Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? You no doubt have a lot of questions and concerns relating to your condition. There are lots of helpful tips you can use to make your adjustment much easier. This article will give you some steps to take to help you deal with you sleep disorder.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine while sleeping. This will help you treat your sleep apnea and get you on the path to having a full nights sleep. This machine uses either a face or nasal mask to pump air while you sleep.
Try losing a few pounds, if you suffer from chronic sleep apnea. Controlled studies have proven that people with this sleep disturbance benefit greatly after losing 20 or more pounds. Symptoms may even diminish completely, so you now have yet another reason to get your weight down to a healthier number!
Consider doing a few very specific exercises before going to bed each night, to alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms. Exercising throat and tongue muscles has been proven in scientific studies to reduce snoring, improve breathing and lessen the more profound effects of sleep apnea when done according to doctor’s orders.
Try yourself to sleep on your side. If you fall asleep on your back, gravity can make it easier for your tongue and/or tonsils to fall back into your throat and obstruct your windpipe, causing apnea episodes. While it may be hard a first, as time passes, however, it will start to become second nature to sleep on your side.
Always carry ID on you if you’re a sleep apnea sufferer who uses a CPAP machine. You need to have a way of letting medical personnel know about your condition if you are unconscious. The identification should say that you suffer from apnea and that you need a CPAP set at a particular pressure level.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol. Alcoholic beverages will relax the muscles in your throat, which makes it more likely that they will block your airway during your sleep. At the very least, avoid any alcoholic beverages in the evening before you get ready for bed.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can be improved by losing weight if you are obese. Losing about 25 pounds can dramatically improve this condition. For some people that will cure the problem, for others it may just help improve the symptoms that you are experiencing. Try to eat healthy and make sure to get enough exercise every day.
You can reduce the risk factors for sleep apnea. There are some factors that are unavoidable. These can include being male or family genetics. Be this as it may, smokers, drinkers and those who are overweight can reduce their risks.
If you are a smoker, this may be making your sleep apnea more severe. When you smoke a cigarette, the airways in your nose become swollen, restricting the amount of air that you can breathe. Quit smoking if you can. If you can’t give it up entirely, don’t smoke in the evenings before bed.
Don’t give up on treatment for sleep apnea after one doesn’t work. There are a variety of treatments for your condition, so finding the right one is sometimes a process of trial and error. The number and severity of your symptoms influence what treatment is correct one for you. Giving multiple treatments a chance ensures you find the one that works the most effectively.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects many overweight people. One of the first things that should be addressed by anyone suffering from this condition is to lose some weight. Until your weight is normal, your doctor may find it difficult come to an accurate diagnosis of the cause.
The major signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, choking or gasping while sleeping, significant lapses in breathing, and daytime tiredness. Other common symptoms are morning headaches, restless sleep, irritability, waking with a sore throat or dry mouth and even having more frequent runs to the bathroom at night. If you exhibit these, then you should see your doctor promptly.
Remember that you must bring your CPAP machine with you on long air flights, and the airline must know about this in advance. The majority of carriers will make the necessary accommodations, so that you can bring along and use your device. If you happen to be flying overseas on a foreign airline, make sure you have the right power adapter.
Lose weight. If you find yourself having difficulty sleeping, take the time to evaluate your weight. If you are obese, that is likely a major factor in your sleep apnea. Start on a diet and exercise regime right away so that you can slim down and sleep more comfortably every night.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, don’t drink prior to going to sleep. Alcohol causes your palate and tongue relax toward the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to have to stop completely, you’re just not going to want to drink before sleeping.
Your head and your throat should be aligned when you sleep. You can align your airways by sleeping on your side and propping your head with a small pillow. You should try different positions and wait a few minutes in each position to see which one allows you to breathe comfortably.
Battery backup can be a lifesaver for CPAP patients when camping, traveling or during a power outage. A wide array of options have sprung up in battery backup units, with most CPAP manufacturers offering units customized to their machines. At just 2-3 pounds, many units won’t weigh you down, but will happily keep you moving through an active lifestyle.
Finding out you have sleep apnea can be a shock, but you can quickly learn to deal with your condition. You are not alone, and you can learn from others who have come before you. The tried and true tips shared in this article can get you on your way to a good night’s sleep.
