Easy Steps On Going About Dealing With Sleep Apnea

Easy Steps On Going About Dealing With Sleep Apnea

You might be trying to weigh out your options when you finally figure out you have sleep apnea. Do you know what is best for you? Keep reading on to find out some great information. If your narrow airways are causing sleep apnea, get a mouth guard designed for sleeping. Mouth guards help you breathe more throughout the night, which will reduce sleep apnea symptoms from arising. Speak with a doctor about using a properly fitted mouth guard. If you have been prescribed a CPAP for sleep apnea, make an honest effort to use it at least four hours a night. It is hard for many patients to become accustomed to using the CPAP. Keep in mind your CPAP device should be used at least four hours per night for it to help you. If it is hard and become difficult to adjust to in the beginning, then ensure you are using it at least four hours a night. Quit smoking and drinking. These habits can affect your airway, which makes sleep apnea and snoring more likely. Giving up these habits can save you a lot of money as compared to expensive surgical procedures that might be needed later if you continue.

Alcohol Causes

Ask your doctor about a corrective mouth piece for your sleep apnea symptoms. If you have a narrow airway, recessed chin or small jaw, it is likely you have amplified sleep apnea effects. You can get a mouthpiece to help you when you are sleeping to get better night's sleep. Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol causes your muscles to relax. You might like the feeling, but it can contribute to or cause sleep apnea. Alcohol causes the throat and tongue muscles to relax, which can make it easier for them to block your airway. If you're not going to give up alcohol, then just don't do it right before bedtime. Aside from the obvious reasons that losing weight is important, if you have sleep apnea, it's vital that you lose weight. Although it might not be the main cause, being overweight makes sleep apnea worse. If you are obese, even shedding 25 pounds can provide a drastic improvement in your symptoms. Sleep apnea generally is diagnosed by studying your medical and family history and having a thorough physical exam. In addition, sleep studies could be performed. Afterwards, depending on the results, your doctor could refer a sleep specialist to you. A sleep specialist is a doctor who treats those with sleep problems. Purchase yourself a mouth guard that is made specifically for your mouth. Guards like these are specifically made for assisting sleep apnea patients. It is a more comfortable alternative to using a CPAP machine. Your airway will stay open wider and the guard will provide added stability for your throat.

Sleep Apnea

If you are using a CPAP machine but having trouble keeping your mouth closed, you should consider using a chin strap. This device keeps your jaw up as you sleep. The CPAP only works if the mouth is closed, so try using the strap. Many doctors ask patients to keep sleep logs to help diagnose sleep apnea. You simply log the amount of hours you're sleeping each night, and mentioning other symptoms too. If you sleep with another person, they'll be able to help you keep track of snoring, interruptions in breathing, or jerking of your limbs. That helps the physician determine whether your symptoms are, in fact, sleep apnea. Losing weight is a simple and proven effective method of decreasing your chances of suffering from sleep apnea. Weight loss alone can be an effective treatment for those with mild sleep apnea. The symptoms of sleep apnea can be greatly reduced by even a relatively minor amount of weight loss as the breathing passages and the throat open up. Make sure your CPAP comes with you when you need to go to the hospital. Be it an intended or emergency room stay, you must always have access to your CPAP and the mask when you suffer from sleep apnea. This is preset to your breathing pressure. In addition, you'll be using the same mask you've been accustomed to using each night. Having your equipment close by will make it easy to continue your treatment and improve your prognosis. Your doctor should make a certain diagnosis of your sleep apnea, but there are ways you can help yourself too. Anyone can enjoy better health from quitting smoking and dropping some unwanted pounds, but anyone afflicted with sleep apnea can really benefit from these lifestyle changes. You will definitely want to stay away from alcohol and caffeine, along with late night heavy meals before going to bed. If you are not getting relief from your sleep apnea treatment methods, consult your physician for more serious options. A lot of people do not do well on some of the treatments, requiring complicated surgeries to enhance their airway. Don't sleep on your back at all if you have sleep apnea. Most people who have sleep apnea are back sleepers, which means that their airways constrict easier. To prevent yourself from rolling over while you sleep, use pillows or cushions. Although professional medical advice is always warranted in treating sleep apnea, you can try out a few treatments on your own, too. A couple of good examples are controlling your weight and quitting smoking. You will definitely want to stay away from alcohol and caffeine, along with late night heavy meals before going to bed. Avoid alcohol when you have sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol can cause your throat to relax which can make sleep apnea worse. Don't drink close to bedtime. This will lessen the chances of alcohol interrupting your sleep.

Sleep Apnea

You should not be embarrassed of your diagnosis or your CPAP machine. Your friends and family will understand when you explain to them that you suffer from sleep apnea. Undergoing CPAP therapy is an important step in preserving your overall health; don't let inappropriate social pressure prevent you from getting the treatment you need. Sleep apnea patients should not sleep on their backs. Most people who have sleep apnea are back sleepers, which means that their airways constrict easier. To prevent yourself from rolling over while you sleep, use pillows or cushions. Use meditation, warm baths and massages to help you relieve stress and reduce anxiety-induced sleep apnea. A good soak in the bathtub can relax tight muscles and eliminate tension throughout your body. Due to this effect, you can sleep easier and more comfortably without getting interrupted by apnea. Anyone with sleep apnea needs treatment, as it won't disappear by itself. Some things work for people and some do not. Treatment options vary depending on the cause. One person will find relief by stopping the habit of smoking and drinking. Another person may find that losing weight is their solution. Although surgery may be required to relieve your sleep apnea, many non-surgical options are available. Some people find that they do best by having surgery that will help alleviate their symptoms. Regardless of the method you use, obtaining some type of treatment is essential to living a higher quality of life with this condition. Keep in mind that you won't always notice your sleep apnea at night. You should tell your doctor about any symptoms of fatigue, drowsiness or nodding off while driving. These symptoms are indicative of sleep apnea, even when you do not know how many times you wake up at night gasping for air. Educating yourself is the first step to empowering yourself. When you know what you can do to combat sleep apnea you can apply it to live better. The advice in the article below can give you a place to begin to learn more. If you suspect that you are afflicted with sleep apnea, then you need to schedule a visit to your physician to know for sure. Such a test can both diagnose the presence of sleep apnea and determine to what extent you're afflicted with it. There are a variety of options out there to treat your specific situation, and it is vital that you take all levels of sleep apnea seriously.