Sleep apnea is something that not many sufferers realize they have, mainly because it can vary in how much it affects each individual. This disorder occurs when the airway partially collapses during sleep, and this hinders a person’s ability to breathe properly. For more information about this harmful and even fatal condition, keep reading.
If your sleep apnea is the result of narrow airways, try using a mouth guard when you sleep. Mouth guards help you breathe more throughout the night, which will reduce sleep apnea symptoms from arising. If this sounds like a solution worth pursuing, discuss the matter with your doctor and schedule a fitting for a guard of your own.
Ask your doctor for advice about what CPAP machine you should get. The size of the machine and the loudness are both things that need to be considered. Certain CPAPs are tinier than bread boxes and are barely heard. A doctor will be able to give advice on machines that they know their patients have had very good luck with.
To help you deal with sleep apnea ask your doctor about how you can deal with it. Size and noise are both things to factor into your decision. There are some machines that are quiet and small. Your doctor can recommend which machines his patients have had the most success with.
Talk to your physician about the possibility of a mouth piece to correct your sleep. There may be genetic reasons you suffer from sleep apnea. Your airway may be naturally thin or your jaw may interfere with breathing during sleep. Corrective devices can improve your jaw alignment at night and increase your rest quality.
Reduce your consumption of alcohol. Alcohol relaxes your muscles in a way that harms your breathing. That may be something people like when they drink, but it also can cause sleep apnea. If you are sleeping and have been drinking too close to bedtime, this can be a dangerous combination while you are asleep. If drinking is an important part of your life, restrict the amount of alcohol you consume and drink it earlier in the day.
You need to lose some weight if you find that you are too heavy for your frame. Although it might not be the main cause, being overweight makes sleep apnea worse. If you are obese, even just losing twenty pounds can significantly improve sleep apnea symptoms.
Even children can suffer from sleep apnea. You can usually notice a child with sleep apnea when they are hyperactive, inattentive, hostile, irritable and see them continuously breathing through their mouth. Since these symptoms mimic ADHD, it’s important to have your child seen by a physician.
Are you using a CPAP for your sleep apnea? If so, then you should try to utilize it a minimum of four hours per night. Going to bed with a CPAP machine humming away is certainly an adjustment that can be a challenge for some. Nonetheless, it will not be effective unless you wear it for a minimum of 4 hours nightly. As you become more accustomed to the sleep mask, you should be able to wear it longer.
Many people don’t realize that sleep apnea is not something to ignore and can be potentially dangerous if left untreated. If you think you may have it, talk to a doctor immediately. When you are officially diagnosed, you are going to be referred to a sleep specialist. You may even have to take a sleep test at home with a monitor to fully discover the depth of your symptoms.
If you can, sleep on one of your sides. Sleeping on your back is attributed to a lot of people who suffer with sleep apnea. When you sleep on your back it can cause your throat and mouth tissues to impede your airways. It’s easier to breathe when looking to the side. If you have trouble staying off of your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your sleeping clothes. This will help you stay on your side while you’re sleeping.
It’s best to lay on your side to sleep when you have sleep apnea. A lot of people who have sleep apnea are back sleepers. Sleeping flat on your back may cause your throat and mouth tissues to obstruct your airways. Sleeping sideways facilitates breathing. You may want to prop yourself up with pillows so you stay on your side.
Do not take sleeping pills if you have sleep apnea. The muscles in your airway may become too relaxed. Sleeping pills could cause injury or death if your sleep apnea is particularly severe. It can be difficult to stay asleep when you have sleep apnea, but you need to use other methods, such as a CPAP.
Always have your CPAP machine with you while you sleep, even if it happens to be during a hospital stay. Whether the hospital stay is a planned one or it’s just an emergency room visit, always bring along the CPAP machines just in case you need to stay for awhile. The machine is pre-set to your specifications and you have the benefit of wearing the mask you are already familiar with. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
If you have a stuffy nose, use a saline spray or neti pot. You will get relief from this for a little while. Don’t use it over a long duration because it can cause problems. Always speak with your pharmacist to make sure you choose the product that is right for you.
If you are not getting relief from your sleep apnea treatment methods, consult your physician for more serious options. The removal of loose tissue at the back of the throat is one surgical technique that is a last resort treatment for severe sleep apnea that can’t be controlled with other less invasive treatments.
