If you or someone you love has experienced the disruptions caused by sleep apnea, you are likely quite interested in unearthing effective treatment methods. The best way to identify ways to ameliorate the problems this condition can cause is to gain a deep understanding of its root causes. By reviewing the information below, you will have a much better foundation from which to launch your battle against sleep apnea.
Talk to your physician about the possibility of a mouth piece to correct your sleep. If you have a narrow airway, recessed chin or small jaw, it is likely you have amplified sleep apnea effects. You will get better rest if you use specialty devices to position yourself and align your jaw properly while sleeping.
If you decide to try a CPAP machine, do not give up until at least a few weeks. A lot of sleep apnea patients give up before they really get a chance to get used to their machine. Wait until you are comfortable with sleeping while wearing a mask and you should really notice a difference.
Children can have sleep apnea. Children who breathe through their mouth rather than their nose can suffer from sleep apnea. Other symptoms can include hyperactivity, poor grades, irritability or hostility. These symptoms can be similar to those of ADHD, so consult a doctor and consider both conditions.
You need to have a complete physical exam and give a thorough medical history in order to get a sleep apnea diagnosis. Sleep studies may be suggested and your doctor might refer you over to a type of sleep specialist that can diagnose and treat your symptoms.
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea, you need to avoid caffeine and large meals before you go to bed. Stop eating and drinking any caffeinated beverages at least two hours before you go to bed. Both of these are linked to sleep apnea and should be avoided before bedtime.
One great tip for people who sleep with an apnea sufferer is to use a white-noise machine. While this won’t target the problem at all, it does at least help the partner to get a good night’s sleep. Remember to use the same sound every night in order to sync the noise with relaxation.
If you are a trucker who has sleep apnea, take precautions to stay safe on the road. First of all, get yourself properly diagnosed and treated. If your doctor prescribes a CPAP, use it. They are small and easily portable and can run on battery power if necessary. Try to stay fit and get regular sleep to keep your condition under control.
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.
If you’re using a CPAP machine, see if you doctor can also prescribe a humidifier with heat. It is much easier to get better sleep and to sleep with your CPAP machine if there is warm and humid air to breathe. Lots of CPAP machines have humidifiers built in. Check with your doctor to see if he or she can prescribe a humidifier for you.
Believe it or not, it has been scientifically proven that your sleep apnea can be tied to your weight. In a recent study, it was proven that people who have lost at least 25 pounds relieved their sleep apnea symptoms. This drastic slim down should be taken slowly, over the course of at least one year.
There are different kinds of CPAP machines: CPAP refers to the machines that provide you with a continuous airflow while APAP machines adapt the air pressure to your needs. There are also Bilevel machines that provide a higher pressure when you breathe in and a lower when you breathe out. Try different machines and talk to your doctor to find out what is best.
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.
One way to determine whether or not you may have sleep apnea is to have your partner report what they see, hear and feel during the night. While you might not notice yourself waking up, your partner may hear you snoring, tossing and turning, or gasping in the wee hours.
Avoid anything that can make your sleep apnea worse, especially high altitudes. Sleeping in a high altitude ie. airplanes can actually make your symptoms worse as the loss of oxygen increases. If you must travel, make sure you talk to your physician about how you can relieve your symptoms of sleep apnea.
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.
Cut down on alcohol use. When you drink, the alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, making it easier for them to obstruct your airway and “collapse.” Don’t have alcohol within 4 or 5 hours before going to sleep to avoid this, if you want to continue to drink at all.
Sleep apnea has the potential to wreak havoc in the lives of sufferers as well as those of their family members. Anyone who has watched a loved one deal with the impact of this condition has surely wanted to learn more about possible treatments. Now that you have taken the ideas in this piece to heart, you should be ready to renew your crusade to defeat sleep apnea once and for all.