Any type of sleep disruption can be a terrible problem, but dealing with sleep apnea is a horrible situation that tough to deal with. You can get better sleep in a lot of different ways, if you have sleep apnea. The tips ahead are going to help you deal with sleep apnea.
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.
For people who are using a CPAP machine, you need to take notes to give to your doctor. If you experience any symptoms, like snoring, that were eliminated when you started using the CPAP machine and they come back, you need to let your doctor know. Only your doctor can properly assess any problems.
Alleviate you sleep apnea by loosing weight. Many studies have demonstrated that sleep apnea can be significantly improved or even eliminated when patients slim down. You can go to the gym, join exercise classes or just get out and walk. Taking off the extra pounds will help you sleep more soundly.
Lose the extra weight. Research has shown that losing weight can dramatically improve your sleep apnea symptoms. Losing a few pounds can reduce the amount of pressure on your neck as you sleep, a primary cause of sleep apnea. Some people were even able to completely cure their apnea using this method.
Try your best to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. When your body gets into a customary sleeping cycle, you will find yourself getting a better night’s sleep, and you will also be more relaxed. Several studies have shown that apnea episodes decrease when a person is not sleep deprived or stressed out.
When sleep apnea is an issue, make sure to treat any allergies or problems with sinuses. During the night, you are already dealing with breathing problems. You want to reduce any chance that you have of disturbing your sleep. Try and clear your airways as much as possible, and keep your nasal problems to a minimum.
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea, you need to avoid caffeine and large meals before you go to bed. Stop eating and drinking any caffeinated beverages at least two hours before you go to bed. Both of these are linked to sleep apnea and should be avoided before bedtime.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, some studies show that doing throat exercises may reduce the severity of it. They tone and strengthen the muscles, giving you more control over them. One such exercise is to use your tongue and press on the top of your mouth. Maintain this pressure for around three minutes before releasing. Try this exercise daily.
Some people may experience sleepiness brought on by sleep apnea. Make sure that if you are one of the many who experience this, don’t operate any vehicles or heavy machinery. Do the responsible thing and get the right treatment. Don’t operate any vehicles or machinery without treatment, as you can be a hazard to yourself and others.
If you do not have a partner who can relay how your breathing is during the night, try recording yourself. Set up a camcorder and play it back in the morning. Then you can see if you stop breathing for long periods of time or snore excessively. Make sure you have enough light for the camera. Modern cameras will record well in low light, but you do need some.
There are several tools available to open up nasal passages that work to varying degrees. You should try several of these to see if any of them work well for you. The cheapest and easiest options are nasal strips, but neti pots are also becoming increasingly common for this type of problem.
Do not use a large pillow when you sleep. Propping your head with a pillow will cause your airways to become narrower. Use a thin pillow or try sleeping with your head on your arm if you can. This should help you keep your airways open and sleep more peacefully.
If a breathing device hasn’t solved your sleep apnea problems, then you may want to consider a dental device. There are a variety of types of these, but they can mostly be made by an orthodontist. They work by changing the shape of your mouth and throat while you sleep and removing obstructions.
Sleep apnea sufferers should do everything they can to stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes inflames and irritates nasal tissues, which can make breathing much, much more difficult. Ideally, everyone with sleep apnea should totally give up cigarettes. This is, however, extremely difficult. Smokers with sleep apnea who can’t quit totally, should at least try to avoid smoking in the hours immediately before bedtime.
Look for support groups or an online forum where members share support and suggestions for things that have helped them deal with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea does not happen to a lot of people. You might have the support of your loved ones, yet they may not actually understand what is going on. Find a group for those who have apnea. If you get shy in person, look for online forums that offer tips from others.
Taking daytime naps may help you recover from sleep lost due to sleep apnea during the night. Depriving yourself of sleep can do some serious damage to anyone’s health, and it also hurts your ability feel normal. If it is possible, catch some sleep in the day to charge up.
This is a busy century, and it takes a lot of energy just to get through each day and do everything that is necessary. Do not be held prisoner by your sleep apnea, and get the most from your days by paying heed to the advice in this article.