Getting Great Sleep Despite Sleep Apnea: Here's How

Getting Great Sleep Despite Sleep Apnea: Here's How

Are you tired this morning despite your best efforts to get a good night's sleep? Your spouse may recognize that you are suffering from sleep apnea before you do. Has your own snoring woken you up before? You might suffer from sleep apnea, but this is fine. The article below offers help. A mouth guard for use while you sleep can help you deal with sleep apnea, even if your airways are naturally narrow. These devices are designed to correct your airways and allow you to breathe properly during the night. Mouth guards and sleep masks must be properly fitted in order to help improve apnea. Using a mouth guard specifically made for sleep apnea sufferers may help you sleep better. These can help you breathe better and clear your airways. Talk to your doctor about whether or not a mouth guard can solve your sleep apnea problem. Lose weight if you need to. There are many studies linking overweight people to sleep apnea. If you slim down, you may see a marked difference in how your sleep apnea affects you.

Sleep Apnea

Try using a mouth guard to help you sleep. These special guards are designed to help people who suffer with sleep apnea. Instead of using a CPAP device, you can use a mouth guard. A mouth guard works by keeping airways open and giving the soft tissues stability. If you are dealing with sleep apnea and you're a smoker and drinker, you should quit now to help improve the symptoms of this condition. Both habits cause the muscles of the airway to relax, which increases both snoring and sleep apnea. Cutting out these habits actually saves you money, unlike other costly alternatives like surgery. If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine, try to wear it for about 4 hours every night. It can be hard, at first, to get comfortable using it. However, it won't be effective if you don't use it every day. If it is hard and become difficult to adjust to in the beginning, then ensure you are using it at least four hours a night. Be sure to eat well and maintain a proper weight to help control your sleep apnea. A lot of people are surprised to learn how their poor diet could be causing sleep apnea. Studies have shown that people that eat poor quality food have worse apnea than those who are overweight but eat healthier. Avoid relying on sleeping pills. Sleeping pills carry the risk of throat relaxation, much the same as alcohol does. There can also cause other problems if you are dealing with sleep apnea. Consult your doctor to find a sleep aid that won't impact your breathing. Do not drink alcohol often. Alcohol naturally relaxes your muscles. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. Your muscles will relax and collapse, which will make you snore and possibly cough through the night. While it's not vital that alcohol be avoided 100%, do what you can to make sure you do not drink it before a nap or nighttime sleep. Try and get someone you know to tell you how you sleep through the night. One way to check out your sleeping habits is to train a video camera on yourself. Remember that recording audio is equally important; medical professionals can tell a great deal from the sounds you make while you sleep.

Sleeping Pills

In an effort to better diagnose your apnea problem, your physician might want you to maintain a sleep log. In it, you'll be expected to log the hours you sleep nightly, any symptoms you may feel and the overall quality of your sleep. Your partner can let you know if you snore too loudly, jerk your limbs, or stop breathing. Your doctor will then be able to tell if you suffer from sleep apnea. Try out different things besides pills to help you sleep. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. Taking sleeping pills can have a negative impact on other health conditions that those with sleep apnea may experience. Stress relief through meditation or exercise can also help you fall asleep safely. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule if you suffer from sleep apnea. Apnea disrupts your sleep patterns already. If you can get on a better scheducle you will help your symptoms. Setting regular times for both going to sleep and waking up is the most important thing to do. Keep a regular sleeping schedule to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea. Remember, your sleep is already being disrupted by your condition. If you can get on a better scheducle you will help your symptoms. Go to sleep and wake up at set times each day, even the weekends, for the best results. A medical ID is a must for those being assisted by a CPAP machine. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. The ID must say that you have apnea, use a CPAP machine, and specify what pressure the machine is set at. Get a chin strap to keep your mouth closed when you are sleeping with a CPAP or BIPAP machine. This inconspicuous piece of cloth will keep your chin up when you are asleep and your mouth from gaping open. The CPAP only works if the mouth is closed, so try using the strap. If you are using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea, be sure to take it when you're going to the hospital. 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. This is preset to your breathing pressure. In addition, you'll be using the same mask you've been accustomed to using each night. Having your equipment close by will make it easy to continue your treatment and improve your prognosis. Make sure you have something with you at all times that explains that you suffer from sleep apnea and you use a CPAP. If you need medical attention, it's crucial that others realize that you've got sleep apnea and that you use a CPAP. Your ID should tell people about your sleep apnea, your use of a CPAP, and the proper pressure level for it. If the solutions you have tried are not improving your ability to sleep soundly, then see your doctor to discuss more aggressive options. There are people that don't respond well to traditional sleep apnea treatments, and sometimes they have to have surgery. This surgery may involve removing the adenoids, enlarging the airway or removing the tonsils.

Nasal Spray

Consulting a doctor is important, but there are several options you can try at home. 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. Use nasal spray if you suffer from sleep apnea. This might open up your airways so you can sleep. Nasal spray is not a permanent solution to nighttime breathing issues, though; prolonged use will cause irritation and possibly sinus damage. You should go to your pharmacy and explore different options to keep your nose open while you sleep. Do not sleep on your back 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. A good way to get around this is to use a pillow so that you sleep on your side in bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not underestimate the power of losing a few pounds. If your sleep condition is caused by obesity, weight loss may solve your problem completely. Getting thinner will lower the amount of pressure on your trachea, which means more air will get to your lungs while you sleep. Play a woodwind instrument. This is not only a good way to expand your horizons, but it will also strengthen the muscles that are the source of sleep apnea problems. By playing a wind instrument you are strengthening these muscles, making it easier for you to manage them and lessening the severity of your sleep apnea. Reading this article was the first step in dealing with your sleep apnea. This is a crucial step that lots of people usually mess up. Now that you have more insight into this condition, you should be able to begin putting together a treatment plan with your physician. If you suffer from sleep apnea, and you use a CPAP, check with your doctor about a heated humidifier. Moist, warm air will help you get a better night's sleep and make it easier to keep up with the CPAP therapy. Humidifiers are built into a lot of CPAP machines. Ask your doctor about prescribing you one.