It’s hard to stay alert and focused if you’re not getting the proper amount of sleep, which can be caused by many things. If you aren’t sleeping right due to sleep apnea, there are some things you can do about it. The article below has tips and ideas to help you manage this affliction.
Make sure that the mask you use on your CPAP machine fits properly. Often, people will stop using their CPAP because the mask does not fit right. If your mask is uncomfortable, try getting a different mask. There are many different masks available, so choose one that fits right and is comfortable to use.
You should know that getting a CPAP machine is not going to make your symptoms go away for good. These machines will help you sleep better and perhaps reduce your symptoms on the long term. Keep in mind that you really need to use your machine every night for this treatment to work.
Some people have problems using the CPAP machine to deal with their sleep apnea. The best advice is to stick with it. It is not a cure, but it does treat your sleep apnea. If you stop using it, you still have sleep apnea, so you need to keep using the machine regularly.
Eating healthier foods can help you deal with sleep apnea. A lot of people are surprised that a bad diet can affect sleep apnea. It has been shown in studies that those who eat unhealthier foods face more severe sleep apnea than their overweight, yet healthy-eating, counterparts.
If you are over weight, going on a diet can reduce your sleep apnea, or in rare cases, eliminate it completely. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you breathe easier, so losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight when you have trouble breathing is an obvious step in treating your sleep apnea.
Sleep on your side if you want to avoid sleep apnea. When sleeping on the back, throat and tongue muscles are more likely to block your airway. Try very hard to rest on your side, and you may find your symptoms alleviated.
Doctors often recommend that sleep apnea patients consider treatment with a CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Protection – mask and machine. The machine sends air through a hose to a mask covering your nose. The purpose is to help keep your airway open so you are breathing normally as you sleep. While the machine may initially seem a little foreign and uncomfortable, a great many patients adapt quickly and find they are getting much more restful sleep as a result.
Try and lose weight because it will help you deal with sleep apnea. If your sleep condition is caused by obesity, weight loss may solve your problem completely. If you lose that weight, the pressure on your air passage will be lessened, which will improve the quality of your breathing.
Don’s sleep on your back if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Most apnea sufferers are chronic back sleepers and this position leads to a collapse of the soft tissue in the throat and blocks the air passage. Use pillows to prop you up and keep you sleeping on your side for the best results.
Taking the time to exercise your jaw and stick out your tongue may seem like children’s play. In a recent scientific study, people who performed jaw and tongue exercises daily were able to relieve some of their sleep apnea symptoms. It may not work for everyone, but could be worth a try for a good night’s rest.
One way to reduce problems with sleep apnea is to start playing a wind instrument. These types of instruments will actually train your muscles in your upper airways, which are the muscles needed to control airway dilation while you are sleeping. Not only will you sleep better, you will also have a new skill to show off!
Anxiety is a common result of sleep apnea, so think about relaxing baths prior to bed. A hot bath can help sooth your muscles to help you sleep better. People who suffer from sleep apnea find it easier to get through the night when they take a hot bath or shower before they head to bed.
Corrective oral devices may be used to correct sleep apnea on occasion. That is due to the fact that some people have a jaw that naturally makes their airway narrow. These devices can align your jaw in a way that makes breathing easier.
Go to your doctor if you always feel sleepy and irritated. This might be caused by sleep apnea, even though your condition is not bad enough to wake you up in the middle of the night. A mild case of sleep apnea can cause you to sleep very lightly and not feel refreshed in the morning.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s important that you stay away from sleeping pills, cough syrup, or any other medication that may make you drowsy before going to sleep. These medications over-relax the throat muscles during sleep, even causing them to “collapse”, making it hard for enough air to come through.
Keep a humidifier in your room to keep your skin from getting to dry while using CPAP devices. A humidifier will increase the moisture in the room to keep your skin from getting too dry and irritated. You might also want to try an intensive lotion for dry skin.
Remember that CPAP machines treat the symptoms and will not cure your sleep apnea. The CPAP mechanically forces your airway to stay open while you sleep by continuously passing air through your airways. Although it will help your apnea symptoms, you will have to make other changes in your life if you actually want to cure your sleep apnea.
Now that you’ve finished reading this article, you can see that there are ways to control this problem. Don’t go through live deprived of the sleep you need. Practice what you’ve just learned, and be on your way to life that includes the rest you deserve. Soon, you will feel much better.