What To Know When Struggling With Apnea.

What To Know When Struggling With Apnea.

If you suspect that you suffer from sleep apnea, it's imperative that you step up to find out if you have it and get treatment started if you do. Getting insufficient sleep on a regular basis can cause all sorts of problems, and may even put you in danger. The following information will help you get a good night's sleep even if you have sleep apnea. If you are dealing with sleep apnea and you're a smoker and drinker, you should quit now to help improve the symptoms of this condition. Snoring and apnea are common occurrences for those with these habits because they relax the muscles in the airway. Unlike costly surgeries or other medical interventions, dropping these habits will actually save you money.

Sleep Apnea

Playing music on a wind instrument can be beneficial to your sleep apnea problems. Some studies have shown that an instrument like the didgeridoo can help you improve the muscles in your throat. These muscles control the dilation of your airway and the stiffening of the airway walls. So, if you play this instrument on a daily basis, it will help to limit the sleep apnea symptoms which in turn will give you a good night's sleep. Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Drinking and smoking are a couple of the biggest concerns. Drinking can overly relax your respiratory system and may cause breathing problems. Cigarettes can hurt your lungs, possibly even causing lung cancer. These are both habits which can make sleep apnea worse. Do not consume as much alcohol as you used to. Alcohol has a relaxing effect on all your muscles. Although many people desire this side-effect of alcohol, it is not beneficial to people with sleep apnea. Like the rest of your muscles, those around your throat and airway relax under the influence of alcohol, making it harder for you to maintain a proper air passage. If you absolutely have to have a drink, don't do as much as you used to. And avoid having one close to bedtime. One of the reasons many people suffer from sleep apnea is because they are carrying excessive weight. Losing weight may help to greatly reduce sleep apnea symptoms in many patients. They should follow a sensible weight loss plan, usually involving a restricted calorie diet combined with exercise. Some studies have also shown that limiting your carbohydrate intake can help. Don't underestimate the potential health consequences of sleep apnea. If you suspect that you or a loved one has it, it's important to make an appointment with a physician to talk to them about it soon. After the diagnosis, you may be asked to take a sleep test, either at home or at a facility that specializes in sleep disorder testing. Do not neglect your CPAP machine if it has been prescribed to you. Sometimes it is hard for people to get used to the CPAP. If this is the case with you, try a different mask. That is often the source of the discomfort. Just use it as much as possible and you'll get used to using it after a couple of weeks. Sleep apnea generally is diagnosed by studying your medical and family history and having a thorough physical exam. Also, your doctor may want to try a sleep study on you. Depending on the results, you may be referred to a specialist. Sleeping by yourself can keep you from knowing if you have the symptoms of sleep apnea. Or you can record yourself as you sleep to look at your sleeping patterns. The video should also contain audio in order to hear the noises that occur while you're sleeping. Try using a chin strap if your mouth falls open when you sleep while using a CPAP each night. The chin strap is a fabric strap that supports your chin to keep your mouth shut. CPAP can't work with an open mouth, so try using this device to fix the issue. It is important that you get enough sleep every night. When you get ready to go to bed tonight, take a moment to review this article and use some of the tips contained therein to help get a handle on this serious problem. If you use a CPAP machine and have sleep apnea, make certain to always have medical ID on your person. This is particularly important if you have an accident and require overnight hospitalization. The ID needs to include all of the medical information pertaining to your CPAP use.