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

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

Do you wonder why you don't feel well rested even when you sleep for the recommended 7+ hours each night? If you have been unable to find a cause, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. If you believe that you do, there is no need for worry, simply read through this useful article! Overweight people are more prone to suffering from sleep apnea. The obvious solution is to lose the excess weight. The simplest way to take off the weight is to eat fewer calories and engage in daily exercise. Reducing carbs in the diet may also help. There are some bad habits that should be stopped because they make sleep apnea worse. Two of the most common offenders are drinking and smoking. The muscle-relaxing effects of alcohol are very hard on the whole respiratory system and lead to significant breathing problems. Inflammation and narrowing of the air passages is extremely dangerous for those who suffer from sleep apnea. If you can give up these bad habits, you'll see a significant reduction in your sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep mouth guards can benefit you if you suffer from sleep apnea. A sleep mouth guard will correct the airway and let you breathe correctly all night. Ask your doctor about sleep mouth guards, and get fitted for one if you believe this could be the right solution for you. If you want real assistance with sleep apnea at night, talk to a physician about the optimal CPAP machine for you. Size and noise are both things to factor into your decision. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. Your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction of a capable machine. A physician is the best person to ask about which CPAP machine is the right one to use for your specific situation. You should take the size and potential to make noise into consideration. A machine to get you through the night is better than feeling fatigued every day. Your doctor will likely have a preferred brand or type of CPAP to recommend to you. Do you smoke and drink? Rid yourself of those bad habits. These substances can really harm your airways. When you smoke you can harm your lungs, and it can be hard for you to breathe at night. Alcohol has a similarly negative effect. If you are unable to walk away from these habits forever, at least avoid them prior to sleeping. 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. As an added benefit, keep in mind that ditching these bad habits will put extra money back into your pocket, whereas extensive medical treatments will cost you a great deal.

Sleep Apnea

Some people give up using the CPAP machine they have been prescribed and this is not a good move. Use it for at least four hours each night, until you become used to it in full. Some individuals have a lot of trouble getting used to CPAP masks in their sleep. However, it won't be effective if you don't use it every day. Just use it as much as possible and you'll get used to using it after a couple of weeks. Speak with your doctor about treating your sleep apnea with a dental mouth piece. There may be genetic reasons you suffer from sleep apnea. Your airway may be naturally thin or your jaw may interfere with breathing during sleep. You will get better rest if you use specialty devices to position yourself and align your jaw properly while sleeping. Don't take sleeping pills if you can avoid it. Sleeping pills can interfere with your throats muscles, just like alcohol. Sleeping pills also worsen many other effects dangerous to sleep apnea sufferers. Consult your physician to find out about possible ways to get to sleep to faster that won't react poorly with your sleep apnea. Slim down if you're heavy. Studies have found a correlation between sleep apnea and obesity. Alternatively, if you shed twenty five pounds you can see a tremendous improvement in the symptoms of sleep apnea, especially if you are dealing with obesity. Keep a regular sleeping schedule to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea. Apnea disrupts your sleep patterns already. Any steps you take to improve your overall sleep habits will help deal with the symptoms of your condition and minimize the impact it has. Setting regular times for both going to sleep and waking up is the most important thing to do. If you have sleep apnea, consider learning how to play a wind instrument. In Germany, research has been done that suggests playing the didgeridoo will train the muscles of the upper airway. These muscles are responsible for opening and closing your airway, as well as controlling the stiffness of the airway. Because of this, playing it regularly can help you breathe better when you sleep. Always bring your CPAP along whenever you travel. It is important that you always have the machine, even if you feel it is an inconvenience. Most CPAP machines have convenient and durable carrying cases. Any time that you need to sleep overnight while traveling, you should keep your CPAP machine in your sleeping quarters.

Sleep Apnea

Take your CPAP device with you when you are going to the hospital. If the hospitalization was planned or for an emergency, you should still be sure that your CPAP and your mask are brought with you to be used while you're there. Your mask has been fitted to you or maybe you have a special humidifier attached to your mask that a hospital won't have. You'll be able to resume your CPAP therapy much easier by having these things in the hospital with you. Eating healthy foods consistently can reduce your weight and sleep apnea symptoms. A lot of people are amazed at how a poor diet negatively affects sleep apnea. People who do not eat well, or are overweight, may suffer from sleep apnea. If you suffer from sleep apnea, make sure to get sinus and allergy problems treated. This condition makes sleeping troublesome. The last thing you need is something else causing you difficulty breathing during your sleep. Keeping your airway free and clear by treating your nasal problems gives you a much better chance of sleeping through the night without problems. Do you feel better prepared to deal with sleep apnea? You will sleep much better if you put what you've learned in this article into practice. Keep in mind that you may not see the results of your efforts as quickly as you'd like. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will notice positive changes soon. If you're not finding that anything is helping with your sleep apnea condition, talking to a doctor about various treatment options is recommended. If less invasive treatments do not work, it is sometimes necessary to perform surgical procedures such as adenoid and tonsil removal and/or airway enlargement.