Do you still feel tired after attempting to sleep for 8 hours? Have you been told that you snore loudly when you sleep? Have you ever woken yourself up because of snoring? You might suffer from sleep apnea, but stay calm. The following article is full of tips and advice for dealing with this common condition.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the primary culprits. You can have severe breathing problems if you are a heavy drinker as it depresses your respiratory system. Smoking damages all parts of your airways. Your sleep apnea symptoms will improve if you give up both of these unhealthy habits completely.
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.
Don’t drink a lot of alcohol. The natural effects of alcohol lead to over-relaxation of your muscles. Even though you may enjoy the relaxing effects, this can contribute to sleep apnea events. If you are sleeping and have been drinking too close to bedtime, this can be a dangerous combination while you are asleep. While it’s not vital that alcohol be avoided 100%, do what you can to make sure you do not drink it before a nap or nighttime sleep.
Sleep apnea is a serious health condition. It’s important to seek medical advice as soon as you suspect you may be suffering from it. A doctor can refer you to a sleep lab if the doctor believes you have sleep apnea, and you can then get on the road to recovery if you have it.
If you are taking a great deal of medicines on a regular basis, sit with your doctor and discuss how they can be reduced. Side effects from prescription medication can be making your sleep apnea worse. Keep a dialog open with your doctor and make sure he is up to date on all your symptoms.
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.
If you are a smoker and suffer from sleep apnea, quit, or at the very least, cut back dramatically. Smoking is dangerous for those who suffer from sleep apnea because it causes swelling to the airways, not to mention all the tar it leaves behind in your lungs and airways.
If you have sleep apnea and were just prescribed a CPAP, keep trying different masks until you find the one that fits you just right. Some masks may not be the right size or shape for your face. If your CPAP mask is leaking air into your eyes all night or rubbing the skin on your forehead raw, ask your sleep center to prescribe a different mask for you.
Stick to one regular pillow for sleeping on at night. Using more than one pillow, or one that is too large, can make you sleep in an odd position. This actually causes you to have more breathing difficulty based on your position. Because of this you should only use one pillow for easier sleeping.
If you think that you may have sleep apnea, set up a video of yourself as you sleep. Just be sure that the video recorder has sound capability. When you wake up, look at the video, and if it seems like something other than snoring is going on, it may be time to go to the doctor.
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.
Even though you want to sleep better, do not take sleeping medication if you suffer from, or have a history of sleep apnea. What you may think will help will only make the condition worse by relaxing your muscles even more when you sleep. If you suffer from insomnia along with sleep apnea, speak with your doctor.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine when you sleep, ask your doctor to also prescribe a heated humidifier. You are much more likely to have a good night’s sleep and stick with your CPAP therapy if the air being delivered is warm and moist. Many CPAP manufacturers are providing machines with integrated humidifiers, so check with your doctor to see if that is a good option for you.
All sleep apnea patients can benefit from information found through the AWAKE Foundation. AWAKE sponsors support groups across the country that are dedicated to educating and informing the public on issues and treatment options related to sleep apnea. These meetings frequently showcase new equipment and mask options for CPAP patients, as well as updates on new trends in treatment. With chapters in most regional areas, AWAKE serves as a very effective support service for patients and their families to get sound and reliable information to improve their health.
Be proactive in finding treatment. Sleep apnea is often a progressive condition so it is best to get treatment immediately. When you wait and go without treatment, you cause harm to your overall health. It will not go away on its own, so seek help from a doctor.
This article is the first step in your journey to treating your sleep apnea. Consider this an accomplishment, since many do not bother to get to this point. By taking the time to learn more about your condition, you’ve taken a great step towards getting comfortable with the problem and taking the steps necessary to treat it.