Those who have sleep apnea frequently look for treatments that work. Research is the ideal way for finding help with treatment. You’ll have a better understanding of the different treatment options available to you once you take a look at the suggestions presented below.
Depending on the condition that is causing your sleep apnea, you may be able to find a simple tool to improve your sleep. This opens up your airways, letting you breathe fully while you sleep. Mouth guards and sleep masks must be properly fitted in order to help improve apnea.
Going to bed on your side can be something you can do to help you get better rest if you have sleep apnea. Your air passages are more likely to suffer obstruction when you sleep on your back. Make a point of falling to sleep on your side and see if that doesn’t alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms tonight.
Speak with a doctor about using corrective mouth pieces to control your symptoms of sleep apnea. You might possess an airway that is naturally narrow, or you might have a recessed chin or small jaw. All of these can make the symptoms of sleep apnea seem more pronounced. There are a number of different devices to correct for these issues. Simply aligning your jaw may be all that is necessary.
Try to avoid sleeping pills. Just like alcohol, taking sleeping pills will make your throat muscles relax. There are also a myriad of other problems that can arise with the use of sleeping pills. Consult with your doctor about what you should take besides sleeping pills.
Eating healthy can help you manage sleep apnea and lose weight. Most people would find it surprising to know that your diet can be a factor in managing sleep apnea. It has been shown through many studies that people who eat a poor diet usually suffer with worse sleep apnea than someone who is just overweight but manages to still eat somewhat healthier.
A good physical exam, and a look at your family history, can quite often easily determine sleep apnea’s presence. In addition, sleep studies could be performed. Afterwards, depending on the results, your doctor could refer a sleep specialist to you. A sleep specialist is a doctor who treats those with sleep problems.
Sleep apnea can be a serious disorder. If you suspect that you or a loved one has it, it’s important to make an appointment with a physician to talk to them about it soon. Once you know whether or not you have it for sure, you can figure out how to deal with it.
It is hard to know whether or not you are having difficulty breathing at night if you sleep alone. Using a simple camcorder while you sleep can give you the information you need. Make sure the video has sound as well, so that your doctor can hear your breathing.
Consider any alternative you can find to using sleeping pills. Similar to alcohol, sleeping pills will relax your throat and airways to an undesirable extent. They also can cause other harmful issues to make your sleep apnea worse. Consult with your practitioner to see what you can do to get to sleep without putting your breathing patterns at risk.
Make sure you don’t take any sleeping pills after you find out you suffer from sleep apnea. You will relax your throat muscles this way and you will not get as much from your sleep. Though they may help you sleep, you need the ability to wake should your airway colse too much.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed after a thorough medical examination. You might also undergo a sleep study. Dependent upon what your personal physician discovers, they might give you a referral to see a sleep specialist.
A medical ID is a must for those being assisted by a CPAP machine. You don’t need people questioning you and your device all the time, so it makes it easier when you bring your medical ID. Medical cards are available to describe your condition, the treatment you use and the level of treatment required to control your sleep apnea.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not take pills. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Having a bad sleep apnea case could make these pills a dangerous option. It may be tempting to use these pills to sleep better, but it’s not worth the risk.
Take your CPAP along whenever you are embarking on an overnight trip. CPAP therapy can have an extremely positive effect on your sleep apnea, but it relies on constant, continual use to be effective. You should have a travel bag for your machine. Any time that you need to sleep overnight while traveling, you should keep your CPAP machine in your sleeping quarters.
If you need to stay at a hospital for any reason, remember to pack your CPAP machine. If your stay is planned or an emergency, you will need your CPAP device either way. It already has your pressure settings dialed in, and your mask is something your used to wearing at night. This will make continuing your CPAP therapy much more tolerable.
If you are using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea, be sure to take it when you’re going to the hospital. Your CPAP and your mask should be with you for both planned stays and trips to an emergency room. Since the settings are already set to what you’re used to, and the mask that you use each night is there, it makes it much easier to use at the hospital. All of this will mean much better sleep for you with your CPAP, if you need hospitalization for any length of time.
