The Basics Of Fighting Sleep Apnea Easily

The Basics Of Fighting Sleep Apnea Easily

There are millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea. There are a number of causes, and it can lead to serious health problems. You should never ignore the condition of sleep apnea, and if you have a sleep partner, they should know of the problem, too. Read on to find out more. Try quitting smoking and drinking alcohol if you have sleep apnea. Both of these bad habits make the airways relax too much, making sleep apnea worse. Quitting these habits may help you avoid costly and invasive surgery in the future.

Sleep Apnea

Did you know that sleep apnea can afflict children? 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. Sleep apnea symptoms can mimic those of ADHD, but only a doctor can give the proper diagnosis. If you're having a problem with sleep apnea and are a smoker or a drinker, you may find that quitting can help you immensely. These habits can cause airways to relax too much, which can worsen sleep apnea and snoring. Cutting out these habits actually saves you money, unlike other costly alternatives like surgery. Make sure you don't take any sleeping pills after you find out you suffer from sleep apnea. One of the effects of sleeping pills is that they constrict your throat, which only exacerbates sleep apnea. This can be deadly when combined with sleep apnea. Sleeping pills are a bad idea. Speak with your physician about getting a mouth piece that can help you breathe better. You may have a naturally narrow breathing passage, small jaw or recessed chin that can amplify the effects of sleep apnea. You can get better rest if you wear a custom mouth guard that aligns your jaw properly. People with sleep apnea who need a CPAP should have a medical ID that identifies the problem. If you are ever in need of emergency treatments, this ID will let the medical team know that you suffer from sleep apnea and are following CPAP therapy. The ID should say that you have this condition, you require a CPAP, and it should identify the pressure levels you require for effective treatment. Eating healthy foods consistently can reduce your weight and sleep apnea symptoms. Most people would find it surprising to know that your diet can be a factor in managing sleep apnea. Research has proven that those who consume low quality food demonstrate more severe sleep apnea than even overweight folks who eat healthy. If you suffer from sleep apnea and are traveling, remember to bring the CPAP machine along. Once you have your CPAP machine, do not skip using it at any time. Most CPAP machines have convenient and durable carrying cases. Any time that you need to sleep overnight while traveling, you should keep your CPAP machine in your sleeping quarters. Avoid alcohol before bed as much as possible. Your muscles will over-relax when you use alcohol, especially before bed. If the throat muscles are too relaxed, they can collapse and block your airway. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. If you have to have a drink, do it well before bedtime. Devices intended to prevent snoring may be of some use. Both snoring and sleep apnea are caused by narrowed airways. So you can see that it is logical that this device can help with both issues. Use an anti-snoring device when you sleep. To help diagnose your sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to keep a sleep log. The intent is for you to record both the overall amount of sleep you get and any unusual symptoms or incidents that occur. Your partner can help with that, as they know whether you are a loud snorer or jerk about. This will greatly help your doctor in diagnosing your condition. If a person has sleep apnea and is overweight, they can often reduce their symptoms by losing some weight. People who are overweight or have a larger than normal neck circumference may be prone to sleep apnea. Your breathing will be improved once you lose weight because the pressure will be reduced on the airway and your airflow will be increased. If you have a CPAP machine, carry your medical ID. It may be a vital piece of information if you need emergency medical care and unable to give that information. Your ID should clearly state all information relevant to your sleep apnea, including what pressure level setting you use for your CPAP. Consulting a doctor is important, but there are several options you can try at home. Stopping smoking and shedding weight is a great start, especially for anyone dealing with sleep apnea. Overeating, consuming an excessive amount of alcohol and too much caffeine before bed can all exacerbate sleep apnea.

Hospital Stay

Do not lie on your back when you sleep if you have sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back blocks your airways quite easily. To prevent yourself from rolling over while you sleep, use pillows or cushions. Always have your CPAP machine with you while you sleep, even if it happens to be during a hospital stay. 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. It will be a lot easier and more comfortable if you bring yours instead of using one at the hospital. This will facilitate your CPAP therapy during your hospital stay. Stop smoking cigarettes if you have sleep apnea. Upper airways have a tendency to swell in smokers and increases the likelihood of sleep apnea. Try to use some nicotine patches or other stop smoking programs or medications. Getting through the first month is the toughest. After that, the nicotine starts to leave your body and the cravings lessen. Cut down on your chances of developing sleep apnea. Certain risk factors are ones you can do nothing about it, like inheriting genetic traits or having been born a man. Being overweight, drinking, smoking and weak throat muscles can all bring on sleep apnea. You can curtail the symptoms of this affliction by doing tongue exercises. If you press your tongue up and hold it there for a short period of time, it will help. This makes the tongue and throat muscles stronger and prevents them from relaxing and blocking the airway as you sleep. Sleep apnea never just disappears of its own free will; you have to do something about it. A variety of underlying medical conditions can contribute to sleep apnea. Some sleep apnea sufferers can deal with their symptoms by getting rid of excess weight, but there are also people with the condition who aren't overweight. CPAP machines and other non-invasive therapies have worked for millions of apnea sufferers. Some individuals prefer a surgical procedure which relieves airways restrictions. No matter what route you take, your treatment is definitely key to a happy life. If you're using a CPAP machine, see if you doctor can also prescribe a humidifier with heat. The humid, warm air enables CPAP users to have a much easier time getting restful sleep. Many CPAP machines come with built-in humidifiers now, so see if your doctor can prescribe one of those for you.

Sleep Apnea

How you sleep can determine how many sleep apnea occurrences you have. That's why you need to sleep in an optimal position. Try taking a foam wedge and using it to raise the top half of your body. You could also try raising your head up about four inches. If you have sleep apnea, you can improve your symptoms by exercising your throat muscles. When the soft tissue of the throat collapses, the airway becomes blocked and sleep apnea occurs. When your muscles are strenghthened they will not block your air passages. Back sleeping can aggravate the the symptoms of sleep apnea, so always sleep to one side of your body. Simply sew a pocket onto the back of your sleep clothing and put a tennis ball inside the pocket. This will help you to keep from laying on your back while you are asleep. Doing this makes back sleeping uncomfortable. A CPAP machine is a common treatment tool for sleep apnea; if you use one, you should also ask your physician about getting a heated humidifier. If the air you breathe is moist, you have a higher chance of sleeping better and continuing your CPAP machine application. Many CPAP manufacturers are providing machines with integrated humidifiers, so check with your doctor to see if that is a good option for you. People who suffer from sleep apnea, or even snoring, should consider learning to play an 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 new method will help you control your airways. 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. Soaking in a warm or hot bath relaxes your muscle tension. This will make it easier to fall asleep and get the good night's sleep you deserve. Use meditation, warm baths and massages to help you relieve stress and reduce anxiety-induced sleep apnea. You can relieve tension and relax your muscles by soaking in a warm bath. It is likely that you will fall asleep more easily and rest more soundly, offering the potential for minimizing apnea symptoms as a result. The information contained herein will help you, and can even help others. Ignoring sleep apnea is probably the worst decision, with regards to your health, that you can make. Print out this article to share with those around you, so that they also can share in your new-found knowledge. Those with sleep apnea may need to find simple solutions to get a good night's rest. Make sure you establish a regular bedtime, and adhere to it every night. Also ensure that where you sleep has optimal conditions to help you fall asleep. If it is uncomfortable, you might not be able to fall asleep.