Sleep apnea can be a dangerous medical problem that affects people of any age. This article will give you advice about sleep apnea so that you can control your symptoms and get a good night’s sleep.
If you’re having a problem with sleep apnea and are a smoker or a drinker, you may find that quitting can help you immensely. Alcohol relaxes the tongue and throat muscles, which can cause them to block your airway; smoking inflames the airway, causing it to narrow. Both of these habits can cause snoring and apnea. Unlike costly surgeries or other medical interventions, dropping these habits will actually save you money.
Excessive weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea.
Get a mouth guard if your airways are the cause of your sleep at night. These devices correct your airways and facilitate breathing.
You really should cut down on your alcohol consumption. Alcohol relaxes your muscles in a way that harms your breathing. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. Your throat muscles are relaxed by alcohol, making it harder to breathe at night. If you are a person who needs a drink sometimes, then aim to not drink it very frequently. Definitely do not drink any immediately before hitting the sheets at night.
Do you partake in a smoking or drinking habit? These types of substances can really harm your airways. If you do not want to quit, then at least limit yourself before going to bed.
Many people with sleep apnea sleep on their backs. Sleeping on your back can cause constriction of the tissues in your mouth and throat to block your airway. Sleeping on one’s side makes breathing significantly easier. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try a wedge pillow.
Sleep with your body perpendicular to the bed. Often, sleep apnea sufferers rest while on their backs. Your airway can become obstructed if you sleep on your back. Sleeping sideways facilitates breathing. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try propping yourself up with pillows.
Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills are bad to take for people with sleep apnea is your problem. Sleeping pills can make your throat muscles and with your airways from functioning properly.These can cause more harm than good, especially when tempted to try and get a good night’s sleep.
Your physician may want you to write in a log or journal about your sleep, in order to check to see if you have sleep apnea. Keep track of how many hours you’re sleeping the entire night and any symptoms you have. If you sleep with another person, they’ll be able to help you keep track of snoring, interruptions in breathing, or jerking of your limbs. That helps the physician determine whether your symptoms are, in fact, sleep apnea.
You would record your total hours of sleep each night, and mentioning other symptoms too. Your partner can best inform you if your sleep involves jerking limbs, quit breathing or jerk your limbs. This can help a medical professional see patterns in your doctor figure out if you’ve got sleep habits.
If you are using a CPAP, then ensure a medical ID is carried with you at all times.
If you have sleep apnea, you can improve your symptoms by exercising your throat muscles. Difficulty in breathing causes sleep apnea, which is a result of your soft tissue collapsing in your throat. When your muscles strengthen, they won’t collapse so easily, and your airway will stay clear.
An excellent way to help lessen the effects of sleep apnea is by losing some weight. A number of people find that shedding excess pounds is enough to resolve sleep apnea all by itself. Even a little weight loss can help your sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep Apnea
Take up a wind instrument. You can pick up a new skill, but more than that you are able to exercise and learn to control the very muscles that have to do with breathing. When you’re using these instruments, you end up strengthening the muscles which can aid you while sleeping, minimizing the sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep apnea does not magically disappear; patients will need to get it treated. Some treatments work 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 machines or a simple mouth guard designed for sleep apnea sufferers works for them. Some people do prefer surgery over any other types of sleep apnea. Choose the route which best meets your needs since getting treatment can lead to a happier and comfortable life.
Some great tongue exercises can help alleviate many sleep apnea.
Continue to talk to your doctor, even after your initial diagnosis. Your physician should provide you with ongoing support and treatment. It’s a good idea to stop in for a doctor’s visit after you’ve tried a new treatment for your sleep apnea in order to discuss its effectiveness.
Don’t try to hide the fact that you have to use a CPAP machine.
People who snore or have sleep apnea may benefit if they learn to play a musical instrument. This will help clear your problem.
If the sleep apnea problem you are dealing with is due to excess tissue blocking your airways and throat, then surgery may be necessary to remedy this situation. UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) is a surgical procedure that is done to clear airways of extra tissue and matter, maximizing the space within and probably taking care of the problem. You should know that this involves removal of your tonsils as well.
Unexplained Sleepiness
Remember that you aren’t always going to notice your apnea in the evening. If you experience unexplained sleepiness, sleepiness, or you’re falling asleep when you drive, discuss these symptoms with your doctor. Your unexplained sleepiness may mean sleep apnea even if you don’t know you gasp for air every night.
Keep consistent with your treatments. Even if it is difficult to abide by your doctor’s instructions, you must do so in order to improve your sleeping disorder. Therefore, always perform the treatments your doctor recommends every night in order to sleep good and function properly the next day.
It bears stating once again that sleep apnea is an extremely common condition with millions of sufferers. The possibly worst part of suffering from this is not knowing enough about it. Apply what you’ve learned from this article, and you’ll be on your way to controlling your condition.