Consider trying devices that reduce snoring. When the airway is closed but still allows a little air through, that’s when snoring is most probable; in sleep apnea, the airways are almost fully closed. One device can help with both. If you have a machine to help with snoring it can help with apnea.
A good way to help your sleep apnea might be to shed some extra weight. A lot of people find that if they shed weight they will help the apnea. Even a little weight loss can improve the symptoms of sleep apnea and cause the airways and throat to open up more.
Minimize the risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Certain risk factors that are associated with the condition cannot be controlled, such as being a man or having a family history of it. However, you can limit many others, like excessive weight, smoking or alcohol consumption.
You can actually reduce your sleep apnea symptoms by practicing a few simple tongue exercises. Press your entire tongue up inside your mouth, and hold it there for at least a few minutes. This will help strengthen weak tongue and throat muscles so that they don’t slip back and block your airway while you sleep so easily.
Sleep apnea will not disappear all by itself, you must have it treated. Different treatment options work well for some people, but not others. One thing that can help you is losing weight, another is how you position yourself in your sleep. The CPAP machine has been a very successful option for millions, and it does not involve any invasive procedures. Others prefer surgery to relieve their sleep apnea. Regardless of the method you use, obtaining some type of treatment is essential to living a higher quality of life with this condition.
Do not let your condition, treatment or even your CPAP machine embarrass you. Make it clear that it is necessary and don’t allow those in your life to make you feel embarrassed when using it. Your health is the most important thing you should be focusing on, not wasting time on what others think of your machine. It’s quite possible they may find themselves with sleep apnea at some point in their own lives.
Play a woodwind instrument. You will get several benefits: learning how to exercise the muscles used in breathing, broadening your intellect, and playing music that you enjoy. 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.
Try learning how to play a musical instrument. The music is soothing, and a recent German study has revealed that playing any wind instrument drastically calms sleep apnea symptoms. Mastering this music form means you can retain control of your respiratory system.
Don’t feel any shame about necessary treatments for sleep apnea, including lugging around your CPAP device. Be forthright about your need for it, and don’t worry about having to use it around other people. Keep in mind that using your CPAP machine is in your best interest, and if anyone makes fun of you, you should probably find better friends.
Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. Your apnea will worsen if you sleep on your back because your airways are more likely to collapse in that position. Sleeping on your back is the worst possible position for people who suffer from sleep apnea.
Let the airline company know far in advance when you plan on traveling and you have to take your CPAP machine with you. Most airlines will be willing to make arrangements to have you seated where you will have enough room to use your machine. If flying on a foreign plane, remember to bring along a power adapter.
Try staying away from going to bed on your back when you have a sleep apnea condition. You are more likely to have apnea during your sleep if you are on your back because your airway can close up more easily in this position. This is why sleeping on your side is the best option, that way nothing gets in your way.
Snoring and sleep apnea can be soothed by playing a musical instrument. This can significantly help you get through the night without bothering other people with your heavy snoring. This will help clear your airways.
Many people who sleep on their back typically experience sleep apnea. Anyone who has sleep apnea would be better off not sleeping on their back. It has been proven that side sleeping helps alleviate sleep apnea so you can get some rest.
Those who suffer from sleep apnea may need to consider a simpler solution for their problem. Target a specific time for bed and be consistent with it nightly. Also make sure that you have bedroom atmosphere that is ideal for you to sleep in. If you don’t set up your room correctly, you may not be able to sleep.
Do not drink any alcohol immediately prior going to bed. Alcohol causes your palate and tongue relax toward the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway. You do not have to stop drinking, just do not do it before you go to sleep.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, try sleeping in a position other than on your back. Many sleeping difficulties, like airway blockages, are caused or exacerbated by lying on your back when you sleep. Sleeping on your back is the worst possible position for people who suffer from sleep apnea.
Surgery might be necessary to remove excess tissue from your uvula, palate or pharynx to relieve your apnea. This surgery, called UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) gets rid of the additional tissue, thus, opening your airway and getting rid of the sleep apnea. Even this simple surgery has some risks so ensure that you are aware of all potential outcomes.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you understand how this condition affects you. If you feel you need additional information, it is advisable you seek out a medical professional who can give you further advice on how to properly treat this condition.
