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Sleep Apnea: What Is It And What Can You Do About It?

The information in this article may be very helpful to patients suffering from sleep apnea. Although sleep apnea can have horrible health consequences if it is left untreated, with proper treatments the disorder can be properly managed. Carefully study the sleep apnea health tips and advice contained in this article and apply them to your life.

One way to fight against sleep apnea is to give up vices. In particular, alcohol and cigarettes are bad for you. Drinking can overly relax your respiratory system and may cause breathing problems. Smoking damages the lungs. You will notice a decrease in sleep apnea symptoms by quitting these habits.

To help with your sleep apnea, you need to consult with your doctor about the best CPAP machine to use. You should consider the size and volume of the device before you decide to get one. Quality CPAP machines are nearly noise-free and easily fit on a bedside table. A medical professional will be the most knowledgeable guide to the different CPAP machines available.

Being overweight can be a cause of sleep apnea. So if you have sleep apnea, and you are overweight, then try to shed some of those extra pounds. Follow a strict diet and exercise regimen for awhile to see if this makes a difference. Restriction of carbohydrates is shown to help those wanting to shed pounds.

Sleep Apnea

A mouth guard for use while you sleep can help you deal with sleep apnea, even if your airways are naturally narrow. Through the use of a mouth guard, airways will be kept open. Speak with your doctor concerning mouth guards, and have yourself fitted for one, provided your doctor agrees.

Did you know that sleep apnea can afflict children? If you child seems to be distracted in class, cannot focus, and is breathing through his mouth, then he may have sleep apnea. Such symptoms may mimic ADHD, so discuss the matter with your family physician and consider the possibility that your child has sleep apnea.

Are nicotine and alcohol a part of your life? If the answer is yes and you have sleep apnea, you need to stop both habits. Both have a negative influence on your air passages. Smoking swells up your airways while alcohol relaxes them. Both of these things can result in sleep apnea. Eliminate drinking or smoking before bedtime if you can’t avoid them entirely.

Try to avoid sleeping pills. In the same way that alcohol does, sleeping pills over-relax throat muscles. They may also have other negative effects as well. Stress relief through meditation or exercise can also help you fall asleep safely.

Ask your doctor for a mouth piece to help alleviate your apnea issues. You might have a narrow breathing passage, recessed chin, or small jaw naturally that can worsen sleep apnea. Corrective devices can improve your jaw alignment at night and increase your rest quality.

Sleep in a prone position. Most people who have sleep apnea realize that they have been sleeping on their back too much. Sleeping on your back can cause the tissues in your mouth and throat to block your airway. It’s easier to breathe when looking to the side. A large body pillow can help keep you from rolling to your back in the middle of the night.

It’s best to lay on your side to sleep when you have sleep apnea. Most people who have sleep apnea realize that they have been sleeping on their back too much. Your airway can become obstructed if you sleep on your back. Side-sleeping can improve your breathing. If you tend to lay on your back while sleeping, prop yourself on your side using pillows.

Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a medical exam and consideration of your and your family’s medical history. 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.

If you sleep alone, you might have a hard time determining if you suffer from sleep apnea. To gather evidence a physician can evaluate, record yourself sleeping through the night. Make sure you include the audio, so your doctor can hear what sounds you make.

Try not to sleep on your back if you are prone to sleep apnea. Most apnea patients are “back sleepers”, making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. Use cushions or pillows to keep yourself lying on your side at night.

Establish a sleep routine if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Your regular sleeping patterns already suffer due to your condition. Do what you can to establish a regular pattern to improve your health and feel less tired. The most important adjustment to make is to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Learning a wind instrument is recommended as a treatment for sleep apnea. It is a great hobby, and it will help you exercise weak muscles to help you breathe at night. When these muscles get trained and stronger, your sleep apnea will start subsiding and maybe even go away entirely over time.

If you are using a CPAP machine but having trouble keeping your mouth closed, you should consider using a chin strap. This strap is a small strip of material that holds up your chin while you sleep, thus keeping your mouth closed. Your CPAP machine cannot function properly if your mouth hangs open. Using a chin strap may help.

