Anyone who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea is well aware of the frustration and worry that comes along with the search for a cure forever. The key to finding relief is taking the time to research the subject as much as you can. If you study this advice you can learn a thing or two about living with sleep apnea.
Stop your destructive ways. Smoking and drinking can inflame your airways and make them swell. Drinking potentially causes extreme breathing issues because it reduces the ability of your respiratory system to function. Inflammation and narrowing of the air passages is extremely dangerous for those who suffer from sleep apnea. Quitting both of these habits completely will really alleviate your symptoms.
Get a mouth guard to help you sleep apnea.These devices are designed to correct your airways and they help you breathe properly during the night.
Sleep Apnea
Do you smoke or drink alcoholic beverages? Try to rid yourself of these horrible habits. Both of these substances have a negative effect on your ability to breathe while sleeping. Smoking causes swelling in the airway. On the other hand, alcohol causes the airway to relax, much like sleeping pills. If you are unable to completely eliminate these habits, try to at least refrain from them in the hours directly before bed.
Lose weight if you happen to be overweight and suffer from sleep apnea.Obesity is linked with sleep apnea according to certain studies. If you slim down, even just losing twenty pounds can significantly improve sleep apnea symptoms.
If your physician has prescribed a CPAP machine, try to wear it for about 4 hours every night. Some individuals have a really hard time sleeping with the device. If you have trouble adjusting to use it the full night, use it for only 4 hours at a go.
If you’re a sleep apnea sufferer undergoing CPAP treatment, don’t forget to take your machine along if you’re going to the hospital. Whether you have a planned hospitalization or you need to go to the emergency room, you should have your CPAP and mask available for use while you are there. You’re already comfortable with the mask you’re using, and your machine provides exactly the pressure setting you need. Having your equipment close by will make it easy to continue your treatment and improve your prognosis.
Many people with sleep apnea sleep looking straight up. Sleeping one one’s back may cause constriction of the throat muscles. Sleeping on your side is a better option.If you usually sleep on your back, try propping yourself on one side with pillows.
Your sleep condition already disrupting your condition. The first change you can do is to be sure you’re going to sleep and wake up each day.
If the solutions you have tried are not improving your ability to sleep soundly, then see your doctor to discuss more aggressive options. Some people have poor luck with typical sleep apnea treatments, and resort to a surgical treatment that entails the removal of the adenoids and tonsils, or the enlargement of the airway.
Cpap Machine
If you will be away from home and you’re suffering with sleep apnea, don’t forget to bring your CPAP machine along. You ought not to go a single night without your CPAP. You were probably provided a travel bag when you got your CPAP with you. This will help ease transporting your CPAP machine simply when not at home.
You might want to look into anti-snoring devices. Snoring occurs when air passages are almost closed, while sleep apnea occurs when air passages are completely closed. So, it makes sense that a device that helps with the former can help with the latter. Devices that reduce or eliminate snoring can lessen sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep apnea sufferers should treat their allergies or other sinus related issues. Sleep apnea causes enough difficulty breathing during sleep hard. You have anything else that is going to affect your breathing while you are asleep.
Try a device made to eliminate snoring. Snoring is caused by your airways being blocked with minor airflow, and apnea is fully-closed airways. It is understandable that will help both. Your sleep apnea can be curtailed some with the use of a stop snoring device.
Working out your tongue can help treat your sleep apnea symptoms. Place your tongue on your mouth’s roof and keep it there for at least three minutes. Doing this strengthens your tongue and the connective throat muscles; this in turn makes them less likely to relax at night and constrict your breathing passages.
You can reduce the effects of sleep apnea by doing exercises which strengthen the muscles in your throat muscles. Stronger muscles have more integrity and will not be as likely to collapse.
If you ever have the occasion to fly for travel and you have sleep apnea, call the airline you will be traveling with to ensure that you can bring your CPAP machine on the plane. The airline company is very accommodating and will designate an area for you in a convenient place to make using your machine easier. If you are flying a foreign airline, bring along a power adapter.
Remember that you need not feel embarrassed by your CPAP machine and your treatments. Your friends and family will understand when you explain to them that you suffer from sleep apnea. You also have to convince yourself that you need the machine. Your friends will understand if you explain why you use it.
Sleep Apnea
If sleep apnea is causing you anxiety, try taking a hot bath every night before bedtime.Taking a hot shower or bath can relieve the tension in your muscles. This will help you ready for a restful night’s sleep and decreases the risk of a sleep apnea interruptions.
How you sleep can affect your condition. That’s why you need to sleep in an optimal position. Lift your body up by using a foam wedge at the top of the bed. You could also try raising your head up about four inches.
Tying to find the right treatment may not be easy when you suffer from sleep apnea. To help deal with this terrible problem, it is very important you gain as much knowledge as you can about the condition. Use the information you’ve learned from the preceding paragraphs to start an effective treatment program that makes your suffering a thing of the past.