Sleep apnea is a difficult disorder to deal with. It is not only an unpleasant disorder to live with, it is also potentially life threatening. Use the tips provided in this article to treat and control your sleep apnea for deeper, longer sleep periods to help you get through the day.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is vital to avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol acts as a sedative, therefore, it will naturally slow down your breathing. In addition, it will relax all the muscles in your body, including those in your throat that help to keep your airway open.
You must be careful not to use sedating medications if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Anything that sedates you will slow down your breathing, especially when you go to sleep. When you are sedated by medication, your throat muscles will relax and collapse more quickly as you sleep.
Reduce your consumption of alcohol. Your muscles get relaxed too much. Although many users find this to be one of the benefits of drinking, it tends to make the effects of sleep apnea much more serious. Alcohol will relax the throat muscles, which ends up making it harder for the body to control the airways. If you are a person who needs a drink sometimes, then aim to not drink it very frequently. Definitely do not drink any immediately before hitting the sheets at night.
Inform a friend or family member of your condition. Sleep apnea can be life threatening. It can also cause complications when combined with other conditions. Inform those around you of your sleep apnea. If the worst occurs, they will be able to pass this information along to a medical professional during an emergency.
Sleeping at a high altitude can worsen your sleep apnea because of the lower levels of oxygen. If you are going to a place located higher than what you are used to, take a CPAP machine with you. The best thing to do would be to completely avoid high altitude.
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.
Your sleep habits directly affect you and your sleep apnea. Thus, it is critical to sleep with your body in the proper position. Sew a tennis ball into the back of your sleeping attire so that it will remind you during your sleep to stay on your side or stomach. Alternatively, you can elevate the upper portion of your bed a few inches.
Keep a generator at home. If there is a power outage, your CPAP machine will stop functioning. Some CPAP machines have a battery that will kick in if the power goes out but you should invest in a quality generator in case you have to remain without power for several hours.
If you are drowsy, listen to your body. If you are not getting enough sleep at night because of sleep apnea, you are more likely to feel drowsy during the day. This indicates that your treatments are not effective. So, when you are feeling drowsy on a regular basis, consider visiting your doctor to re-discuss your treatment options and your current apnea treatment plan.
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.
Don’t take sleeping pills. You may feel like the answer to your sleep problems would be a pill to help you sleep, but it’s not! Sedatives and other sleep aids cause your muscles, including your throat muscles, to relax. Relaxed throat muscles are even harder to control while sleeping and are a danger to those who suffer from sleep apnea.
If you believe you might have sleep apnea, consult your doctor. Sleep apnea is an extremely complicated condition. You shouldn’t compromise your sleep by just guessing whether or not you have it. Be sure to share all of your signs and symptoms with your doctor. Together, you can think of a good plan of action.
Play an instrument that uses your wind. You can pick up instruments like the clarinet or the flute to build your throat muscles. Playing such an instrument will strengthen your airways and help you control your breathing. Soon, you will notice an improvement in your sleep apnea symptoms.
Eat a nutritious and healthy diet, and beware going to bed overly hungry, full or caffeinated. In any of these instances, your body will not be performing at an optimum level. The chances of you then having sleep issues raises significantly. If you must eat something, reach for a banana. Studies have shown that bananas actually help being on a deep sleep.
Lowe eight to help you overcome sleep apnea. Being overweight is linked to apnea episodes, so if you shed some pounds you’ll be able to breathe better while sleeping. Sleep apnea may go away altogether once you have lost a significant amount of weight, so talk to your doctor about diet and exercise.
Talk to all your doctors about your sleep apnea. This may help them to avoid prescribing medication that is detrimental to your condition, and it will help them to prescribe treatments that fit into your regiment for your sleep apnea. Keeping your doctors informed will help you better manage this condition.
As stated above, sleep apnea is not just unpleasant and tiring. When left untreated it is potentially fatal. Use the tips outlined in the article above to help deal with sleep apnea. Treat your sleep apnea and get it under control and enjoy longer and deeper periods of sleep.