A lot of people think that there’s nothing they can do if they never get a good night’s sleep. The fact of the matter is that sleep apnea afflicts lots of people and is never realized as the culprit. Reading the rest of this article will tell you much of what you should know regarding sleep apnea.
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.
A healthy diet can help you lose weight and combat sleep apnea. Changing from a poor diet to a healthy one can transform your sleep apnea symptoms. Research shows that people who eat an unhealthy diet have more severe apnea than some overweight people who eat healthier.
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.
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.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Getting buzzed or drunk causes your airways to relax too much. If someone goes to sleep in a drunk state, you can hear the effects from their deep snoring. In someone who already suffers from sleep apnea, it can be very dangerous. Avoid alcoholic drinks to sleep safer.
You can wear a chin strap with your CPAP if you have problems with your mouth falling open as you sleep. The chin strap will help hold you chin up during the time you are sleep which keeps your mouth closed. Your mouth needs to remain closed for CPAP therapy to be effective.
If nothing is working to better your sleep apnea, try talking to a doctor about more aggressive treatments. There are people that don’t respond well to traditional sleep apnea treatments, and sometimes they have to have surgery. This surgery may involve removing the adenoids, enlarging the airway or removing the tonsils.
Being overweight is a common cause of sleep apnea. If you suffer from this condition, losing weight can help you find relief. Talk to your doctor to find some safe and effective ways of dropping a few pounds. Doing so will also benefit you in many other ways as well.
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.
Sleep apnea is not something that should be ignored, because it will not go away without treatment. Various treatment regimens and choices are effective for certain individuals, but not necessarily all. Losing weight will help minimize symptoms in many patients, but sleep apnea can occur in very thin individuals as well as those who are overweight. Although surgery may be required to relieve your sleep apnea, many non-surgical options are available. Some prefer surgery to avoid daily contraptions. Working with your doctor to identify the best approach for your apnea issues will increase your opportunity to live a healthy and well-rested life.
While it is common sense to avoid caffeine before sleeping, this is especially true for people who have problems with snoring or apnea. This is a simple thing to cut out, just remember that this includes soft drinks, coffee and even some types of coffee flavored foods. This will also help you sleep faster.
All sleep apnea patients can benefit from information found through the AWAKE Foundation. AWAKE sponsors support groups across the country that are dedicated to educating and informing the public on issues and treatment options related to sleep apnea. These meetings frequently showcase new equipment and mask options for CPAP patients, as well as updates on new trends in treatment. With chapters in most regional areas, AWAKE serves as a very effective support service for patients and their families to get sound and reliable information to improve their health.
Those who suffer from sleep apnea may need to consider a simpler solution for their problem. Fixing your sleeping schedule and sticking to a regular bedtime every night can be a great help. Also ensure that where you sleep has optimal conditions to help you fall asleep. With poor sleeping conditions you run the risk of having recurring sleeping issues.
Some types of sleep apnea are able to be corrected using oral appliances. The reason for this is that some people have abnormally shaped jaws, which naturally narrows the airways. Your jaw’s alignment is improved with corrective devices, allowing more air to flow.
If you believe you’ve got sleep apnea, try seeing your doctor and getting a sleep test. This test can determine if you’ve got sleep apnea and how severe it is. Following the evaluation you can begin to look at treatment options, no matter how mild your case may be.
The time to mention sleep apnea to your health care provider is now if you have had it for some time. Trying to tough it out yourself won’t change anything; you need to see a doctor. Share these tips with other family members and friends who are having trouble sleeping at night. Do not be afraid of asking your doctor about the tips provided above.
