Sleep Apnea: The Deadly Condition You May Never Have Heard Of

Sleep Apnea: The Deadly Condition You May Never Have Heard Of

Sleep apnea is something that people do not know they have a lot of the time. This problem happens when you have a blockage in the airways while asleep and this causes a person to breathe improperly. Continue reading to learn more about this important condition that can potentially take years off your life if it isn't treated. Think about changing a few of your habits to help with your sleep apnea. If you smoke and drink, you are almost sure to suffer from sleep disturbances. Drinking can overly relax your respiratory system and may cause breathing problems. And when you smoke you inhale a bunch of carcinogens that can seriously damage your lungs. Drop as many bad habits as you can as early as possible. A common reason for sleep apnea to occur is increased weight. In these cases, simply losing the extra weight can alleviate the symptoms. The simplest way to take off the weight is to eat fewer calories and engage in daily exercise. It may be worth it to look into diet plans that reduce the amount of carbohydrates that you eat. 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. Research indicates that less nutritious food may exacerbate sleep apnea.

Cpap Machine

Normally sleep apnea is diagnosed after getting a physical exam, but it also helps to study your family's medical history to see if it's prevalent among your relatives. Sleep studies may be included in the equation, and it may be necessary to involve a sleep specialist. Your doctor or a sleep specialist can help you find the CPAP machine that is best suited for your needs and comfort. Take into consideration both the noise and size of the CPAP machine. There are some machines that are quiet and small. A medical professional will be the most knowledgeable guide to the different CPAP machines available. If you suffer from sleep apnea, avoid using sleeping pills. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Sleep medicines can cause more problems and can even be dangerous for people with apnea. In an effort to get a restful night of sleep, sleep on your side if possible. Sleeping on your back does not allow enough air to get into your airways. Try to fall asleep on one of your sides to see if that improves your sleep apnea this evening. When dealing with sleep apnea it is best to keep a regular sleeping schedule. Your regular sleeping patterns already suffer due to your condition. A routine sleep pattern will discourage the condition from getting worse. The best thing you can do is fall asleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each day.

Chin Strap

Use a chin strap with your CPAP each night to prevent your mouth from opening as you sleep. The chin strap holds your chin so that you cannot sleep with your mouth open; it is a tiny piece of fabric. The CPAP only works if the mouth is closed, so try using the strap. Use a chin strap if you find your mouth continuing to fall open while you sleep with a CPAP machine. The chin strap is a fabric strap that supports your chin to keep your mouth shut. If you keep your mouth open your CPAP will not work. Get treatment for your allergies or sinus problems if you have sleep apnea. You might have trouble breathing during the night because of sleep apnea. You don't need to deal with anything that will affect your breathing when you sleep. You will sleep better and have a more open airway if you treat nasal problems. Do not smoke. Smoking swells up your upper airways, which can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. To quit smoking, try a smoking cessation program or use nicotine replacement therapy. The hardest period for the majority of smokers is the initial 30 days upon quitting. The physical cravings should leave your body after four days, and then you should only need to deal with the simple act of finding replacement things to do. If the solutions you have tried are not improving your ability to sleep soundly, then see your doctor to discuss more aggressive options. If you do not have success with standard treatments, you may have to consider surgery, such as a tonsillectomy or airway enlargement. Exercising your tongue can help with your sleep apnea. One simple exercise is to put your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold it there for a couple of minutes. Like other exercises for the body, muscles in the tongue and throat will be strengthened and therefore remain tighter while you sleep. Snoring devices may serve your needs with sleep apnea. Snoring can be a sign that a person has sleep apnea, and a doctor can tell the patient whether one of these oral devices will be of help to them. It is sensible to get a tool that assists with snoring, since it might help with sleep apnea too. This device can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea during the times you are in bed. Start playing wind instruments. This will not only be fun and relaxing, it will also help you excercise the muscles responsible for your breathing control. Strong throat muscles are less likely to contribute to the ill-effects of sleep apnea. Lessen your chances of getting sleep apnea. However, there are risk factors which aren't changeable, such as being a male or that the condition is prevalent in your family. On the other hand, certain risk factors, such as being fat, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol, are entirely under your control.

Cpap Machine

If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not underestimate the power of losing a few pounds. Sometimes, sleep apnea is due to the excess weight around the neck area. Shedding some unnecessary weight can really cut down on the pressure airways receive, which means you get easier air flow and breathing during your sleeping hours. If you're suffering from sleep apnea and have a CPAP machine that you use, see if your doctor can give you a heated humidifier as well. Sticking with a course of CPAP therapy is a lot easier (and your overall sleep quality will be better) if you're getting a supply of air that's properly heated and moisturized. Your physician can help you select a full-featured CPAP machine that includes an on-board humidifier. Speak with your doctor about writing you a prescription for a heated humidifier if you have a CPAP machine to sleep. Moist, warm air can be an effective way to make sure that you use your CPAP machine by making it more comfortable. Many CPAP manufacturers are providing machines with integrated humidifiers, so check with your doctor to see if that is a good option for you. You shouldn't feel embarassed or ashamed about sleep apnea treatments like CPAP therapy. Your friends and family will understand when you explain to them that you suffer from sleep apnea. Remember that the CPAP machine is necessary for your health, and those who love you will not think any differently of you because you need it. Someone who suffers with snoring or sleep apnea should think about taking up a wood instrument. It can be soothing, and it has been found that playing wind instruments calms sleep apnea symptoms. You will be able to better control the air passages. How you position yourself when you lay down for bed can contribute to your issues with sleep apnea. You must figure out which position is best for you. Try taking a foam wedge and using it to raise the top half of your body. This will keep excess tissue and relaxed muscles from blocking your airways. 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 hot tub will alleviate tension and relax your muscles. This helps sleep come easier. You will also sleep more soundly, and hopefully prevent sleep apnea episodes. If you still have sleep apnea, check with your doctor for other treatments.

Sleep Apnea

If you are someone who is dealing with sleep apnea, you should not sleep on your back. When you sleep while laying on your back, your airway can become compressed, preventing a restful night of sleep. You could try sleeping on your side or in a semi-reclining position propped up with pillows. If you are prone to sleep apnea, you should try not to sleep on your back. If you sleep on your back, it frequently leads to airway blockage and can cause sleep apnea. Try to sleep on your side, but if it doesn't come naturally, make sure you prop yourself up on pillows to force yourself on your side each night. Stay in touch with your doctor after you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. Your physician can give you information, tips and suggestions about dealing with the apnea. When you start a new treatment, meet with your doctor a month later to talk about its effectiveness. People who have sleep apnea tend to sleep on their backs. If you are one of these people, try a different sleeping position to get some relief. Sleeping on one side can provide a better night's rest. Don't drink alcohol, particularly right before bed. Alcohol causes your palate and tongue relax toward the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway. It is not necessary for you to totally stop drinking, but you should not have any prior to going to bed. Now that you have a better understanding of sleep apnea, you should feel more optimistic about your sleeping future. You must talk to a doctor for more information, whether you just want to learn more or you think you have it. Make sure you exercise your throat and jaw muscles. Weaknesses in these particular muscle groups can make your sleep apnea much worse, so it's a good idea to learn some targeted exercises to treat them. These exercises may truly help you.