Untreated Sleep Apnea Can Have Serious Consequences

Untreated Sleep Apnea Can Have Serious Consequences

Simply speaking about sleep apnea will not get you needed rest. If you have sleep apnea, you need to do something about it. The first step is simply knowing what treatment methods exist. Keep reading to learn some things you can do that will help. Do you smoke and drink alcohol? Address your bad habits if you have sleep apnea problems. These types of substances restrict your airways. Smoking swells up your airways while alcohol relaxes them. Both of these things can result in sleep apnea. If you do not want to quit, just do not do it before laying down to sleep. Avoid unhealthy activities to control your sleep apnea. Few things are worse for sleep apnea than drinking and smoking. Drinking relaxes your airway to prevent proper breathing. And when you smoke you inhale a bunch of carcinogens that can seriously damage your lungs. Dropping these habits can help ease your symptoms. Eating in a healthy way will help you drop weight and fight apnea. Not everyone equates bad and good food with sleep apnea, but many people have found out that it does play a role. Studies have shown that people that eat poor quality food have worse apnea than those who are overweight but eat healthier. If your weight is higher than it should be, reverse that. There are many studies linking overweight people to sleep apnea. As a result, the loss of just twenty or twenty five pounds can make a significant difference in reducing your symptoms of sleep apnea. If you can, sleep on one of your sides. Sleeping on your back is more likely to cause snoring and apnea. If you sleep on your back, your airway may become blocked when mouth tissues slide back. It is best to sleep on one of your sides or your stomach. Use pillows to force yourself to sleep sideways if you have a problem with rolling over once you are asleep.

Sleep Apnea

A diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by analyzing your medical history as well as your family history, followed by a physical exam. Sleep studies may also be done, and depending on what your primary doctor finds after all these measures, he may refer you to a sleep specialist, which is a type of doctor that diagnoses and treats people exhibiting sleep problems. Eating healthy foods consistently can reduce your weight and sleep apnea symptoms. Despite what you may think, diet plays a major part in the ability to sleep. It's been proven that poor diets can contribute to the severity of sleep apnea. Always bring your CPAP along whenever you travel. You don't want to sleep a single night without your CPAP after a sleep apnea diagnosis. Conveniently, your CPAP machine should have a bag included with it for easy travel. Any time that you need to sleep overnight while traveling, you should keep your CPAP machine in your sleeping quarters. Limit your alcohol consumption. Your muscles will over-relax when you use alcohol, especially before bed. You might want this consequence of consuming alcohol, but it also instigates sleep apnea. Alcohol has an effect on throat muscles and it can hurt your body. If you absolutely must drink, then do it in moderation and certainly not right when you're about to go to sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. Your CPAP and your mask should be with you for both planned stays and trips to an emergency room. It already has your pressure settings dialed in, and your mask is something your used to wearing at night. This lessens the stress of being away from home and enables you to continue the CPAP therapy while at the hospital. Get rid of as many sleep apnea factors as possible. Certain risk factors are ones you can do nothing about it, like inheriting genetic traits or having been born a man. However, things like quitting smoking and drinking are within your control, and there's no excuse for continuing these detrimental behaviors. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have issues with your sinuses or allergies, have them treated as soon as possible. During the night, you are already dealing with breathing problems. One issue is enough when battling for air when you are asleep. Addressing nasal problems ensures you a better chance at sleeping from dusk until dawn problem-free. Although you should visit your doctor to become diagnosed, you can still figure out if you have sleep apnea on your own. If you lose weight and quit smoking you will be able to combat sleep apnea. Keep the last two hours before bed free of heavy meals, caffeinated beverages or alcoholic beverages. If you have a stuffy nose, use a saline spray or neti pot. It may offer a couple nights of relief. Don't use it over a long duration because it can cause problems. Talk to a pharmacist to see which spray they recommend.

