The Basics Of Dealing With Sleep Apnea

The Basics Of Dealing With Sleep Apnea

Not only does sleep apnea disrupt your life, it can also get to the point where it poses life threatening health conditions. This is why it's important for sleep apnea sufferers to educate themselves on the condition's causes and the different treatment options available to them. This article will share some helpful advice that will get you on the right path. Sleep mouth guards can benefit you if you suffer from sleep apnea. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. It's best to see a medical professional to get fitted properly for a guard that will fit your individual situation. A major reason why a lot of people deal with the sleep apnea condition is because of the excess weight they're carrying. If this applies, it is is important to shed some excess weight. A logical weight loss program that includes a restrictive, yet healthy diet together with a sensible exercise routine is necessary. Carbohydrate restriction has been shown to help people lose weight in recent studies as well. Do you have a smoking or drinking habit? Rid yourself of those bad habits. These substances can really harm your airways. Alcohol relaxes your airways, and tobacco causes it to swell. If you cannot get rid of these habits for good, make an effort to avoid smoking or drinking before you go to bed. Do you smoke and/or drink? Quit these vices. Both of these things affect your airway negatively and compound your sleep apnea problem. 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. If you're a smoker or a drinker (or both) who's also dealing with sleep apnea, you may find that giving up your vices will solve your sleep disorder. Both of these bad habits can cause the airway muscles to relax, which makes you snore and adds to the symptoms of sleep apnea. Some people resort to invasive surgeries to correct their sleep apnea without realizing that discontinuing these bad habits could have been a more simple and much cheaper route!

Sleep Apnea

Try using a mouth guard to help you sleep. These are made especially for those suffering from sleep apnea. It provides a more comfortable option to using a CPAP machine. These mouth guards help you by making sure your airways remain open by giving your soft tissues a stabilizing hand. Quitting smoking and drinking can relieve sleep apnea symptoms. Both of these cause muscles in your airway to relax, which can increase snoring and worsen sleep apnea. Quitting these addictions may be the easiest way to address your sleep apnea. Try your best to use your CPAP machine as much as possible if you get one. Some people have a really hard time sleeping with the device. However, you must use your CPAP a minimum of four hours for it to be effective. Using it for the minimum of four hours a day will allow yourself to slowly transition to full time use. Some people give up using the CPAP machine they have been prescribed and this is not a good move. Use it for at least four hours each night, until you become used to it in full. Using a CPAP while sleeping is a tough adjustment for many patients to make. Nonetheless, it will not be effective unless you wear it for a minimum of 4 hours nightly. If you're struggling to adjust, ensure you're using the CPAP for four hours every single time you go to sleep. A diagnosis of sleep apnea usually involves your personal and family medical histories, as well as a comprehensive physical examination. Sleep studies may be suggested and your doctor might refer you over to a type of sleep specialist that can diagnose and treat your symptoms.

Sleep Apnea

You may not even realize you have sleep apnea. If you have no wife or husband to tell you, you be unaware you stop breathing at night. Try setting up a video camcorder to record yourself while you are sleeping at night. The video should also have audio to listen for any noises. Be sure to eat well and maintain a proper weight to help control your sleep apnea. Not everyone equates bad and good food with sleep apnea, but many people have found out that it does play a role. Studies show that people who eat low quality foods suffer from apnea worse than overweight people that eat healthy foods. Lose a bit of weight to get rid of your sleep apnea. A lot of people find that when they lose weight, they no longer have apnea. You can have relief from sleep apnea symptoms by losing as little as 10 pounds. Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol naturally relaxes your muscles. While this might often be a desirable side effect of drinking, it can also cause sleep apnea. Your muscles will relax and collapse, which will make you snore and possibly cough through the night. If drinking is an important part of your life, restrict the amount of alcohol you consume and drink it earlier in the day. It is better to sleep on your side if you have sleep apnea. Most people with sleep apnea tend to snooze lying face-up, and this can cause the airways to be more susceptible to interference. Use whatever means you can to keep from rolling on your back. Pillows can help and some people even sew a tennis ball into the back of their night clothes. Sleep apnea is a significant disorder. If you think you may have it, talk to a doctor immediately. In the process of fully diagnosing your condition, you may be able to consult with a sleep specialist. Home sleep tests with portable monitors are also often used to pinpoint sleep apnea. If you are still smoking then you must stop - now. Smoking swells up your upper airways, which can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. Second-hand smoke is just as damaging to the respiratory system as first-hand smoke. The first month is the hardest part. Once you are past that point, your nicotine cravings lessen drastically. Sleep apnea symptoms can be worse if you also have allergies or other sinus related issues. You already are having difficulty breathing at night due to your sleep condition. You don't need to deal with anything that will affect your breathing when you sleep. You'll experience a better night of sleep and reduce the odds of running into serious breathing difficulties if you take care of nasal and sinus issues without delay. Play wind instruments. It exercises your throat muscles and strengthens your lungs while stimulating your mind and providing relaxation. As you make these muscles stronger, you will see increased control and minimize apnea symptoms.

Sleep Apnea

Don't feel any shame about necessary treatments for sleep apnea, including lugging around your CPAP device. Make people aware that your life would be much worse with the machine. Also, don't be afraid to use the machine in front of others, including friends and your spouse. Anybody who doesn't understand doesn't deserve your time. One sure-fire way to combat the problems posed by sleep apnea is proper weight management. Many people find that they can completely correct sleep apnea by losing excess weight. Even a few pounds can help your sleep apnea symptoms. How you physically sleep each night can really affect your sleep apnea. That is why it is important to sleep in the best position. Take a foam wedge to lift the top of your body up. Alternatively, you can elevate the upper portion of your bed a few inches. Get rid of as many sleep apnea factors as possible. Some sleep apnea risk factors cannot be changed, like genetic or hereditary reasons. However, many other risk factors can be cut out, like being overweight, a smoker or a heavy drinker. Anyone afflicted with sleep apnea might need solutions to get good rest. Sleeping at random times can disrupt your sleep, so go to bed each night at the same time. As well, take out any distractions that your bedroom may hold like televisions and computers. If your room is not comfortable, you will have a hard time resting. 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. Avoiding smoking and losing weight are good for anyone, but especially those with sleep apnea. You should stay away from alcohol, anything caffeinated and even heavier meals within the hours leading up to bed time. Don't sleep on your back. Sleeping on your back can block your airways and cause sleep problems. Try side sleeping; if you keep rolling back, use a pillow to prop yourself sideways. Sleep apnea is without question an extremely frustrating condition. It robs people of their energy to get through life each day, it causes negative changes in behavior and many more things. It can cause suffering to the person who have it as well as others who spend time with those who have it. As you battle sleep apnea, remember the information contained in this article and get to work designing your own sleep apnea battle plan. Do not let your sleep apnea go untreated. Putting off a doctor's visit could lead to a worsening of conditions over a period of time. You shouldn't allow your snoring and sleep quality to worsen. If you believe you may suffer from sleep apnea, immediately visit your doctor.