Sleep apnea is frequently undiagnosed and has a variety of consequences. This disorder is caused by partial collapse of the airways, making breathing difficult. Read this article to learn more about this worrisome and sometimes deadly condition.
Extra weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea. So if you have sleep apnea, and you are overweight, then try to shed some of those extra pounds. Following a reasonable weight loss plan and exercising is essential. Some studies suggest that limiting carbohydrate intake can lead to weight loss, as well.
A common reason that a lot of people have problems with sleep apnea is due to excessive weight.
Lose some weight if you need to. Studies show that sleep apnea and obesity. If you slim down, even shedding 25 pounds can provide a drastic improvement in your symptoms.
Do you smoke or drink alcoholic beverages? If you suffer from sleep apnea, quit smoking and cut down on your alcohol consumption. Alcohol and tobacco both cause airway problems. Alcohol relaxes your airways, and tobacco causes it to swell. If you do not want to quit, just do not do it before laying down to sleep.
Have a mouth guard made for your needs. These guards are designed for sleep apnea. It provides a more comfortable alternative to using a CPAP machine. The device assists in opening up your airways and stabilizing the soft tissue.
If you’re using a CPAP, make an honest effort to use it at least four hours a night. It is hard for some patients to become accustomed to using the CPAP. If you’re struggling to adjust, use it for only 4 hours at a go.
Moderate your alcohol intake. When drinking alcoholic beverages, it will relax your muscles. If the throat muscles are too relaxed, they can collapse and block your airway. If you must drink, keep it to just a few, and stop drinking well before bedtime. This will keep your throat muscles from relaxing excessively. If you feel you must drink, try not to do it as often or before you go to sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Eating healthily can reduce your weight and relieve sleep apnea. A lot of people are surprised to learn how their poor diet can affect sleep apnea. People that eat healthy food have the worst sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is not to be taken lightly. If you suspect you may have it, it is important to see your doctor right away. In the process of fully diagnosing your condition, you may be able to consult with a sleep specialist. Home sleep tests with portable monitors are also often used to pinpoint sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can be present in adults or children; there is no age limit. If you child seems to be distracted in class, active, and is breathing through his mouth, you might be looking at a case of sleep apnea. These symptoms can be similar to those of ADHD, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis because treatments for these two disorders are quite different.
Sleep apnea has the potential for being a significant disorder. If you notice some of the warning signs, talk to a physician as soon as you can.
Try to avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar in a way to alcohol because they may relax the muscles in your throat. They can also cause a significant number of additional complications for sleep apnea patients. There are ways to get to sleep that won’t have a negative effect on your breathing; ask your doctor for advice.
You might consider video recording your sleep patterns with a camcorder. The video should also contain audio to listen for any noises.
Sleep Apnea
Avoid sleeping pills when you find out you realize you are diagnosed with 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.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and intend to travel at all, remember to bring the CPAP machine along. You never should go a single night without the CPAP if you have sleep apnea.Most CPAP machines come with a travel bag that they can be transported safely in. You can use it to carry your CPAP easily and safely anytime you away from home.
If nothing is working to better your sleep apnea, you may want to talk to a doctor about more radical treatments. 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, adenoid removal or airway enlargement as their last resort.
Your doctor might ask you to write down when you sleep and wake. All hours slept or spent awake should be recorded. You can ask your spouse or a family member to let you know you how often you snore at night. Your doctor will then be able to tell if you suffer from sleep apnea.
Try using a device marketed to help with snoring. Snoring is caused by your airways being blocked with minor airflow, and apnea is fully-closed airways. It makes sense to have a device that something can help this. Your sleep apnea may benefit from the use of an anti-snoring aid.
You can reduce the risk factors for sleep apnea symptoms you are experiencing. Some sleep apnea risk factors (like genetic predisposition or being a man) are unable to be altered. However, you can limit many others, like being overweight, a smoker or a heavy drinker.
If you have apnea, make an attempt to have a schedule for sleep. Your sleep apnea is already affecting your sleep. This is why it is important to maintain a consistent sleep pattern, which will eliminate sleepiness in the day. Setting regular times for both going to sleep and waking up is the most important thing to do.
You should never smoke if you are afflicted with sleep apnea. Many people find the most difficulty during the initial month.
Avoid alcohol when sleep apnea. Alcohol will relax your throat muscles beyond normality and will block an airway. If you are going to drink, avoid all alcohol or make sure not to drink at all at least 4 hours before bedtime. This will lessen the problem of alcohol interrupting your sleep.
Adding a chin strap to your CPAP routine can help to keep your mouth closed as you sleep. It is only a small fabric strap that keeps your chin in place so you can sleep with a closed mouth. Use this device to solve this annoying problem, as leaving it unfixed will make your CPAP therapy ineffective.
Sleep Apnea
Now that you have a better understanding of sleep apnea, you should feel more optimistic about your sleeping future. Your doctor can help you discover the underlying reasons for your sleep apnea and the best treatments for you.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and intend to travel at all, make sure you bring you CPAP in the luggage. You don’t want to sleep a single night without your CPAP after a sleep apnea diagnosis. Most machines come with a bag that they can be transported safely in. Use this to easily transport your CPAP with you whenever you are away from home.