Understanding Sleep Apnea And Learning To Cope

Understanding Sleep Apnea And Learning To Cope

Many people suffering from sleep apnea have sought out effective treatments for them. The first step in treating the problem is to learn as much about it as you can. When you learn the contents of the following paragraphs, you are going to have a greater opportunity of discovering the treatment regimen best suited for you. To help you deal with sleep apnea ask your doctor about how you can deal with it. You need to be aware of the machine's size, as well as how loud it is. Quality CPAP machines are nearly noise-free and easily fit on a bedside table. Your doctor will help you find one that is well made. Using a mouth guard specifically made for sleep apnea sufferers may help you sleep better. This opens up your airways, letting you breathe fully while you sleep. If you think this will help, you should ask your physician to fit you with a mouth guard. Quit drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Both of these bad habits make the airways relax too much, making sleep apnea worse. Avoiding these temptations can put more money back in your pocket, and is a lot more cost effective than expensive surgeries that may no longer be necessary. Do you have a smoking or drinking habit? Break these unhealthy habits right away. They can do bad things to your airways. Alcohol relaxes your airways, making them more prone to collapse, and smoking can cause them to swell, restricting airflow. If it is not possible for you to quit cold turkey, then try not to smoke or drink immediately before bedtime. Do not take sleeping pills if you have sleep apnea. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Having a bad sleep apnea case could make these pills a dangerous option. It may be tempting to use these pills to sleep better, but it's not worth the risk. Quit drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Both of these habits are bad for the muscles in your air passage and can worsen apnea. Unlike those medical interventions or pricey surgeries, eliminating these habits can save you money. Do you travel frequently? If so, then do not forget to bring along your CPAP. When sleep apnea affects you, do not attempt even a single night without your CPAP machine. You were probably provided a padded traveling bag when you got your CPAP machine. You can use this bag to allow you to transport your CPAP machine with ease when you're not home. If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine for you, make sure you use it every night, for at least 4 hours. It can be hard for some people to sleep with the CPAP initially. Good health over the long term is what is important, and you need to build up the amount of time you use it until you can use it throughout the night. If you're struggling to adjust, ensure you're using the CPAP for four hours every single time you go to sleep. Be sure to use just one, normal-sized pillow when you sleep. Using more than one pillow, or one that is too large, can make you sleep in an odd position. This can position you in a way that makes it harder to breathe. Try out different pillows until you find just one pillow that allows you to lay your head flatter against the bed each night so you can breathe more freely.

Sleep Apnea

Think about using nasal spray if your nasal passages are stopped up. Nasal spray can help clear out your airways. Avoid using nasal sprays over a long period of time; your mucus membranes could become damaged and irritated. You should go to your pharmacy and explore different options to keep your nose open while you sleep. Eating right can keep you healthy and well rested. Normally people are quite surprised to learn that unhealthy eating is a major source of their sleep apnea. People who do not eat well, or are overweight, may suffer from sleep apnea. If you use a CPAP device for your sleep apnea, you should look into getting a heated humidifier also. If the air you breathe is moist, you have a higher chance of sleeping better and continuing your CPAP machine application. There are many different CPAP machines that are equipped with built-in humidifiers, so check with your doctor to see if one can be prescribed. Sleep apnea is a serious health condition. If you are experiencing some of the signs associated with this condition, you should consult with your doctor right away. Once you know whether or not you have it for sure, you can figure out how to deal with it. How you sleep influences how many times sleep apnea will strike on a given night. That's why you need to sleep in an optimal position. Use a foam wedge or body pillow to lift your upper body. An even better idea is to lift the top part of the bed by about four inches, if you can. Try to avoid sleeping pills when you're suffering from sleep apnea. Sleeping pills can interfere with your throat muscles and with your airway. The medication can be very dangerous, even fatal, if you suffer from sleep apnea. Many people who have sleep apnea make the mistake of sleeping on their backs. You would be better served by laying on your side during sleep. Sewing a pair of balled up socks or a tennis ball onto the back of your PJs will help prevent rolling over. Doing this will make sleeping on your back very uncomfortable. If you suffer from sleep apnea, have a regular bedtime. Your condition is already messing with your regular sleep cycle every night. You can retain your health and daytime energy and focus by keeping a regular sleep schedule. Go to sleep and wake up at set times each day, even the weekends, for the best results. Try learning how to play a musical instrument. A study shows this can greatly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Mastering this music form means you can retain control of your respiratory system. If nothing is working to better your sleep apnea, try talking to a doctor about more aggressive treatments. A small percentage of patients don't react to the common treatments, and as a result, surgery may be their only option, which includes enlarging the airway or removing the tonsils. You may find that anxiety about your condition worsens the effects of sleep apnea once you know you suffer from it; in this case bathing before you go to sleep may be helpful. A good soak in the bathtub can relax tight muscles and eliminate tension throughout your body. This makes it easier to get to sleep and stay asleep. It also reduces the number of sleep apnea episodes that occur.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea sufferers may need to look for a simple solution in order to get a better night's rest. Give yourself a regular bedtime, and sleep about the same time every night. Be certain you create an environment in your bedroom that is conducive to sleep. Unless you follow your rules, you may lead yourself to more severe apnea attacks or even insomnia. If a person has sleep apnea and is overweight, they can often reduce their symptoms by losing some weight. People who are overweight usually suffer from sleep apnea more. Getting thinner will lower the amount of pressure on your trachea, which means more air will get to your lungs while you sleep. Remember that you may not be aware of your sleep apnea. If you feel exhausted or extremely sleepy during the day or find yourself falling asleep behind the wheel, talk to a doctor immediately. Even if you do not realize it while sleeping, you could have sleep apnea. Of course, for a solid diagnosis of sleep apnea, you must see a doctor. Nonetheless, healthy, self-help techniques may help and won't hurt. Quitting smoking and losing weight are great for anyone, but are even better for sleep apnea patients. Also, stay away from large meals, caffeine and alcohol a few hours before going to sleep. Try not to sleep on your back if you have obstructive sleep apnea. If you sleep on your back, you may constrict your airways, resulting in trouble sleeping. Try side sleeping; if you keep rolling back, use a pillow to prop yourself sideways.

Sleep Apnea

Throat exercises have been shown to help with the symptoms of sleep apnea. You will have stronger muscles in your air passages that can help sleep apnea. One such exercise is to use your tongue and press on the top of your mouth. Maintain this pressure for around three minutes before releasing. Perform this exercise once per day. Every person diagnosed with sleep apnea knows what it is like trying to find a treatment that works for them. The only way to address the health problems and lost sleep caused by this condition is to learn more about it. By following the advice presented here, you can find just the right method of treatment for your sleep apnea. Some sleep apnea sufferers can find relief with a mouth guard, nasal strips or weight loss. Sometimes, a person's jaw is genetically shaped to encourage sleep apnea. When a device to re-align the jaw is used during sleep, more air can be allowed in.