Sleep Apnea Tips That Are Proven To Work

Sleep Apnea Tips That Are Proven To Work

It can be overwhelming to hear your doctor inform you that you are afflicted with sleep apnea. What you must understand is that sleep apnea isn't uncommon. The information below provides some excellent sleep apnea tips that will help you. Losing some harmful vices to fight off sleep apnea. If you drink and smoke, you need to quit now. Drinking relaxes your airway to prevent proper breathing. When you smoke, you fill your lungs with carcinogens and cause severe damage. Dropping both these habits entirely will help ease the symptoms of sleep apnea. If your doctor prescribes a mouth guard, make sure it is properly fitted. These guards are designed for patients with sleep apnea. It is a more comfortable alternative to using a CPAP machine. Invest into a mouth guard instead of having a loud machine keep others up at night. Do you smoke or drink? If the answer is yes and you have sleep apnea, you need to stop both habits. Both have a negative influence on your air passages. Smoking swells up your airways while alcohol relaxes them. Both of these things can result in sleep apnea. If it is not possible for you to quit cold turkey, then try not to smoke or drink immediately before bedtime.

Sleep Apnea

You may be able to address your sleep apnea by simply changing from back sleeping to side sleeping. Sleeping on your back can obstruct your airways and cause apnea. If you have trouble staying off your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas to help you stay on your side. You may see a big difference in the quality of your sleep. Many people don't realize that sleep apnea is not something to ignore and can be potentially dangerous if left untreated. If you find you have some of the symptoms, talk to a physician as soon as you can. Then, if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can talk with a specialist and even use a sleep monitor to understand the severity. Sleep on your side as much as possible. Some sleep apnea patients lay on their backs. The tissue in your throat and mouth can wind up obstructing your air passage when you sleep on your back. Sleep on your side to keep your airways straight. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try propping yourself up with pillows. If you want to beat your apnea and get a healthy dose of sleep, roll onto your side the next time you go to sleep. When you sleep on your back, the airways get obstructed due to the throat and nasal passages being more prone to obstruction. Try to fall asleep in a side position, and discover if that relieves your sleep apnea tonight. Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a doctor after he looks at your family history, medical history, and you have a comprehensive physical exam. There are hundreds of studies that show sleep apnea has effected many families together, and this might be something that you cannot escape.

Sleep Apnea

Take your CPAP device with you when you are going to the hospital. Whether you have a planned hospitalization or you need to go to the emergency room, you should have your CPAP and mask available for use while you are there. Since the settings are already set to what you're used to, and the mask that you use each night is there, it makes it much easier to use at the hospital. Doing so will make your hospitalization easier because you can continue to do your CPAP therapy. Do not take sleeping pills if you have sleep apnea. You may find these pills are causing your muscles in your throat to relax and this obstructs your airways. 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. Stick to one regular pillow for sleeping on at night. Using more than one pillow, or one that is too large, can make you sleep in an odd position. You'll be resting in such a way that makes breathing difficult. One standard pillow is all you need to avoid having this happen. Adding a chin strap to your CPAP routine can help to keep your mouth closed as you sleep. This inconspicuous piece of cloth will keep your chin up when you are asleep and your mouth from gaping open. If you have your mouth open CPAP therapy isn't going to work, so give this device a try to find out if it works. If nasal dryness or congestion is an issue, try a nasal spray. This product will clear excess mucus and from your airways, and some formulas reduce inflammation. Do not use nasal spray over long periods of time: this could damage your nose and cause irritation. Take a trip to the local pharmacy to see what they have available to help with keeping your nose open when you're sleeping. If you use a CPAP, then ensure a medical ID is carried with you at all times. If you are in need of medical attention, it is important that the people helping you realize you have sleep apnea and use CPAP therapy. Your ID should clearly state all information relevant to your sleep apnea, including what pressure level setting you use for your CPAP. Try using devices that help with snoring. Excessive snoring occurs whenever your airways are only partially opened where a minimum amount of air can pass through. On the other hand, sleep apnea occurs whenever your airways are closed up completely with no passing through. If you can reduce the snoring, it is possible you can keep your airways open. Anti-snoring devices can help to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms as you rest. 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. The machine that you bring will help you find comfort at the hospital because it is the one you always use. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier. Mitigate the risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can run in the family, and that is one factor that can't be changed. Some other risk factors should be changed, such as drinking too much, smoking or weighing too much. Don't use more than one standard pillow. Over-sized pillows may lead to you sleeping in an unhealthy position. This makes you sleep in a way that makes it hard 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. Your doctor should make a certain diagnosis of your sleep apnea, but there are ways you can help yourself too. Everyone can benefit from getting thinner or quitting smoking, but this goes double for those suffering from sleep apnea. Coffee, caffeine and alcohol should also be avoided before bed.

Sleep Apnea

Stop smoking for relief from sleep apnea. It can cause your upper airways to start swelling, which can make your sleep apnea worse. If you are struggling to quit, join a program, or try using nicotine-replacement therapy, such as patches. Many people find the first month to be the hardest. After that, it gets easier, because the nicotine addiction is gone. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea might want to consider losing weight as a means to relieve the symptoms. If a person has a neck circumference of 17 inches or more, they are more likely to develop sleep apnea. If you shed some pounds you will see that your airways will not be as constricted. Some great tongue exercises can reduce the symptoms of 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. This strengthens the muscles throughout the airway passage and minimizes the likelihood of them interfering with breathing and sleep. It's tough to find out you have sleep apnea. Luckily, this disorder is treatable. Try these sleep apnea tips and begin applying them to your daily life now. With proper treatment, you can live a healthy and full life despite your sleep apnea condition. People that have sleep apnea can benefit from learning to play a wind instrument. According to a study from Germany, not only does this offer mental benefits, but it can also can reduce symptoms of sleep apnea. This hobby will keep your airways under your control.