If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know that it is no joke. It is a hard affliction to live with, especially upon first diagnosis. Learning that your sleep is being interrupted at night can be hard to swallow. Fortunately, the article below describes some things that can help you deal with it.
You can fight sleep apnea by giving up certain vices. Drinking alcohol and smoking are very bad for the condition. Drinking relaxes your airway to prevent proper breathing. Over time, your lungs will be damaged as the result of smoking. These are both habits which can make sleep apnea worse.
Improve your sleep apnea by slimming down a bit. Recent research showed dramatic improvements in overweight men who shed 25 pounds over a period of one year to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. In some cases, the weight loss resulted in a cure of sleep apnea where no further treatment of the condition was necessary.
You should know that using a CPAP machine can cause certain side effects, including snoring, congestion, irritation or dryness in your mouth and airways. If this occurs, you should go to your doctor and make sure you are using your machine properly. Consider using a different mask or a different machine.
Consider using a mouth guard when you sleep. If your jaw is improperly aligned, this could lead to issues with sleep apnea. The alignment of your jaw has a lot to do with whether or not you are getting sufficient airflow. Being fitted for a mouth guard can help your breathe while it’s correcting the problem.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is vital to avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol acts as a sedative, therefore, it will naturally slow down your breathing. In addition, it will relax all the muscles in your body, including those in your throat that help to keep your airway open.
If you’ve got a prescription for a CPAP for your sleep apnea, try using it for around four hours each night. It can be extremely difficult for some patients to get used to sleeping with a CPAP. In order for your CPAP therapy to be effective, you need to use it at least four hours a day. As you become more accustomed to the sleep mask, you should be able to wear it longer.
Try sleeping on your side to prevent sleep apnea from robbing you of a good night’s sleep. When lying on your back, your throat and nasal passages can obstruct your airways. Try to fall asleep in a side position, and discover if that relieves your sleep apnea tonight.
Stick to a schedule when it comes to your sleep. Sleeping at weird hours of the day can worsen your sleep apnea. This is why it is important to maintain a consistent sleep pattern, which will eliminate sleepiness in the day. Try retiring and waking at consistent times.
The first thing to do when you think you are dealing with sleep apnea is to discover if it is really apnea or just advanced snoring. If you have a loved one sleeping with you, this can be done alone at home, but if not you may need to visit a sleep clinic.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, ask your sleep partner to listen to your breathing while you sleep. See if they detect loud snoring as you get deeper into sleep. In addition, ask if they notice any periods when you appear to stop breathing for a time and then suddenly let out a loud snort and start breathing again. If you sleep alone, consider tape recording yourself to listen for these breathing abnormalities.
Having sleep apnea puts you at risk for developing diabetes. When you go into sleep apnea, the body is deprived of oxygen and must produce more adrenalin to compensate, which causes sugar levels to rise. If you already have diabetes, check your sugar levels at night. If you do not have diabetes, make sure you adopt a healthy diet to prevent this condition from developing.
Part of treating sleep apnea is working on exercises that open up the airways to get more air in. A great way to do this is by playing wind instruments, like the clarinet or the flute. Consistently doing this strengthens the throat muscles and opens up the airways as well.
Try nasal spray to help alleviate your troubling sleep apnea symptoms. Moistening of the nasal passages can decrease snoring and increase comfort! Use a little about ten minutes prior to going to bed and your sleep should be improved; for extra relief, place a humidifier in the room as well.
Without a doubt, one major contributor to the level of severity of sleep apnea is weight. If you find yourself to be a few pounds overweight it may be time to hit the gym. Studies have shown losing weight has drastically reduced, and sometimes altogether gotten rid of the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Some people may experience sleepiness brought on by sleep apnea. Make sure that if you are one of the many who experience this, don’t operate any vehicles or heavy machinery. Do the responsible thing and get the right treatment. Don’t operate any vehicles or machinery without treatment, as you can be a hazard to yourself and others.
If you believe that you’re suffering from sleep apnea, it would be wise to talk to ask your doctor to give you a sleep test. This test will determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe your condition is. Even mild sleep apnea must be treated, so formulating a treatment plan is your next step.
Talk to a doctor. When you have sleep apnea, you must be sure to see a physician. This is because only a doctor can tell you which treatments are right for you. If you wait, you may find yourself in dire straits as well as feeling confused. See a doctor right away so you can treat your condition.
Now that you’ve read this entire article, you should have a better understanding of what can help your sleep apnea. Take what you’ve learned to heart, and apply it to your everyday life. You should notice a marked improvement in the amount of rest that you get. This will help you live a better life.