Helpful Advice To Overcoming Sleep Apnea

Helpful Advice To Overcoming Sleep Apnea

If you are finding it difficult to sleep each night, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Specific sleeping disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat. What's great is that there are a lot of things you can do to deal with sleep apnea. Use this article to help you to better deal with this condition. Extra weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea. Should this be the reason, weight loss should be the rule of thumb. There should be a weight loss plan in place that restricts calories. Exercising should be a part of this plan as well. Some studies suggest that limiting carbohydrate intake can lead to weight loss, as well. Ask your doctor for advice about what CPAP machine you should get. You should consider the size and volume of the device before you decide to get one. There are some very small and quiet machines available. Your doctor will help you find one that is well made. If your sleep apnea is a result of narrow airways, look at options for a mouth guard. These can help you breathe better and clear your airways. If this sounds like a solution worth pursuing, discuss the matter with your doctor and schedule a fitting for a guard of your own. You can really cut back on your sleep apnea by giving up alcohol and smoking. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. Getting rid of these habits can save you money as well. Lose some weight if you're heavy. Studies have found a correlation between sleep apnea and obesity. A loss of 10 or more pounds can significantly reduce our sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep Apnea

Do not neglect your CPAP machine if it has been prescribed to you. Many folks have difficulty adjusting to the CPAP in the beginning. Four hours of use every night is the minimum necessary time you need to realize the benefits of CPAP therapy. If you are having difficulty adjusting to it at first, try to make sure you at least use your CPAP four hours each time you sleep. Speak with your doctor about treating your sleep apnea with a dental mouth piece. Sleep apnea can be caused by a genetically small jaw, recessed chin or a breathing passage that is too small. By aligning the position of your jaw and throat, you will find that you can sleep with fewer symptoms of sleep apnea. Cut back on your alcohol consumption. Alcohol naturally relaxes your muscles. That may be something people like when they drink, but it also can cause sleep apnea. Because alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, your airway is harder to control. If you feel you must drink, try not to do it as often or before you go to sleep. Eating right can keep you healthy and well rested. You'd be surprised at how much a healthy diet can help you with sleep apnea. Studies show that people who eat low quality foods suffer from apnea worse than overweight people that eat healthy foods. Some cases of sleep apnea are quite severe. If you see any signs, go get yourself an opinion right away. Once you know whether or not you have it for sure, you can figure out how to deal with it. Avoid drinking much alcohol. Alcohol causes your muscles to relax. People who are addicted to alcohol may learn that this is the cause of their apnea, and others who drink sporadically should know it affects them, too. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. If drinking is an important part of your life, restrict the amount of alcohol you consume and drink it earlier in the day. Try to sleep on your side instead of your back to breathe easier when you sleep. The airway obstructions that cause sleep apnea are far more likely to occur if you sleep on your back than in any other position. Try to fall asleep in a side position, and discover if that relieves your sleep apnea tonight.

Sleeping Pills

A diagnosis of sleep apnea usually involves your personal and family medical histories, as well as a comprehensive physical examination. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea. Try something besides sleeping pills. Sleeping pills carry the risk of throat relaxation, much the same as alcohol does. They can also contribute to a large variety of things that are problematic to those who suffer from sleep apnea. Ask your physician about sleep aids that won't also affect your breathing. Assessing your sleep apnea potential might be hard if you there is not a partner in bed at night to give you feedback. To gather evidence a physician can evaluate, record yourself sleeping through the night. Make sure the video has sound as well, so that your doctor can hear your breathing. If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. If the hospitalization was planned or for an emergency, you should still be sure that your CPAP and your mask are brought with you to be used while you're there. You have already set the pressure to the appropriate level, and you are accustomed to the mask that you have been using nightly. Having your equipment close by will make it easy to continue your treatment and improve your prognosis. Try to avoid sleeping pills when you're suffering from sleep apnea. Sleeping pills relax throat muscles to the degree that they no longer properly function. Sleeping pills could cause injury or death if your sleep apnea is particularly severe. It can be difficult to stay asleep when you have sleep apnea, but you need to use other methods, such as a CPAP. You should now understand that sleep apnea is treatable. Try all of these methods to find the right one. The application of your newfound knowledge is a great next step towards better rest. Don't let sleep apnea run your life any longer. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule if you suffer from sleep apnea. Your condition is already messing with your regular sleep cycle every night. Any steps you take to improve your overall sleep habits will help deal with the symptoms of your condition and minimize the impact it has. So try and get into bed around the same times every night.