Do you know what is one of the major causes of a bad night sleep? The answer is snoring and sleep apnea. The latter is a more advanced form of snoring that carries potential health risks and shouldn’t be ignored. If you believe that you have this issue, then you should read this article filled with tips.
A major reason why a lot of people deal with the sleep apnea condition is because of the excess weight they’re carrying. Losing weight may help to greatly reduce sleep apnea symptoms in many patients. Anyone in this situation should stick to a sensible diet, in combination with a good amount of exercise. Taking carbohydrates out of a diet is something that studies show helps people lose weight.
People who do not have a partner sleeping with them may not know they suffer from sleep apnea. If you wake up with a dry or sore mouth, wake up out of breath, have morning headaches, insomnia, and/or go to the bathroom frequently during the night, you may have sleep apnea and should talk to a doctor.
Sleep Apnea patients using a CPAP machine may find that a humidifier is their best friend. The continuous passage of air from the machine can dry out sensitive nasal membranes, creating discomfort. A room humidifier, placed near the machine, often provides the humidification needed for comfortable sleep. If that isn’t sufficient, machines with integrated humidification chambers are available and allow the patient to customize the amount of moisture they receive.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Getting buzzed or drunk causes your airways to relax too much. If someone goes to sleep in a drunk state, you can hear the effects from their deep snoring. In someone who already suffers from sleep apnea, it can be very dangerous. Avoid alcoholic drinks to sleep safer.
Do not take pain medications such as morphine. This medication can lower your oxygen level and make your symptoms even worst. If you take a high dose of morphine, your life could be in danger. If you go to the hospital and are given a pain medication, let the doctors know you have sleep apnea.
A good way to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea is by recording yourself when you sleep. You can do either an audio or video recording to catch your sleep patterns and sounds you generate when you are in a deep slumber. These recordings can be quite informative. Try doing them for several nights in a row to get a good range of information.
Sleeping face-up is something to avoid if you’re having sleep apnea issues. 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. Prop yourself on your side using pillows or cushions.
The most important aspect of dealing with sleep apnea is understanding exactly what it is. Unlike simple snoring, it is when a sleeper stop’s breathing for a short period of time while he is sleeping. If your sleep partner tells you that sometimes you stop breathing, there is a good chance you have apnea.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help anyone dealing with sleep apnea. Once you can get on a schedule and stick to it, you will notice that your symptoms will decrease as your body gets more sleep. Make a routine that works for your lifestyle, and do your best to stick to it.
Smokers who also suffer from sleep apnea need to make a difficult decision. Research shows that smoking can worsen sleeping problems such as snoring and apnea, so those who like to light up need to really look into themselves and decide what is more important, nicotine or a great night’s sleep.
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.
One quick tip for trying to get a better night’s sleep is to sleep only on your side and not on your back. If you sleep with someone else, ask them to gently roll you over any time they see you on your back. This can help to keep your airflow more controlled.
Clear your nasal passages before you go to sleep to avoid apnea. Open them up by using some saline spray, nasal dilator or a neti pot. Clearing the nasal passages will allow you to breathe easier while you are sleeping. Do not forget to use distilled water when you use a neti pot.
Be on the lookout for symptoms of sleep apnea that may occur during the daytime hours. Extreme drowsiness can occur at anytime when you suffer from sleep apnea. This can include spells of extreme sleepiness while you are driving a car. Do not ignore these symptoms as you can hurt not only yourself, but others as well.
There are different kinds of masks you can use. Some masks cover your whole face while some others only cover your nose and mouth. Try different products and choose one you feel comfortable wearing in bed. If you feel like your CPAP machine is not really working, try using a different mask with it.
If you are skeptical about your sleep apnea or you are a partner of a person who doesn’t believe he or she has sleep apnea, set up a recorder in your room for one evening. Sometimes physical proof is needed for anyone to take the next step with sleep apnea. When you hear the actual sounds, you can then know how serious this condition really is.
Sleep apnea, and even snoring, can both cause you to lose out on your rest, making the rest of your life much more difficult. That is why reading through this article is so important. There is nothing better than a great night’s sleep, and now you can return to bed with confidence!