It is not enough to simply be aware of your sleep apnea. You need to put in the effort to see any good results. Learning about effective sleep apnea treatments is a great way to get started. Continue reading to learn useful measures you can take to improve your own condition.
If you have sleep apnea because of naturally narrow airways, get a sleep mouth guard. These guards look similar to what athletes use, but are specifically made to change the position of the tongue, jaw and palate while you sleep and keep your airway open. If you think a mouth guard might help you out, consult a physician and ask her to fit you with one.
Your doctor or a sleep specialist can help you find the CPAP machine that is best suited for your needs and comfort. Factors such as the machine’s noise level and its size are important to consider. Some machines are very quiet and no bigger than a simple bread box. The doctor would be able to guide you to the right one to use.
Shed a bit of weight if you can. There are many studies linking overweight people to sleep apnea. Therefore, if you are obese, a loss of just 25 pounds can cause a major improvement in your apnea symptoms.
It is important to use your CPAP machine if instructed to by your doctor. You should use it for the full night, but if you cannot, try to get at least 4 hours with the machine. Some find that it can be uncomfortable to use at first, but the point is to use it and ward off trouble. However, you must use your CPAP a minimum of four hours for it to be effective. If you struggle to adjust to it in the beginning, try using the CPAP for about four hours while you sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be a serious disorder. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, be sure to speak with your doctor immediately. When you are officially diagnosed, you are going to be referred to a sleep specialist. You may even have to take a sleep test at home with a monitor to fully discover the depth of your symptoms.
Attempt to sleep on the side to get a full night of rest in spite of apnea. Our airways can get obstructed if we sleep while on our backs. Try to fall asleep on one of your sides to see if your symptoms get better.
Give sleeping on your sides a try. It’s not uncommon for many with sleep apnea to sleep while laying on their back. The tissue in your throat and mouth can wind up obstructing your air passage when you sleep on your back. Sleeping sideways facilitates breathing. If you think you might roll over anyway, try a wedge pillow.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a doctor after he looks at your family history, medical history, and you have a comprehensive physical exam. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea.
Swear off sleeping pills. Sleeping pills relax your palate and the muscles in your throat, which causes you to have even more trouble breathing while you sleep. The medication can be very dangerous, even fatal, if you suffer from sleep apnea.
You now know some effective treatment strategies for sleep apnea, so it’s time to start using them. Choose the ones that will be most effective for you, and start applying them. When you have sound sleep, you get back control over both your days and nights.