Great Advice On How To Deal With Sleep Apnea
A lot of individuals mistakenly think that waking each morning exhausted is unavoidable. Sleep apnea can be a dangerous condition if left untreated. This article will outline what you should be aware of if you have sleep apnea.
A corrective mouth guard for sleeping hours can do wonders if your condition is due to airways that are naturally narrow. These can help you breathe better and clear your airways. Talk to your physician about these, and get a fitting if you two think it might work.
If you are carrying a few extra pounds, it may be time to lose them. Studies have found a correlation between sleep apnea and obesity. It also stands to reason that losing just a little weight can dramatically improve your condition and your health.
Try to sleep on your sides to keep sleep apnea from ruining your sleep. Sleeping on your back can block your airway. Try to fall asleep on your side instead and use a pillow if needed. It may relieve some symptoms.
There are several components to a sleep apnea diagnosis including a physical examination, a complete review of your medical history and a review of your family history. After taking all this information, your family doctor may send you to see a sleep specialist. This doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, and he will quite likely order a sleep study.
Always bring your CPAP along whenever you travel. If you have sleep apnea, you need to use your CPAP every night. A travel bag with good padding probably came with your machine. Use this to easily transport your CPAP with you whenever you are away from home.
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. Wedge a pillow in place to keep your body resting on your side while sleeping.
People that have sleep apnea need the help of a doctor. Different people find relief through different forms of treatment. Dropping some pounds might help your sleep apnea, but that might not be the cause. A CPAP machine has provided relief for millions of people. Some people with severe sleep apnea will have surgery to get rid of the tissue that blocks the airway. Whatever you do, it will help.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine when you sleep, ask your doctor to also prescribe a heated humidifier. Moist, warm air can be an effective way to make sure that you use your CPAP machine by making it more comfortable. Your physician can help you select a full-featured CPAP machine that includes an on-board humidifier.
Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse, so try to fall asleep on your side. One way to keep yourself off your back while you sleep is to sew a pocket into the back of your pajamas and tuck something lumpy into it (a tennis ball is ideal). That will make it uncomfortable to sleep on your back.
People that have sleep apnea can benefit from learning to play a wind instrument. In studies, wind instruments have proven beneficial to reducing the symptoms associated with sleep apnea. This new method will help you control your airways.
Oral appliances designed to encourage proper jaw position can help treat many sleep apnea cases. Some people have jaws that are too small or oddly shaped which makes it hard for air to flow freely. These devices realign the jaw much the same way that braces do the teeth.
Make sure you don’t back sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleeping in this position increases the odds that your airways will collapse at some point, which will cause sleep apnea. If you do have sleep apnea then it’s wise to go bed on your side. Gravity won’t have as much of an effect on you then.
When you have sleep apnea, the obstruction occurs in your throat and not in your nasal passages. Therefore, strengthening your throat muscles can help to reduce your apnea episodes. Specific exercises and the regular use of your throat muscles may strengthen them and help relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Continue to talk to your doctor, even after your initial diagnosis. The doctor can help you by providing plenty of information on how to treat your condition. Evaluate the effectiveness of any new sleep apnea treatments before your next doctor’s appointment.
When you are always tired, sleep apnea becomes a bigger problem. This problem may be reduced when you sleep on a schedule. Schedule a certain time of night for sleep, and set an alarm to wake up at the same time every morning. In this way, you can avoid exacerbating your sleep apnea to complete insomnia.
The technical definition of sleep apnea is not having enough oxygen while you sleep. Since this is the case, it’s wise for someone suffering from sleep apnea to not sleep at higher elevations. Since there is less oxygen higher up, it can really have an impact of those afflicted. If at all possible, avoid sleeping at higher elevations.
Minimize alcohol use, particularly before bedtime. Alcohol can make a lot of disorders regarding sleep much worse, including sleep apnea. Alcohol relaxes your muscles and makes it harder to breath while you sleep. It can also prevent you from waking up when you stop breathing. That can be deadly.
Find a support group online to join. Sleep apnea doesn’t affect lots of people. You might have the support of your loved ones, yet they may not actually understand what is going on. Look for a group to help you talk about your sleep apnea. If you also suffer from shyness, find an online forum to get useful information and share experiences with fellow patients.
If you, a friend, or a family member has experienced poor sleep and excessive tiredness for a long period of time, it’s time to consult a doctor. Quit suffering needlessly and get a proper diagnosis. Share the information here with others, and if you are the sufferer, ask your doctor about what you have read here.
