Getting enough sleep each and every night is essential for health and happiness. However, if you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you are probably not getting the rest you need. Dealing with this can be troublesome when you don’t know what to do. If you’re in the dark about how to handle your sleep apnea, the article below can help.
Try playing a wind instrument. Playing the trumpet or a similar musical instrument should help you strengthen your throat and help you control your breathing. Your upper airways should become stronger and remain open throughout the night, which would make the symptoms of sleep apnea disappear or at least reduce them.
It may sound silly, but taking up a music instrument may improve your sleep apnea. When subjects in Germany were taught to play the didgeridoo, their sleep apnea symptoms were reduced. The researchers believe that practicing the instrument improved the tone of the muscles in the upper airway, which are responsible for airway dilation.
Try cutting out cigarettes and alcohol if you have sleep apnea. Both of these bad habits can cause the airway muscles to relax, which makes you snore and adds to the symptoms of sleep apnea. As an added benefit, keep in mind that ditching these bad habits will put extra money back into your pocket, whereas extensive medical treatments will cost you a great deal.
If you are dealing with sleep apnea, you never want to take any sleeping pills. You will relax your throat muscles this way and you will not get as much from your sleep. Having a bad sleep apnea case could make these pills a dangerous option. It may be tempting to use these pills to sleep better, but it’s not worth the risk.
If you have a CPAP machine, carry your medical ID. If anything happens where you require medical attention, those assisting you need to know about both your sleep apnea and the CPAP. The information on the card should mention your sleep anea and include the full details of the treatment you regularly use.
Remember to bring the CPAP machine with you if you should happen to require a stay at the hospital. You need to have your CPAP along with the mask, with you at all times while you’re there. The settings will be prepared and you won’t have to adjust the pressure. It will be much simpler to continue using a CPAP machine in the hospital if you don’t have to deal with unfamiliar equipment.
Sleep apnea patients should not sleep on their backs. Most apnea patients are “back sleepers”, making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. Use pillows or specially designed cushions that will make sure you go through the entire night on your side only.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects many overweight people. One of the first things that should be addressed by anyone suffering from this condition is to lose some weight. Until your weight is normal, your doctor may find it difficult come to an accurate diagnosis of the cause.
If you have sleep apnea, and you have to have a sleep study, considering taking your pillow from home with you. It can be very difficult to sleep in the sleep lab. You are in an unfamiliar place in a strange bed. You have lots of wires, and electrodes attached to you. Having your own pillow can help to relax you and make it easier to fall asleep.
When you get your sleep apnea diagnosis and the doctor gives you a CPAP machine, be determined to stick with CPAP therapy. It can be a real adjustment getting used to sleeping with a mask on your face every night. However, your life and health depend on it. So tell yourself this is not optional, and set your mind on making it work.
While you may not be obese or even very overweight, even a couple of extra pounds can cause sleep apnea. That means even if you have a little belly, you should work to get rid of it and see if that removes your sleeping problems. You will thank yourself for it afterwards.
Use meditation, warm baths and massages to help you relieve stress and reduce anxiety-induced sleep apnea. A hot bath can help sooth your muscles to help you sleep better. After your bath, you are likely to fall asleep faster and have less apnea flare-ups.
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.
Make sure that you are getting enough sleep every night. When you are sleep deprived, you may notice that your sleep apnea is worse. You also want the room you are sleeping in set up so that you can get a good night sleep. It should be dark, quiet and you should feel comfortable and at peace while you are sleeping.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is important that you maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight significantly worsens sleep apnea and losing just a few excess pounds can go a long way towards dramatically improving your ability to breathe properly while you sleep. Following a healthy diet and exercise plan is one of the best ways to deal with sleep apnea.
Do not drink any alcoholic type beverages when living with sleep apnea. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat and may put you into a very deep sleep. If you like to drink alcoholic beverages, you just need to remember not to do so right before you go to sleep.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you should be better equipped to deal with your sleep apnea. Follow the tips and ideas you’ve just learned to help manage this affliction. You can control your sleep apnea, rather than letting it control you, when you practice the methods above.