If your partner complains that you snore during your sleep, or if you wake up in the morning feeling tired and grouchy, you may have a common sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This means that at night, your airway is blocked and you stop breathing during your sleep. If you have this condition, you need to find treatment right away to avoid further problems.
Make sure that the mask you use on your CPAP machine fits properly. Often, people will stop using their CPAP because the mask does not fit right. If your mask is uncomfortable, try getting a different mask. There are many different masks available, so choose one that fits right and is comfortable to use.
You really need to do your best to lose weight if you have sleep apnea. Those who have sleep apnea typically have a neck circumference of 17 inches or more. This excess weight around the throat causes the airway to collapse more easily during sleep. Reducing your weight by even ten pounds can have a beneficial impact on 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.
There are known risk factors for sleep apnea. Some of obstructive sleep apnea risk factors are being overweight, a smoker, male, related to someone with sleep apnea or being Hispanic, Black, or a Pacific Islander. If you have one or more of these risk factors, you are more prone to being diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Do you travel frequently? If so, then do not forget to bring along your CPAP. When sleep apnea affects you, do not attempt even a single night without your CPAP machine. Most machines come with a bag that they can be transported safely in. This is perfect for taking your CPAP along with you anytime you are away.
Do not take pain medications such as morphine. This medication can lower your oxygen level and make your symptoms even worst. If you take a high dose of morphine, your life could be in danger. If you go to the hospital and are given a pain medication, let the doctors know you have sleep apnea.
Avoid excessive drinking if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Drinking exacerbates the airway constriction of sleep apnea by causing the muscles in your throat to relax. Do not drink or smoke before you lay down to sleep. This will lessen the chances of alcohol interrupting your sleep.
The most important aspect of dealing with sleep apnea is understanding exactly what it is. Unlike simple snoring, it is when a sleeper stop’s breathing for a short period of time while he is sleeping. If your sleep partner tells you that sometimes you stop breathing, there is a good chance you have apnea.
How you physically sleep each night can really affect your sleep apnea. This is why it’s essential to sleep in a good position. Try taking a foam wedge and using it to raise the top half of your body. Or, if your bed is adjustable, raise it about four inches at one end.
There are many simple remedies available to anyone who is dealing with sleep apnea. Schedule a nightly bedtime and stick with it. Make your bedroom conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. If it is uncomfortable, you might not be able to fall asleep.
Your nasal breathing may contribute to sleep apnea. If you have a stuffy nose, make sure that you help open your airways with a nose spray. Your local drugstore sells over the counter sprays that are great for this purpose, but feel free to ask a pharmacist for help choosing the right one.
Prop up your upper body while you sleep. If you have an adjustable bed, raise the head of the bed about four to six inches. If you have a standard bed, purchase a body or a special cervical pillow to keep your upper body raised while you are sleeping.
Keep a humidifier in your room to keep your skin from getting to dry while using CPAP devices. A humidifier will increase the moisture in the room to keep your skin from getting too dry and irritated. You might also want to try an intensive lotion for dry skin.
Use a tennis ball to help you sleep on your side. When you sleep on your back, you can have a hard time breathing, so make sure that you do something that helps you avoid back sleeping. A tennis ball sewn into the back of your pajamas will feel uncomfortable if you sleep on your back, so your body will learn to be on the side.
Do not hesitate to ask your partner for help. Your partner could help you get your CPAP machine ready before you go to sleep and even wake you up if you are choking and gasping in the middle of the night. If your partner is not willing to do these things for you, you should probably find someone who is really there when you need them.
Be on the lookout for symptoms of sleep apnea that may occur during the daytime hours. Extreme drowsiness can occur at anytime when you suffer from sleep apnea. This can include spells of extreme sleepiness while you are driving a car. Do not ignore these symptoms as you can hurt not only yourself, but others as well.
Sleep apnea can cause many problems beyond just the inability to get a good night’s sleep. If you let your condition go untreated, it may get worse over time. Getting enough sleep is crucial to your overall level of health, so start using the tips you have read in this article right away to find relief.
