Don’t panic if you suffer from sleep apnea. Even though there are serious consequences to your health from sleep apnea, living a comfortable life is possible when treated the right way. You need to learn all you can about this condition though, and this article focuses on just that.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol and smoking are very bad for the condition. Drinking affects the respiratory system. Smoking inserts carcinogens into the lungs, which eventually damages them. Doing away with both of these bad habits will help do away with your sleep apnea symptoms.
Excessive weight can be a major contributor to sleep apnea for many people.
You must consider both the size of your machine and volume of the device before you decide to get one. Some machines are smaller than a bread box and are quiet. Your doctor should be able to point you to good CPAP manufacturers.
Do you have a smoking or drinking habit? Get rid of behaviors that are not good for you. Your airways are significantly affected by smoking and drinking. Alcohol relaxes some throat muscles to the point that sleep apnea becomes worse. Cigarettes also cause you to have difficulty breathing. If it is not possible for you to quit cold turkey, then try not to smoke or drink immediately before bedtime.
If your physician has prescribed a CPAP machine, you should at least use it four hours every night. Some people have a lot of trouble getting used to CPAP masks in their sleep.If you are having difficulty adjusting to it at first, then ensure you are using it at least four hours a night.
Do not consume as much alcohol often.Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your body to lose their tension. Although many users find this to be one of the benefits of drinking, it actually just worsens it. Alcohol has an effect on throat muscles and it can make it difficult to keep the air passage open. If drinking is an important part of your life, avoid drinking it 3 hours before bedtime.
Some people give up using the CPAP machine they have been prescribed and this is not a good move. Use it for at least four hours each night, until you become used to it in full. Sleeping while using a CPAP can be difficult to adjust to at first, but it is not impossible. Good health over the long term is what is important, and you need to build up the amount of time you use it until you can use it throughout the night. Ease your way towards your four hour CPAP goal, even if you find the experience difficult to get used to.
Sleep Apnea
It is not uncommon for children to suffer from sleep apnea. If you child seems to be distracted in class, such as chronic irritability, and is breathing through his mouth, then he may have sleep apnea. This may mimic ADHD, but you should have your doctor check out the possibility of sleep apnea to know for sure.
Don’t drink a lot of alcohol. Alcohol relaxes the muscles too much. Although many people desire this side-effect of alcohol, it is not beneficial to people with sleep apnea. Your throat muscles may be affected, causing breathing difficulties. Try your best to limit your drinking if you do decide to have alcohol, and try to not have any right before bed.
Sleep on their side during sleep. Sleeping on your back can obstruct your airway more prone to collapse. Try to fall asleep on one of your sides to see if that improves your symptoms get better.
You will record the time you go to sleep and wake up, as well as symptoms that occur. Your partner can often say if you jerk limbs around, jerk your limbs, or snore loudly. This will allow your doctor determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. It doesn’t matter whether your hospital visit is planned or an emergency, your CPAP should be there with you, along with your mask. 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 familiar equipment eases the strangeness of being in the hospital, and helps you sleep more restfully.
If you are using a CPAP, make certain to always have medical ID on your person.
Sleep Apnea
Weight loss is an effective tactic in combating sleep apnea in many cases. There are a number of people who only need to lose a few pounds to entirely stop their sleep apnea episodes. Loosing even a little weight can allow you to breathe more freely and get a good night’s sleep.
Sleep apnea will not go away on its own; patients need treatment. Some treatments will work better for people and some do not. One thing that can help you is losing weight, but there are thin people who suffer from sleep apnea as well. Some other options include CPAP machine or a simple mouth guard designed for sleep apnea sufferers works for them. Some people do best by having surgery over any other types of sleep apnea alleviation methods. Choose whichever method you think will work for you so you may begin to live a happier and most restful life.
If you become anxious about your sleep apnea, soak in a bath before bedtime each night. Taking a hot bath can help with relax you and alleviate some of your muscles. This leaves you ready for a restful night’s sleep and stay asleep rather than having constant sleep apnea incident.
If nasal dryness or congestion is an issue, try a nasal spray. This should help clear any blockages in the airways for a couple of nights. Avoid using this product for more than a few days because it may irritate the delicate tissues in your nose. Visit your pharmacy to see what your options are for keeping your nasal passages open as you sleep.
Throat exercises can help with 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 onto it for about three minutes before releasing. Try doing this at least once every day.
When sleep apnea is not addressed properly, your health can be jeopardized. As you can now see, there are things you can do to treat it. Use what you have learned in this article, and bring up the topic with a medical professional so that you can stay in good health.
Weight loss can make a huge difference in sleep apnea symptoms. If you are overweight it is more common that you might have sleep apnea. Losing weight can reduce pressure on the airways and cause better airflow when breathing at night.