Sleep apnea isn’t just a nuisance; it can also be something that can harm you for the rest of your life. For this reason alone, anyone suffering with this problem should educate themselves about what is causing the issue and how it can effectively be treated. By reading the article that follows, it is possible to get a good start on doing just that.
Excess weight also causes sleep apnea, so losing weight is a very good idea. There are many studies linking overweight people to sleep apnea. For this reason, losing as little as 25 pounds could resolve your sleep apnea problems even if you would actually need to lose quite a bit more to attain your ideal weight.
There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, central, and complexes are all forms of sleep apnea. You need to go to the doctor and have a professional assess which type of sleep apnea you have, so they can offer the best treatment and advice for your specific condition.
If you have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, join a CPAP support group. It can be quite difficult to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face every night. Sitting in a room full of other people going through the same thing can be very empowering. You can learn from others who have had the same issues you are having and made adjustments to make it work.
Try some throat and mouth exercises. One reason people suffer from sleep apnea is because their throats close when they sleep. Strengthening these muscles can decrease the chance that they will go slack while you are sleeping. Try some tongue, jaw and neck exercises to increase your throat strength.
Exercise your neck and throat. Sleep apnea is caused by your throat becoming obstructed as you sleep. By strengthening the muscles in your neck, throat, and jaw, you can help your muscles withstand the pressure. Spend a few minutes every day performing exercises designed for the jaw and neck area.
If you have tried a number of less drastic sleep apnea treatment options, you might want to consider discussing surgical treatment options for the condition with your primary care physician. Sleep apnea treatment surgery often involves increasing the diameter of your airway in an effort to reduce the number of apnea episodes that you experience.
Avoid sleeping pills when you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleeping pills relax your palate and the muscles in your throat, which causes you to have even more trouble breathing while you sleep. Though they may help you sleep, you need the ability to wake should your airway colse too much.
You will find it easier to go to sleep and remain asleep if you follow a schedule. Go to bed at the same time, follow a bedtime routine if it helps you relax and get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Create the ideal environment for you to sleep in.
Consider a snoring device. Snoring happens when the airways are mostly closed but air can come though, and apnea is when the airways are completely closed. A device that can help with snoring may also work to help with apnea. You could find yourself reducing your apnea with anti-snoring devices.
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.
If you have sleep apnea, and your CPAP does not seem to be working out for you, consider alternate types of machines. You may be a person who needs the air pressure to change throughout the night as you sleep. Your doctor can prescribe a machine that uses different technologies to deliver air, such as an APAP, a BiPAP, or a machine equipped with C-FLEX. Each of these adjusts the pressure up and down as you sleep, which can make it more comfortable and effective for you.
If you have tried all the self-help ideas and treatments and made changes in your lifestyle, and you still have not had success in helping your sleep apnea, you should consult with a sleep doctor. These doctors can evaluate your condition and work with you to find a treatment that is effective.
If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, learn to play an instrument. It is soothing, and a German study showed that using these instruments can strengthen your throat muscles. This will help clear your airways.
Sleep apnea sufferers may need to look for a simple solution in order to get a better night’s rest. Set up a regular bedtime for yourself and go to sleep each night at around the same time. Be certain you create an environment in your bedroom that is conducive to sleep. If you do not, insomnia may occur.
Shed the pounds that have been bugging you. Those same pounds that you cringe at when you look in the mirror may also be causing your sleep apnea. In fact, there is a rule of thumb out there that for every 10% of the weight you lose, your sleep apnea will improve by 30%.
If you use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)device for your sleep apnea, make sure you know how to put it on correctly. Make sure the straps are tightened just right and make sure the device is sealing over your air passageways. The device’s fit is important to its operation.
Sleep apnea causes many people considerable aggravation. Both you and your loved ones are affected by this sleep disorder. Sleep is interrupted, you are uncomfortable and your health and life are at risk. As you battle sleep apnea, remember the information contained in this article and get to work designing your own sleep apnea battle plan.