A lot of people assume that it’s okay to go months where they are tired every day. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sleep apnea might be the cause of sleeping problems and it can be a dangerous condition.
Drop some of your vices to fight against sleep apnea. Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the primary culprits. Alcohol depresses your nervous system and makes it harder to breathe, particularly when you are asleep. Smoking damages all parts of your airways. Letting these habits go can reduce your symptoms and make sleeping easier.
Speak with your doctor about getting a mouth piece that will help you breathe better. You could have an overbite, recessed chin, or narrow breathing passage that worsens your sleep apnea symptoms. You will get better rest if you wear a custom mouth guard that aligns your jaw properly while sleeping.
One way to see for yourself is to train a video camera on yourself. The video should also contain audio to listen for any noises.
Depending on the condition that is causing your sleep apnea, you may be able to find a simple tool to improve your sleep. Using these guards encourages proper jaw alignment and helps keep the breathing passages fully open while you sleep. Talk to your physician about these, and get a fitting if you two think it might work.
This inconspicuous piece of cloth will keep your chin up when sleeping so that your mouth from gaping open. Try this out to keep your mouth.
Sleep Apnea
Do you smoke and drink alcohol? Break these unhealthy habits right away. These items can harm your airways. Alcohol relaxes your airways, and tobacco causes it to swell. If you can’t completely eliminate these habits, try avoiding them prior to bed.
An excellent method of sleep apnea is by losing weight. A number of patients have found that if they shed weight they will help the apnea. Even a little weight loss can help your sleep apnea and cause the airways and throat to open up more.
Although you should visit your doctor to become diagnosed, you can try certain things yourself. Quitting smoking and losing weight are great for anyone, particularly those that have sleep apnea. You will definitely want to stay away from alcohol and caffeine, caffeine or heavy meals within a couple hours of going to bed.
If you’re using a CPAP, use it a minimum of four hours nightly. Going to bed with a CPAP machine humming away is certainly an adjustment that can be a challenge for some. However, it needs to be used for four hours each night for it to be effective. Try two hours at first if you must. The next week you should increase that amount to 4 hours. In the end, you should never use it less than 4 hours per night on a permanent basis.
Avoid alcohol when you are a sleep apnea. Alcohol consumption relaxes throat and can block your passages. If you are going to drink, avoid all alcohol or make sure not to drink at all at least 4 hours before bedtime. You need to do this to ensure that your sleeping patterns.
Learn to play one of the wind instrument. This will be not only fun, it will also help you excercise the muscles responsible for your breathing control.
Make sure your CPAP comes with you when you need to go to the hospital. Whether the stay is for a planned surgery or sudden emergency, make sure you have access to your CPAP for the duration of your stay. 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.
You should not be embarrassed of your diagnosis or your CPAP therapy.
People who snore or even those who have sleep apnea can benefit from learning to play a wind instrument. This will help you control your airways.
Look for devices that help to alleviate snoring. Sleep apnea occurs when air passages are totally obstructed, but snoring is the result of majority closure where air still gets through what is left. It is understandable that something can help this. Using a device that reduces your snoring will help you sleep better.
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 sleep apnea symptoms. This will help you ready for a restful night’s sleep and stay asleep rather than having constant sleep apnea incident.
Mitigate the risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Be aware that certain risk factors, like gender and genes, cannot be changed. Being overweight, drinking, smoking and weak throat muscles can all bring on sleep apnea.
Remember that you may not always notice sleep apnea. If you’re having difficulty in staying awake during the day, especially while you are behind the wheel, then it’s best that you consult with a doctor. Your unexplained sleepiness may mean sleep apnea even if you don’t know you gasp for air every night.
Throat exercises can decrease the symptoms of sleep apnea. These exercises help to strengthen the muscles that surround the airway, which makes them less prone to collapsing. One good exercise involves pressing your tongue onto the bony palate of the mouth and holding it for three minutes before releasing. Try doing this at least once every day.
Weight loss can have a major impact on those with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is common to those that have large necks or that are overweight. Weight loss makes a big difference in the amount of pressure put on your airways and can improve your breathing.
Sleep Apnea
If you believe that you’re suffering from sleep apnea, arrange to have a sleep test with your family physician. This type of test can determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea and how severe it is. Even if you’re experiencing relatively mild sleep apnea, so formulating a treatment plan is your next step.
Sleep apnea will not magically disappear; patients will need to get it treated. Different people find relief through different forms of treatment. A good way to help with sleep apnea symptoms is by losing weight; but it can also occur in people who are very thin, too. Some other options include CPAP machines or other devices. Some people find that they do best by having surgery that will help alleviate their symptoms. Working with your doctor to identify the best approach for your apnea issues will increase your opportunity to live a healthy and well-rested life.
With the information you’ve gained here, you can better deal with your condition. Being tired all the time is not normal, and you do not need to suffer in silence.