When you doctor informs you that sleep apnea is what may be causing your problems, then that can be somewhat scary to hear. Just keep in mind that many people have this serious disorder and have treated it effectively. This article will give you some hints on how you can better deal with it.
Drop your bad habits to relieve your sleep apnea. Smoking and drinking are some of the biggest offenders. Drinking suppresses your breathing and causes a lot of harm to your respiratory system. And when you smoke you inhale a bunch of carcinogens that can seriously damage your lungs. Doing away with both of these bad habits will help do away with your sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep Apnea
A common reason for sleep apnea to occur is increased weight. In this case, a person suffering from sleep apnea needs to lose this excess weight. Increasing exercise and reducing your total calorie intake can help to accomplish this. Reducing carbohydrate intake can help greatly, as well.
Your doctor or a sleep specialist can help you find the CPAP machine that is best suited for your needs and comfort. You should take the size and potential to make noise into consideration. Some machines can be quite small and be very quiet. Your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction of a capable machine.
Sleep Apnea
Try quitting smoking and drinking alcohol if you have sleep apnea. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. Unlike those medical interventions or pricey surgeries, eliminating these habits can save you money.
Look for other sleeping aids besides sleeping pills. Relaxed throat muscles (caused by alcohol consumption as well as sleep medication) can contribute to an increase in sleep apnea. They may also have other negative effects as well. Consult with your doctor about what you should take besides sleeping pills.
If you aren’t sleeping with a partner each night who can let you know of any irregularities in your sleeping patterns, it can be hard to know if you have this condition. Using a simple camcorder while you sleep can give you the information you need. Make sure to record any sounds you make so the doctor can hear them.
People who have sleep apnea should establish a sleeping schedule. Your condition is already disrupting your nightly sleep cycle. Whatever you are able to do to keep a regular sleep pattern will help you to be in better health and less exhausted during the day. You should go to bed at the same hour every single day.
Chin Strap
Use a chin strap if your mouth falls open as you sleep. The chin strap holds your chin so that you cannot sleep with your mouth open; it is a tiny piece of fabric. If you have your mouth open CPAP therapy isn’t going to work, so give this device a try to find out if it works.
Obesity is sometimes the root cause of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is far more frequent in obese individuals with bigger necks. Even a modest amount of weight loss can increase air flow and decrease airway pressure.
Of course, for a solid diagnosis of sleep apnea, you must see a doctor. Nonetheless, healthy, self-help techniques may help and won’t hurt. Quitting smoking and losing weight are great for anyone, but are even better for sleep apnea patients. You should stay away from alcohol, anything caffeinated and even heavier meals within the hours leading up to bed time.
Your sleep apnea can worsen from back sleeping, so try to sleep on your side. You can use something like pillows or blankets so that you will not want to sleep on your back. This makes it very uncomfortable to sleep while lying on your back.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea causes anxiety, so if you feel that way before bed, take a bath. A good hot bath is an excellent way to reduce tension and soothe away your aches and pains. By doing this, it will probably be easier to fall asleep, which will lead to a better night of sleep, rather than a night filled with constant interruptions from flare-ups of your sleep apnea.
Remember that you may not always notice sleep apnea in the evening. General daytime sleepiness may be a sign of sleep apnea, so let your doctor know if you are experiencing this. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include unexplained exhaustion and falling asleep during the day.
Corrective oral devices help some sleep apnea cases. The reason for this is that some people have abnormally shaped jaws, which naturally narrows the airways. Your jaw’s alignment is improved with corrective devices, allowing more air to flow.
Sleep Apnea
If you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor and get a referral for a sleep study. This test will determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe your condition is. After this you’ll need to look at treatment options, even for a mild form of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can be made worse if you haven’t had enough sleep. One way to mitigate this effect is to sleep on a regular schedule. Establish a routine bedtime and wake time so your body becomes accustomed to a specific sleep schedule. This can keep your sleep apnea condition from evolving into something even worse, such as complete insomnia.
Strengthen the muscles of your throat and jaw using special exercises. Sometimes strengthening your internal muscles can help correct your sleep apnea. These exercises can greatly help reduce your symptoms.
There is no need to be frightened by a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Luckily, this disorder is treatable. Use the treatment and lifestyle tips detailed in this article to improve your quality of life. Getting proper treatment will help you get through each day easier because you will have a good amount of sleep.
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