If it is uncomfortable, you might not be able to fall asleep.
Try not to feel embarrassed by your CPAP machine. Inform those that need to know about it, and don’t feel uncomfortable using your CPAP around those close to you. They want you healthy. Keep in mind that using your CPAP machine is in your best interest, and if anyone makes fun of you, you should probably find better friends.
Take action and find a treatment for your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be potentially dangerous if it left untreated. Suffering from sleep apnea will take a toll on your health and ability to deal with difficult situations.
Most of the time sleep apnea causes anxiety, and if this is bothering you, then consider a nice warm bath before going to bed each night. A hot bath will reduce your tension and make you feel more relaxed. As a result, sleep is likely to come easier, and you are more likely to get a solid night of rest instead of one interrupted constantly by apnea flare-ups.
Communicate with your doctor before and after you get a sleep apnea diagnosis. Your doctor can give you the benefit of his or her medical expertise and help guide you towards the best treatments for your problem. You should go back to the doctor after you have tried any new treatment for a month so you can discuss how well it is working for you.
People suffering from sleep apnea are well advised not to sleep on their backs. Sleeping while flat on your back often results in airway constriction, reducing the amount of sleep you get. Pillows may assist you in side sleeping.
Those with sleep apnea shouldn’t drink alcohol before bed. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat and may put you into a very deep sleep. If you like to drink alcoholic beverages, you just need to remember not to do so right before you go to sleep.
It can be overwhelming to find out you have sleep apnea. Fortunately, it can be treated simply and effectively. Put the advice about sleep apnea you have read here to work for you starting tonight. You can have a perfectly healthy life when properly treating your sleep apnea.
If the source of your sleep apnea condition is having too much throat tissue, the only way to treat the problem may be surgery. A method called UPPP is used to remove the tissue and enlarge the airway. Also know that during this procedure they will most likely remove your tonsils.
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