Tips On How To Get Over Sleep Apnea

Tips On How To Get Over Sleep Apnea

Lots of people lose sleep at night without realizing that they have a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is a disorder that can be the culprit, because it obstructs your airways while you sleep. If you are not continually getting restful sleep, then it may be that you are suffering with sleep apnea. One way to fight against sleep apnea is to give up vices. In particular, alcohol and cigarettes are bad for you. Drinking relaxes your airway to prevent proper breathing. Smoking, of course, causes both long and short term damage to your lungs and airways, as well as putting you at risk for cancer. Letting these habits go can reduce your symptoms and make sleeping easier. Talk to your doctor about a CPAP device if your sleep apnea is severe. Not all machines are alike, and you may need one that has a humidifier or a certain type of pressure. A machine to get you through the night is better than feeling fatigued every day. Your doctor will be familiar with them, so be sure to tap his knowledge. 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

Avoid drinking much alcohol. Alcohol naturally relaxes your muscles. Although many users find this to be one of the benefits of drinking, it tends to make the effects of sleep apnea much more serious. If you are sleeping and have been drinking too close to bedtime, this can be a dangerous combination while you are asleep. While it's not vital that alcohol be avoided 100%, do what you can to make sure you do not drink it before a nap or nighttime sleep. Speak with your doctor about getting a mouth guard that will help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea. You may have a naturally narrow breathing passage, small jaw or recessed chin that can amplify the effects of sleep apnea. There are a number of different devices to correct for these issues. Simply aligning your jaw may be all that is necessary. Children are susceptible to sleep apnea. When you notice that your child wakes up tired each day, is hard to wake up in the morning, is angry or rude or their grades are suffering at school, poor sleep due to sleep apnea could be the culprit. Such symptoms may mimic ADHD, so discuss the matter with your family physician and consider the possibility that your child has sleep apnea. If you are fat, become thinner. There are many studies that link sleep apnea to obesity. Consequently, it is therefore possible that losing just twenty-five pounds could result in a dramatic improvement of your sleep apnea symptoms if you are currently suffering from obesity. Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a medical exam and consideration of your and your family's medical history. 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. Some people believe that you can strengthen you upper airway muscles by playing a musical instrument belonging to the woodwind family. Researchers in Germany found that playing a didgeridoo can train and strengthen the muscles of the upper airway. These muscles are the key to dilation of the air passage and proper breathing as we sleep. This is why playing this instrument regularly will help strengthen these muscles, and reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Try using a nasal spray for an irritated nose. It may offer a couple nights of relief. It's important to follow the instructions for usage, as these sprays should be used temporarily, not permanently Visit your local pharmacist to learn which nasal sprays you can pick from.

Sleep Apnea

Try losing weight to deal with your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is common to those that have large necks or that are overweight. When you lose weight it takes a lot of the pressure off of your airways and allows you to breathe more easily when you sleep. Be sure to eat well and maintain a proper weight to help control your sleep apnea. Changing from a poor diet to a healthy one can transform your sleep apnea symptoms. Research has proven that those who consume low quality food demonstrate more severe sleep apnea than even overweight folks who eat healthy. You should never smoke if you are dealing with sleep apnea. Smoking causes swelling in the upper airway, which makes sleep apnea worse. In order to stop smoking you should think about a cessation program or one of those nicotine replacement therapies. The first month is pretty tough for most people, but it gets better. The strength of the cravings will then decrease as the nicotine begins to leave your system. Do not consume as much alcohol as you used to. Alcohol is a natural muscle relaxant. You might like the feeling, but it can contribute to or cause sleep apnea. Your throat muscles may be affected, causing breathing difficulties. If you absolutely have to have a drink, don't do as much as you used to. And avoid having one close to bedtime. Strengthening your throat muscles can be very effective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms as well. The labored breathing common in sleep apnea is usually caused when the soft tissues of the throat collapse and obstruct the airway. As the muscles become stronger, they will be less likely to collapse and block the airways. Even children can suffer from sleep apnea. If you find your child is innatentive, always tired or uses their mouth to breath and not their nose, they may suffer from this condition. Sometimes parents mistakenly think these symptoms have to do with something like ADHD, and it is best that you talk to your child's doctor to find the true culprit. If you are going on a long plane trip, call the airline you will be traveling with to ensure that you can bring your CPAP machine on the plane. Almost every airline company will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs. Be sure to bring along a power adapter when using a foreign airline.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can cause psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety. If you suffer from such symptoms, run a bath before you go to sleep each night. Soaking in a warm bath relaxes your muscles and reduces your stress. It is likely that you will fall asleep more easily and rest more soundly, offering the potential for minimizing apnea symptoms as a result. Sleeping pills are not the answer if sleep apnea is your problem. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. The medication can be very dangerous, even fatal, if you suffer from sleep apnea. Remember that you might not always catch yourself with sleep apnea every night. However, if you're suffering from drowsiness and exhaustion during the day, it is definitely time to see a doctor. Your symptoms may mean sleep apnea even if you don't know you gasp for air every night. To actually diagnose your disorder, a doctor may require you to take notes in a sleep log. In it, you'll record the number of hours you sleep, as well as any symptoms you have during the night. You can ask your spouse or a family member to let you know you how often you snore at night. That helps the physician determine whether your symptoms are, in fact, sleep apnea. Try not to sleep on your back if you have obstructive sleep apnea. If you sleep on your back, you are sleeping in a position that can block your airways. Sleeping on your side is a much better option when you suffer from this affliction. If you are using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea, be sure to take it when you're going to the hospital. Whether the hospital stay is a planned one or it's just an emergency room visit, always bring along the CPAP machines just in case you need to stay for awhile. While they may have a machine for you to use, your machine is already preset for your specific settings and has the mask you are already accustomed to wearing. You'll be able to resume your CPAP therapy much easier by having these things in the hospital with you. Sleep apnea begins in the throat, and exercising the throat muscles can help prevent apnea. You can learn a bunch of exercises that can help you get rid of sleep apnea. Once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you need to pursue an effective treatment plan so that you can find relief. Sleep is important to living a healthy and successful life. The tips from this article can help you enjoy a better night's sleep so you will be healthier and happier. Many people who sleep on their back typically experience sleep apnea. Should you be one of these, make a change in your sleeping position. It has been shown that the tongue and palate fall toward the back of the throat when people sleep and this can obstruct the airway.