Do you sleep with a loved on who keeps you up with his snoring? Have you ever heard him stop breathing in the middle of the night? You may be dealing with something more serious than simple snoring – sleep apnea. Don’t fret, however, as this article has some great tips!
Excessive weight can be a major contributor to sleep apnea. Every attempt should be made to lose weight if a person is overweight and has sleep apnea. Following a reasonable weight loss plan and exercising is essential. According to recent scientific work, many people looking to lose weight can also benefit from reducing their intake of carbohydrates.
Speak with your physician about getting a mouth piece that can help you breathe better. Sleep apnea can be magnified in effects by small jaws and recessed chins, as well as breathing passageways that are naturally narrow. You can get a mouthpiece to help you when you are sleeping to get better night’s sleep.
Adjust your CPAP machine. Most machines come with default settings that might not correspond to your needs. You should be able to regulate the airflow: try different settings and choose one that seems to work for you. If you feel like your machine is not working like it should, try changing the settings again.
If you have sleep apnea and cannot break the habit of sleeping on your back, try sleeping in a t-shirt with two tennis balls sewn into the back. Making this sleep shirt is a simple project to do at home, and it can help to break you of sleeping on your back. Every time you try to roll over on your back in your sleep, the tennis balls will remind you to roll back onto your side.
If you feel tired every day, you may have sleep apnea. Some of the common signs of sleep apnea include, chronic snoring, pauses in breathing, daytime sleepiness, and choking or gasping during sleep. If your partner notices that you have these symptoms while you are sleeping, you should go to a doctor for an assessment of your condition.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and require a CPAP machine, make sure you have a medical ID bracelet. This is particularly important if you have an accident and require overnight hospitalization. This identification card should tell caregivers that you suffer from sleep apnea, and that you make use of a CPAP set to a specified pressure level to sleep.
If you have sleep apnea and were just prescribed a CPAP, keep trying different masks until you find the one that fits you just right. Some masks may not be the right size or shape for your face. If your CPAP mask is leaking air into your eyes all night or rubbing the skin on your forehead raw, ask your sleep center to prescribe a different mask for you.
Lose a bit of weight to get rid of your sleep apnea. Lots of people have found they can eliminate their sleep apnea by dropping all their excess fat. Even losing a little weight can improve sleep apnea by opening the throat and airway, because there is less pressure on the neck.
If you are concerned your snoring may be sleep apnea, try keeping a sleep diary. You would keep a record of the hours you sleep, how many times you wake at night, and whether you feel refreshed the next day. Also, if you have a bedmate, ask them if your snoring is loud and frequent and if you exhibit any gasping or choking sounds.
Use a device that is aimed at helping you with snoring. Snoring is caused by your airway closing; apnea is when your air passage has closed all together. It is sensible to get a tool that assists with snoring, since it might help with sleep apnea too. If you have a machine to help with snoring it can help with apnea.
Sleeping at a high altitude can worsen your sleep apnea because of the lower levels of oxygen. If you are going to a place located higher than what you are used to, take a CPAP machine with you. The best thing to do would be to completely avoid high altitude.
Consider an alternative sleep apnea flower remedy therapy (also known as essence therapy). Vervain is used in this treatment for its calming and relaxing effects. This can help treat your symptoms, including insomnia problems associated with your apnea. As an added bonus, it also helps reduce overall stress and lower high blood pressure.
One great way to track your sleep progress, especially if you sleep alone, is by recording yourself in the night. The next day you can watch for signs of apnea and see if there are specific times or triggers that cause the apnea. This is a great resource for your medical professional as well.
Believe it or not, it has been scientifically proven that your sleep apnea can be tied to your weight. In a recent study, it was proven that people who have lost at least 25 pounds relieved their sleep apnea symptoms. This drastic slim down should be taken slowly, over the course of at least one year.
Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse. It’s important to find the best position for you to sleep in. You can try using a foam wedge; it will elevate your upper body. Or, if your bed is adjustable, raise it about four inches at one end.
Make sure that your airways are open while you sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea. You can do this by using some nasal strips, a saline nose spray, or a netipot. This will allow you not to struggle so much with your breathing and the better your breathing is, the least symptoms you will experience.
Now that you are better informed about the reality of sleep apnea, it is time to become proactive about it. If your loved on is the sufferer, the first thing to do is pass this article on to him or her. That way you can tackle the problems head on and together.