Tips For Sleep Apnea Sufferers And Those Who Love Them

Tips For Sleep Apnea Sufferers And Those Who Love Them

Many people incorrectly assume that waking up tired each day is something they have to deal with without help. Sleep apnea, a disorder from which many people suffer, is severely underdiagnosed. The article below will tell you what you should know about the condition. While people who are thin can have sleep apnea for various reasons, one common reason many people have it is being overweight. In these cases, simply losing the extra weight can alleviate the symptoms. A logical weight loss program that includes a restrictive, yet healthy diet together with a sensible exercise routine is necessary. Reducing carbohydrate intake can be an effective way to take off the pounds, according to some recent studies. If you want to ease your sleep apnea, it's crucial that you speak with your physician regarding CPAP machines and which is best for you. The loudness and size of any machine should be considered. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. Your physician can recommend the best manufacturers in the industry. Do you have a smoking or drinking habit? Get rid of behaviors that are not good for you. Your airways are affected by using both of these substances. Alcohol can relax airways while smoking can cause them to swell, both of which can cause you to have sleep apnea. If you can't completely eliminate these habits, try avoiding them prior to bed. Believe it or not, wind instruments can help you deal with your sleep apnea. Researchers in Germany have found playing a didgeridoo can make your throat muscles stronger. These are the muscles that control airway dilatation and airway wall rigidity. For this reason, playing regularly helps you get a good night of rest by limiting the symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring. Shedding some excess pounds is a good idea if you're overweight. Multiple research projects demonstrate the connection between sleep apnea and being overweight. If you are obese, lose at least 20 pounds to see if it makes a change for the better with your sleep apnea. It will also help ward off other medical conditions, too.

Sleep Apnea

Avoid drinking alcohol to excess. Alcohol is a natural muscle relaxant. This might be something you want to do but it can also exacerbate your sleep apnea. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. 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. Not everyone equates bad and good food with sleep apnea, but many people have found out that it does play a role. People that eat unhealthy are more likely to have worse sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition to have. Be aware of the symptoms of sleep apnea and consult your doctor if you are concerned. A doctor can refer you to a sleep lab if the doctor believes you have sleep apnea, and you can then get on the road to recovery if you have it. Try something besides sleeping pills. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. They also can cause other harmful issues to make your sleep apnea worse. Think about asking your physician about ways you can get to sleep that will not affect your apnea. Sleep on your side, as it can help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. When you sleep on your back, the airways get obstructed due to the throat and nasal passages being more prone to obstruction. If you have trouble staying off your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas to help you stay on your side. You may see a big difference in the quality of your sleep. Sleep while on your side. Most people who have sleep apnea realize that they have been sleeping on their back too much. Sleeping on your back can cause the tissues in your mouth and throat to block your airway. Breathing is a lot easier for your body to do when you are on your side. You may want to prop yourself up with pillows so you stay on your side. If your sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, make certain that a medical ID is always with you. The reason for this is because if you must be taken to the hospital, the staff assisting you needs to understand that you're using the CPAP machine for your sleep apnea. Your ID should tell people about your sleep apnea, your use of a CPAP, and the proper pressure level for it.

Sleep Apnea

If you suffer from sleep apnea and are traveling, remember to bring the CPAP machine along. If you have sleep apnea, you need to use your CPAP every night. A travel bag with good padding probably came with your machine. You can use this bag to allow you to transport your CPAP machine with ease when you're not home. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have issues with your sinuses or allergies, have them treated as soon as possible. Remember that you already face difficulties from your sleep apnea. You want to reduce any chance that you have of disturbing your sleep. Keeping your airway free and clear by treating your nasal problems gives you a much better chance of sleeping through the night without problems. Use a single, average-sized pillow for your head at night. Your sleeping position can be affected negatively by multiple pillows or an over-sized one. You'll be resting in such a way that makes breathing difficult. This is why you need just one single pillow to sleep more restfully at night. One of the best ways to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea is by losing weight. Sleep apnea symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by taking off those extra pounds. In fact, you don't have to lose a lot of weight to open up the airways and the throat. If you do tongue exercises you will allieviate sleep apnea symptoms. For example, try this: press your tongue up against your upper palate, and hold it for about three minutes. This increases the strength of the muscles in your tongue and throat, which means they won't relax as much during the night. 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. Stopping smoking and shedding weight is a great start, especially for anyone dealing with sleep apnea. You should stay away from alcohol, anything caffeinated and even heavier meals within the hours leading up to bed time. Getting your throat muscles stronger is a great way to have less of a problem with sleep apnea. When your breathing is obstructed by soft tissues collapsing in the anterior of your throat while you sleep, the result is sleep apnea. When your muscles strengthen, they won't collapse so easily, and your airway will stay clear. Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. Most apnea patients are "back sleepers", making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. Prop yourself on your side using pillows or cushions. Don't be ashamed that you have to use a CPAP machine. 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. Remember that your CPAP machine was prescribed by your doctor to help you. If those in your life are not supportive of this, perhaps you should seek more supportive friends and acquaintances. Take lessons on a woodwind instrument. Wind exercises will help exercise and strengthen your throat muscles, which will help you breath in the middle of the night. Training these muscles will strengthen them and may help you to control them while you sleep and thus lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. It's a good idea to contact your airline if you're planning a long plane trip and will need to make use of a CPAP machine during your flight. Almost every airline company will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs. You'll need a power adapter on any foreign flights you take. If you have sleep apnea, or if you simply snore at night, try learning to play a wind instrument. This can significantly help you get through the night without bothering other people with your heavy snoring. Taking up an instrument can help you with controlling your airways. Some types of sleep apnea are able to be corrected using oral appliances. That is due to the fact that some people have a jaw that naturally makes their airway narrow. Proper jaw alignment for easy breathing during sleep is possible thanks to corrective mouth guards. If you are someone who is dealing with sleep apnea, you should not sleep on your back. Many sleeping difficulties, like airway blockages, are caused or exacerbated by lying on your back when you sleep. Try side-sleeping, but if you can't do it naturally, try propping a pillow to force your body onto a side every night. Be sure to see your doctor to participate in a sleep test if you suspect you may have sleep apnea. Such a test can both diagnose the presence of sleep apnea and determine to what extent you're afflicted with it. Less severe cases of sleep apnea can be relatively easy to treat. Some situations of sleep apnea are solved with corrective mouth pieces. This is because some people's jaws are shaped in a way that makes the airways naturally narrow. More air can enter the airway if a corrective device is used to reposition the jaw. Because apnea is not a problem of the nose, but rather a problem of the throat, making the throat stronger can have positive effects on controlling apnea symptoms. You can learn any number of simple exercises to help you tone and strengthen the muscles in your throat. If you or your partner have excessive problems getting restful sleep due to snoring or breathing issues, then you need to consult your doctor. Don't continue to suffer with this condition. Share the information here with others, and if you are the sufferer, ask your doctor about what you have read here. If you think you suffer from sleep apnea, get an official diagnosis from your family physician. This can be a complex condition, and getting restful sleep is too vital to simply make assumptions about what is going on. Talk to your physician, and establish a medical treatment plan.