Living with sleep apnea can be tiring, miserable and terrifying. It can ruin your days and possibly end your life. When you live with this condition, you want to do anything you can to lessen the danger. Use the helpful advice contained in the following article to help you treat your sleep apnea.
Get through sleep apnea by consulting with your practitioner about getting a CPAP machine. The machine size and how loud it is are things you should think about. There are some machines that are quiet and small. Your doctor will help you find one that is well made.
Quitting smoking and drinking can relieve sleep apnea symptoms. Both of these bad habits make the airways relax too much, making sleep apnea worse. Remember that surgery and medications are expensive. Correcting bad habits is free.
You should know that using a CPAP machine can cause certain side effects, including snoring, congestion, irritation or dryness in your mouth and airways. If this occurs, you should go to your doctor and make sure you are using your machine properly. Consider using a different mask or a different machine.
Some people have problems using the CPAP machine to deal with their sleep apnea. The best advice is to stick with it. It is not a cure, but it does treat your sleep apnea. If you stop using it, you still have sleep apnea, so you need to keep using the machine regularly.
If you have sleep apnea, try sleeping on your side. If you are a back or stomach sleeper, gravity is working against you all night. Your airway is much more likely to collapse if you are facing straight up or down. Sleeping on your side instead makes it much easier for your body to maintain your airway as you sleep.
If you are over weight, going on a diet can reduce your sleep apnea, or in rare cases, eliminate it completely. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you breathe easier, so losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight when you have trouble breathing is an obvious step in treating your sleep apnea.
Do not take sleeping pills if you suffer from sleep apnea. These pills are not recommended if you suffer from this condition because they relax the muscles of your throat. Skipping them can actually help you get a better night of sleep because your apnea symptoms are not aggravated.
Try something other than sleeping pills. Relaxed throat muscles (caused by alcohol consumption as well as sleep medication) can contribute to an increase in sleep apnea. They also can cause other harmful issues to make your sleep apnea worse. If you have chronic insomnia, consult with your doctor about safe alternatives to sleeping pills.
If you do not know if your snoring is from sleep apnea or just simple snoring, try using a sleep diary. In this diary, you will need to record how much time you spend in bed, the number of times that you awaken each night, and how tired you feel when you arise in the morning.
Don’t use multiple or oversize pillows. If you use very thick pillows or many pillows, you may end up sleeping at an odd angle that hurts the free flow of air through your airways. This causes you to lie in a way where breathing is more difficult. So, you should stick to one pillow to help lessen any sleep apnea symptoms.
If you use a CPAP machine, make sure the mask fits well. Most people who quit using their CPAP machine usually say it is because the machine is uncomfortable. There are a number of different masks available, so you are not forced to use one that causes discomfort. Try out many different styles to find the right one.
If you are concerned your snoring may be sleep apnea, try keeping a sleep diary. You would keep a record of the hours you sleep, how many times you wake at night, and whether you feel refreshed the next day. Also, if you have a bedmate, ask them if your snoring is loud and frequent and if you exhibit any gasping or choking sounds.
If you smoke cigarettes and are suffering from sleep apnea, now is the best time to quit this habit. When you smoke, you are increasing the inflammation and the fluid retention in your throat along with your upper airways, and that will contribute greatly to sleep apnea. Once you quit, you should notice your symptoms start to lessen.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, try to replace your mask and hose every six months. Most insurance policies allow for a new mask and hose every six months, and some allow you to replace them every three months. The mask can stop fitting well after several months of use, and the hose can develop small cracks or holes that let air leak. Replace these items to keep getting the best CPAP therapy possible.
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.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s important that you stay away from sleeping pills, cough syrup, or any other medication that may make you drowsy before going to sleep. These medications over-relax the throat muscles during sleep, even causing them to “collapse”, making it hard for enough air to come through.
As stated in the introduction above, sleep apnea can cause a lot of hardship in your life, especially when left untreated. But, luckily there are many things you can do to reduce the occurrence of this condition. Use the advice above to get your sleep apnea under control and sleep easier.