Cpap Machine

Sleep with just a single, average-sized pillow each night. When you sleep on a pile of pillows, or one extremely thick pillow, your chin is pushed down toward your neck and restricts your air flow. It will make breathing harder than it needs to be. Because of this you should only use one pillow for easier sleeping.

If you currently are using a CPAP machine for sleeping, ask your general practitioner to prescribe a humidifier that is heated as well. Warm, moist air will help keep you asleep comfortably. If you think you may need to use a humidifier in conjunction with your CPAP machine, talk to your doctor first.

While you should always see your doctor to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are self-help options you could try. Losing weight and stopping smoking are always good, but are especially so for those who suffer from sleep apnea. You should also refrain from consuming alcohol, heavy meals, and caffeine for a few hours before bed.

Try not to feel embarrassed by your CPAP machine. Be forthright about your need for it, and don’t worry about having to use it around other people. You have to use your CPAP machine or else you might not get a solid night’s rest, so everyone you know should understand.

Don’t sleep facing upwards if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Most apnea sufferers are chronic back sleepers and this position leads to a collapse of the soft tissue in the throat and blocks the air passage. Try using a pillow or some cushions to keep yourself propped on your side when you are in bed.

Make sure you remember that you aren’t going to always notice sleep apnea during the night. Consult your physician if you show symptoms like having difficulty staying awake behind the wheel or severe exhaustion that surprises you. They may indeed point to sleep apnea, even if you aren’t aware that you are waking up gasping for air during the night.

Start playing wind instruments. It exercises your throat muscles and strengthens your lungs while stimulating your mind and providing relaxation. Strengthening these muscles can help you better control them when sleeping, which can lessen apnea symptoms.

If you are prone to sleep apnea, you should try not to sleep on your back. If you sleep on your back, you are sleeping in a position that can block your airways. Try side sleeping. If it does not seem natural to you, prop yourself using pillows.

Speak with your doctor about adding a heated humidifier to your routine use of a CPAP machine for treatment of sleep apnea. If the air you breathe is moist, you have a higher chance of sleeping better and continuing your CPAP machine application. Try and get a CPAP machine that has a humidifier built into it; your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, consider being fitted for a corrective oral device. The reason for this is that jaws vary in shape and size, and some configurations may cause narrowing of the airways. More air can enter the airway if a corrective device is used to reposition the jaw.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, it may be time to visit your doctor and schedule a sleep test. This test will determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe your condition is. The following step would be identifying a treatment regimen, even for milder cases.

When you wake up gasping for breath, your body is not getting a steady supply of oxygen. An extended lack of oxygen can lead to a fatal event. Oxygen levels are lower at these elevations which would make it even tougher to breath. Therefore, aim to sleep at a lower elevation if possible.

Sleep apnea is an issue with throat muscles, which means strengthening them will help ease symptoms. If you want to learn exercises that can make your throat stronger, do a little research; there are plenty available.

Playing a wind instrument can help you strengthen your throat muscles. It doesn’t matter which instrument that you choose, any of them will make a positive change in your muscles. When you play these instruments, you learn about air control and exercising the muscles in your airway, making them stronger. You can really train your muscles to be strong with a bit of training.

Don’t drink too close to bedtime if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat and may put you into a very deep sleep. It is not necessary to quit drinking cold turkey, but you should ensure you don’t drink any alcohol immediately before you hit the sheets.

Clearly, sleep apnea can cause many serious health problems if it is not attended to properly. If you have sleep apnea, you should realize that you need to gain more knowledge about why. By going over the information in the above article, then incorporating them into your daily life, you give yourself the best chance at successfully dealing with your sleep apnea.

If you suspect sleep apnea afflicts you, make sure to have a formal diagnosis made by a doctor. The condition is too serious to make assumptions about. Talk to your physician, and establish a medical treatment plan.

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About The Author

Written by
Kathy Berry

Kathy Berry is professional surveillance camera experts, understand more than 1,000 surveillance cameras, and have a wealth of surveillance camera related knowledge

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