Are you dealing with sleep apnea? Is it keeping you up at night? Sleep apnea affects your sleep, but there are things you can do to help yourself sleep better at night. The article that follows contains some helpful information that you can use when you are dealing with sleep apnea.
One way to improve your sleep apnea is to shed excess weight that you are carrying. Being overweight or obese places pressure on your neck, which can compress your windpipe as you sleep. Losing just 25 pounds can make a difference in your symptoms, and losing enough weight can eliminate the disorder altogether.
Quit smoking and drinking. Both of these cause muscles in your airway to relax, which can increase snoring and worsen sleep apnea. If you avoid these things, it may help your sleep apnea.
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.
If you tend to snore a lot and have difficulties staying asleep, you should go see your doctor right away. You might have a condition known as sleep apnea: find an effective treatment so you can get enough sleep and go through your daily activities without being held back by your health problem.
Nasal sprays can help you sleep when your nose is being a nuisance to you. You can experience a few nights of untroubled sleep using such a product. However, they are not suitable for long term use. You should go to your pharmacy and explore different options to keep your nose open while you sleep.
Eliminate or reduce your alcohol consumption to reduce your sleep apnea episodes. The relaxation that results from alcohol use can cause you to breathe less deeply and may also increase the likelihood that your upper airway will collapse. If you can’t refrain altogether from alcohol, make sure that you don’t drink for at least 3 hours before bedtime.
One great way to track your sleep progress, especially if you sleep alone, is by recording yourself in the night. The next day you can watch for signs of apnea and see if there are specific times or triggers that cause the apnea. This is a great resource for your medical professional as well.
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.
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.
If you suffer from sleep apnea now might be the time to see the doctor. There are a multitude of prescription medications available that can help you rest more fully throughout the night. amongst these medications are Lunesta, Ambien, and Rozerem, to name a few. Each of these will help you get a full 8 hours of restful sleep.
Taking steps to cure the condition of insomnia can lead to a significant reduction in sleep apnea episodes. Insomnia is a major cause of sleep apnea and when sufferers begin to get regular and restful sleep, the sleep apnea often disappears. Set a regular bedtime and make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet.
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.
Make sure you don’t drink any alcohol before bed. Your throat muscles will relax more than they should from alcohol, and this makes it difficult for sufficient air flow to occur, instigating sleep apnea. You don’t need to quit drinking completely, just avoid drinks before bed.
If you are concerned that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, talk with your doctor immediately. Neglecting to do so could carry some major risks. Your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan if you share all your symptoms with him.
If you have tried everything else and talked to a medical professional, then it is time to consider more permanent solutions for your apnea. There are some breathing devices that a medical professional can recommend for you. Although it may be annoying to lug the machine around, it is better than the alternative.
Do not have an alcoholic drink close to your bedtime. Alcohol can make a sleep disorder much worse than it already is. Alcohol relaxes your muscles and makes it harder to breath while you sleep. It can also prevent you from waking up when you stop breathing. This possible combo can prove fatal.
If you are struggling adjusting to CPAP therapy for your sleep apnea, make an effort to educate yourself thoroughly about the equipment. Find out all you can about the different types of CPAP machines and masks. Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when you are trying to make positive changes to improve your health.
Sleep apnea is a condition that can really mess with your sleep. With sleep being as important as it is, you don’t want anything interrupting it. Use the tips shared in this article and you can be on your way to a peaceful night’s sleep, even if you are dealing with sleep apnea.