The effects of sleep apnea can range from minor discomfort and inconvenience to life-threatening complications. Anyone who is faced with this condition should do whatever is necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of its causes and possible treatments. Carefully review the article that follows, and you will be equipped to find a treatment that works for you or your loved ones.
Try losing some weight. Getting into shape has many benefits. If you are on the heavier side and suffering from sleep apnea, you may find that slimming down helps with that as well. Studies have found that overweight and obese individuals are more likely to find relief from sleep apnea by getting themselves to a healthier weight.
Skip sleeping pills if you are prone to bouts of sleep apnea. You may feel you need them to get to sleep, but they have a similar effect as alcohol on the body. They also have additional side effects besides the obvious ones. Stay away if you want to lessen your sleep apnea symptoms.
Consider using a mouth guard when you sleep. If your jaw is improperly aligned, this could lead to issues with sleep apnea. The alignment of your jaw has a lot to do with whether or not you are getting sufficient airflow. Being fitted for a mouth guard can help your breathe while it’s correcting the problem.
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.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed after a thorough medical examination. Your general practitioner may order a sleep study. Based upon this, he or she may give you a referral for a sleep specialist. Sleep specialists focus primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of people with sleep disorders.
If you will be away from home and you’re suffering with sleep apnea, always remember to bring along the CPAP machine with you. If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis, you must use your CPAP every single night. Most machines come with a bag that they can be transported safely in. You should be able to use this to carry your CPAP machine with you no matter where you go.
Try sleeping with nasal strips to open your nasal passageways. If you suffer from sleep apnea, this can offer some relief to your symptoms, especially snoring. When your sleep is less interrupted by waking periods when you cannot breathe, you receive a better night of rest and often see your symptoms disappear.
Doctors often recommend that sleep apnea patients consider treatment with a CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Protection – mask and machine. The machine sends air through a hose to a mask covering your nose. The purpose is to help keep your airway open so you are breathing normally as you sleep. While the machine may initially seem a little foreign and uncomfortable, a great many patients adapt quickly and find they are getting much more restful sleep as a result.
A proven tip to reducing and preventing sleep apnea is to try sleeping on your side. You should avoid sleeping with your face up on your back. Gravity will cause the tongue and tissues in your neck fall back and block your airways. So sleep on your side for a better nights sleep.
Anyone who suffers from sleep apnea should avoid using sleeping pills. It can be tempting to try to use them to help you sleep better, but these pills can relax your throat muscles and make your sleep apnea worse. They also have a number of other side effects that can be unpleasant.
Sleep apnea patients should not sleep on their backs. Sleep apnea strikes back sleepers the most. Use pillows or specially designed cushions that will make sure you go through the entire night on your side only.
You must get treatment if you have sleep apnea. It will not resolve itself. Some things work for people and some do not. Shedding pounds can help people who are overweight, but not all sufferers have pounds to lose. You can use options like CPAP machines to help you sleep at night. Still others prefer the surgical route where modifications can be made to overcome airway restrictions. It doesn’t matter which treatment you get, as long as it is effective for you and helps you find the quality of life you are missing.
One great tip for people who sleep with an apnea sufferer is to use a white-noise machine. While this won’t target the problem at all, it does at least help the partner to get a good night’s sleep. Remember to use the same sound every night in order to sync the noise with relaxation.
If you’re using a CPAP machine, see if you doctor can also prescribe a humidifier with heat. Moist, warm air will help you get a better night’s sleep and make it easier to keep up with the CPAP therapy. A lot of the CPAP machines now have a humidifier built in, so find out if you can be prescribed one of those.
Getting fitted for a mouth guard may help reduce your sleep apnea if you have an overbite, a small size jaw or a recessed chin. The position of your jawbone can actually block your airways when you have these problems. Using a mouth guard will help correct this issue, and can reduce the symptoms that you are struggling with.
Because of its potentially very serious impact on the lives of sufferers, sleep apnea is a topic of great concern for many. Those confronted with this condition are wise to research the topic thoroughly before selecting a treatment strategy. By paying close attention to the information contained above, you have the power to find the methods best able to alleviate the symptoms plaguing you or someone you love.