If your current treatment options are not cutting it, speak to a doctor about additional techniques that may be suitable. For people who did not benefit from traditional treatment alternatives, they can resort to surgery to take out the tonsils or to make the airway wider.
Sleep apnea symptoms can be worse if you also have allergies or other sinus related issues. You already find it hard to breathe during the night because of your symptoms. You don’t want to have anything else that hinders your breathing while you sleep. By treating your allergies or sinus problems, you will be more likely to get a full night’s rest and have energy for the day.
A good way to help your sleep apnea might be to shed some extra weight. Weight loss alone can be an effective treatment for those with mild sleep apnea. Losing even just five pounds can make your sleep apnea symptoms go away.
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea might want to consider losing weight as a means to relieve the symptoms. For people who are overweight, sleep apnea is much more prevalent especially people with a larger neck circumference. When you lose a few extra pounds you reduce the pressure on your airway and breathing becomes easier.
Sleep apnea will not magically disappear; patients will need to get it treated. There are a variety of treatments that you can do, but they take time to work. Weight loss can ease sleep apnea for many people, even though apnea can be experienced by thin people too. Although surgery may be required to relieve your sleep apnea, many non-surgical options are available. Some people find that they do best by having surgery that will help alleviate their symptoms. Whichever route you choose, getting proper treatment can improve your sleep and your life.
You need to have patience when you realize you have sleep apnea. Each patient is different and what works for one person may not work for another. For some, weight loss can help, but even slender people can suffer from sleep apnea. One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea are CPAP machines, which force air into the lungs while you sleep. Some prefer surgery when dealing with sleep apnea. The key is to find the treatment that fits your individual solution and then sticking with it so that you can gain control of your life again.
Exercise your tongue and minimize sleep apnea symptoms. Try pressing your tongue to the top of your mouth and holding it there for a minimum of three minutes. This strengthens the muscles throughout the airway passage and minimizes the likelihood of them interfering with breathing and sleep.
Spending time exercising your throat muscles may significantly increase the complications of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the tissues in your throat collapse into the airways, which ends up obstructing your breathing. The muscles will slowly become stronger, which means that they won’t collapse as often when you sleep, which in turn improves airflow.
Stronger throat muscles may help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Relaxed or excessive tissue can obstruct air passages and make breathing difficult. Stronger muscles mean a less likelihood of the the airways becoming blocked.
How you sleep influences how many times sleep apnea will strike on a given night. That’s why you need to sleep in an optimal position. Elevate your body by placing a foam wedge under it. An alternative method is to angle your bed so that the head is approximately four inches above the foot.
Don’t binge drink if you have sleep apnea. When you drink alcohol, your throat becomes excessively relaxed. This can cause snoring, airway blockage and sleep apnea. Limit drink consumption to no more than two or quit drinking completely prior to bed. Limiting your alcohol consumption will increase your chances of getting a lot of good rest.
When going on long trips, inform the airline that you need to take your CPAP machine if you use one. They will usually accommodate you by giving you a seat where you can easily get to your machine. Also, don’t forget the power adapter you will need if you are booked with a foreign airline.
Anyone who has sleep apnea, or even just snores, might want to think about picking up an instrument. It is not only soothing, but in a German trial study, it was proven that playing the Didgeridoo or any wind instrument can drastically calm sleep apnea symptoms. Any instrument that strengthens your airway muscles can improve your breathing at night.
Even though you may not be aware of your sleep apnea, anyone who sleeps with you probably is aware of it. Waking up gasping for air makes a lot of noise, but it may not wake you up completely. Your symptoms may mean sleep apnea even if you don’t know you gasp for air every night.
Sleep apnea can trigger anxiety. If you have that too, try taking a bath prior to bed each night. Warming yourself up with a bath gets rid of the tension in your muscles and helps you relax. As a result, sleep is likely to come easier, and you are more likely to get a solid night of rest instead of one interrupted constantly by apnea flare-ups.
Every person diagnosed with sleep apnea knows what it is like trying to find a treatment that works for them. Knowledge is the single most powerful and broadly applicable weapon in the battle against this irritating and potentially debilitating condition. Use the information learned today as a guide to help you locate the best way to remedy this sleep apnea by finding a solution that works best for you.
