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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Sleep Apnea Advice That Can Work For You

Sleep Apnea Advice That Can Work For You

All sleep disturbances are unpleasant, but sleep apnea can also be dangerous. You do, thankfully, have many options available to you in order to minimize your symptoms and maximize the quality of the sleep you get. Take a look at the information presented below that offers some helpful tips to give you a good night's sleep. You have to get rid of a few vices to get through sleep apnea. Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the primary culprits. Alcohol depresses your nervous system and makes it harder to breathe, particularly when you are asleep. And when you smoke you inhale a bunch of carcinogens that can seriously damage your lungs. When you stop doing these things, your sleep apnea symptoms should be reduced. One of the reasons many people suffer from sleep apnea is because they are carrying excessive weight. In these cases, simply losing the extra weight can alleviate the symptoms. Following a reasonable weight loss plan and exercising is essential. Restricting carbohydrates has shown to be a big help in losing weight. If you want to ease your sleep apnea, it's crucial that you speak with your physician regarding CPAP machines and which is best for you. Among other considerations, inquire about how big the machine is and how noisy it is when it is operating. The newer CPAP machines are much smaller and quieter than earlier ones were. The doctor will know which manufacturers offer the best machines. Talk to your doctor about a CPAP device if your sleep apnea is severe. Factors such as the machine's noise level and its size are important to consider. 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. 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. Unfortunately, adjusting to this device while sleeping can be hard for some people. However, in order to be effective, the CPAP has to be used for four hour every night. You'll be comfortable using it on a regular basis in no time.

Mouth Guard

Eating healthier foods can help you deal with sleep apnea. A lot of people would be surprised to learn that eating badly makes sleep apnea worse. It has been shown through many studies that people who eat a poor diet usually suffer with worse sleep apnea than someone who is just overweight but manages to still eat somewhat healthier. Have a mouth guard made for you. Specially made mouth guards are particularly focused for individuals suffering from sleep apnea. It provides a more comfortable option to using a CPAP machine. The mouth guard keeps your jaw in the proper position and keeps your airway more open. You really should cut down on your alcohol consumption. Your muscles are relaxed by drinking alcohol. That may be something people like when they drink, but it also can 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. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition to have. If you find you have some of the symptoms, talk to a physician as soon as you can. Once you know whether or not you have it for sure, you can figure out how to deal with it. Sleep apnea generally is diagnosed by studying your medical and family history and having a thorough physical exam. You can do sleep studies and the things the doctor finds will guide him on making a decision on what can be done.

Sleep Apnea

Your physician may want you to write in a log or journal about your sleep, in order to check to see if you have sleep apnea. All hours slept or spent awake should be recorded. If you have a partner, they may be able to help document your snoring, jerky body movements and stoppage of breathing. This makes it easier for the doctor to diagnose your condition. Avoid sleeping pills when you suffer from sleep apnea. Pills such as these may cause a relaxation of your throat muscles which causes your airways to not function properly. If you suffer from sleep apnea, the pills could cause disastrous consequences. This is not the solution for getting some sleep. You should take your CPAP machine everywhere you will be spending the night. Do not leave it at home. Once you have your CPAP machine, do not skip using it at any time. You should have a travel bag to bring your CPAP with you. Any time that you need to sleep overnight while traveling, you should keep your CPAP machine in your sleeping quarters. Keep a diary of your sleep habits to show your doctor at your appointment for sleep apnea. You simply log the amount of hours you're sleeping each night, and mentioning other symptoms too. Ask others in your home to let you know if you snored, woke up without realizing it due to your snoring or if you moved a lot in your sleep. This type of data can help your doctor diagnose the issue. Try using devices that help with snoring. Snoring is when you have your airways come to a partial close while air is coming through, while apnea is actually when your airways are closed all the way. One of these devices, therefore, targets both of these situations. Talk to your doctor to find out if one of these devices will truly help you or if you need some other type of treatment instead.

Sleep Apnea

Shedding weight oftentimes is a big help to anyone who is dealing with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is correlated with being fat and having a large neck. Even a modest amount of weight loss can increase air flow and decrease airway pressure. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule if you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleeping at weird hours of the day can worsen your sleep apnea. Try your best to get a regular sleep pattern after you find out you have sleep apnea, this will help your overall health improve. So try and get into bed around the same times every night. You can help lessen the effects of sleep apnea by doing exercises which strengthen the throat muscles. The labored breathing common in sleep apnea is usually caused when the soft tissues of the throat collapse and obstruct the airway. As your strengthen your muscles, you will have more control over them. Get a chin strap to keep your mouth closed when you are sleeping with a CPAP or BIPAP machine. The chin strap will help hold you chin up during the time you are sleep which keeps your mouth closed. The CPAP only works if the mouth is closed, so try using the strap. Play wind instruments. You will get several benefits: learning how to exercise the muscles used in breathing, broadening your intellect, and playing music that you enjoy. Making these muscles stronger reduces sleep apnea symptoms. These days, none of us can afford to go without sleep. You shouldn't bow down to sleep apnea or let it get in your way. These tips can definitely help you. 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 all airlines will accommodate your need for extra space in order for you to use your equipment. Make sure you bring a power adapter if you fly on a foreign airline.

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