Sleep Apnea

Cut down on your chances of developing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can run in the family, and that is one factor that can't be changed. However, many other risk factors can be cut out, like being overweight, a smoker or a heavy drinker. Avoid back sleeping when you have sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back with sleep apnea can make it hard for you to sleep. To prevent yourself from rolling over while you sleep, use pillows or cushions. Your physician is the only one who can really diagnose sleep apnea in you for sure, but there are things you can do on your own to manage and combat the condition once you know. It's always a good idea to stop drinking and smoking and lose weight. It is doubly so if you have sleep apnea. It is also important to avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals at least two hours prior to going to sleep. People that have sleep apnea need the help of a doctor. Depending on what causes your sleep apnea, you may respond to different treatments. A good way to help with sleep apnea symptoms is by losing weight; but it can also occur in people who are very thin, too. Millions of sleep apnea sufferers find relief from non-surgical options like CPAP machines. Some decide to go under the knife to get the airway relief they require. Whichever route you choose, getting proper treatment can improve your sleep and your life. If you have sleep apnea, or if you just snore a lot, playing an instrument may be beneficial. Not only is this habit soothing, but a European research project showed that learning wind instruments like the Didgeridoo significantly cuts back on the problems of sleep apnea. Mastering this music form means you can retain control of your respiratory system.

Sleep Apnea

Those with sleep apnea may need to find simple solutions to get a good night's rest. Be sure to keep regular bedtime habits and get the same amount of sleep nightly. Make your bedroom conducive to getting a good night's sleep. With poor sleeping conditions you run the risk of having recurring sleeping issues. Stop smoking if you have sleep apnea. Smoking causes swelling in the upper airway, which makes sleep apnea worse. Try going cold turkey. For most people, the toughest part is the first 30 days or so. Once you are over that, you shouldn't have as much trouble with cravings, as the nicotine has started leaving your body. Take the initiative and figure out how to live with sleep apnea. If you fail to see a physician and get treated, it is very likely that your symptoms are going to get worse. Don't wait around for your lack of good sleep and snoring to get even worse. If you suspect sleep apnea, schedule a doctor visit now. Avoid alcohol if you have sleep apnea. When you drink you relax your throat muscles which actually provokes them to collapse. Do not drink or smoke before you lay down to sleep. This will lessen the chances of alcohol interrupting your sleep. Some corrective oral devices can aid in the treatment of sleep apnea. The reason for this is that jaws vary in shape and size, and some configurations may cause narrowing of the airways. Your jaw can be aligned with a corrective device because air can flow more easily. Getting a CPAP machine is no cause for concern or embarrassment. You will need to quickly get used to using it front of those who are closest to you. Using this machine is for your own good, and anyone who pokes fun at you for needing it should probably not be your friend. If you believe that you're suffering from sleep apnea, it would be wise to talk to ask your doctor to give you a sleep test. This procedure will let you know if you're suffering with sleep apnea and what you are dealing with. The next step is to find a treatment for your problem, even if you have a very mild case of sleep apnea. How you sleep can determine how many sleep apnea occurrences you have. Thus, it is critical to sleep with your body in the proper position. If you must sleep on your back, elevate your head and the top half of your body slightly. Talk to your doctor about other ways of sleeping that will be beneficial to you. Many people think of sleep apnea as a problem surrounding the nose, but really strengthening your throat muscles is the key. If you wish to learn how to make your throat muscles stronger, you can do several simple and quick exercises. You should now understand the many ways for treating sleep apnea thanks to this article, and it's now up to you to begin treatment. Use the information that applies to your condition, and stick to it so you can get yourself a peaceful night's sleep. Reclaim your dreams, and get through your days with ease from here on out. If you suspect sleep apnea afflicts you, make sure to have a formal diagnosis made by a doctor. Your doctor can prescribe the best treatments to decrease the symptoms of sleep apnea. Be sure to share all of your signs and symptoms with your doctor. Together, you can think of a good plan of action.