Living with sleep apnea can be tiring, miserable and terrifying. It can ruin your days and possibly end your life. When you live with this condition, you want to do anything you can to lessen the danger. Use the helpful advice contained in the following article to help you treat your sleep apnea.
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 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.
You should know that getting a CPAP machine is not going to make your symptoms go away for good. These machines will help you sleep better and perhaps reduce your symptoms on the long term. Keep in mind that you really need to use your machine every night for this treatment to work.
Sleep Apnea patients using a CPAP machine may find that a humidifier is their best friend. The continuous passage of air from the machine can dry out sensitive nasal membranes, creating discomfort. A room humidifier, placed near the machine, often provides the humidification needed for comfortable sleep. If that isn’t sufficient, machines with integrated humidification chambers are available and allow the patient to customize the amount of moisture they receive.
Sleep apnea sufferers should always invest in a heated humidifier equipped with a bacterial filtering mechanism for use in the room where they sleep. By utilizing this type of machine, it is possible to guard against the fragile membranes that line the lungs and nasal passages, preventing exacerbation of existing symptoms.
Get a mouth guard made especially for sleep. If you have a recessed chin, overbite or a small jaw, they way your jaw sits while you sleep may be causing the breathing problems while you sleep by narrowing your airways. A mouth guard can correct this and help you sleep better.
People who use alcohol, sedatives, and sleeping pills are far more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. This is because these drugs will relax the throat and cause their breathing to be impaired. Using these drugs before bedtime is more likely to cause sleep apnea than using these drugs during the day.
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.
If you are a trucker who has sleep apnea, take precautions to stay safe on the road. First of all, get yourself properly diagnosed and treated. If your doctor prescribes a CPAP, use it. They are small and easily portable and can run on battery power if necessary. Try to stay fit and get regular sleep to keep your condition under control.
While sedatives and other sleep medications may help you fall asleep they are not so good when suffering from apnea. If possible, avoid taking any sleep aids to see if this improves your apnea problems. You just may find that something you thought was helping you to sleep was actually decreasing the quality of your sleep.
If your nasal airways are too narrow, try using nasal strips. These can be bought in any pharmacy and will not damage your airways like sprays do. Choose a quality product and apply the strips right before you go to bed. Breathing should be a little easier with these strips.
Invest in a pillow that is made for sleep apnea sufferers. These pillows are designed especially for people who suffer from sleep apnea. They align your head and neck properly to ensure that your airway stays open while you sleep. Although more expensive than regular pillows, they are much less expensive than surgery or CPAP machines, so they are worth a try before you take more drastic measures.
Some sleep apnea patients find that aromatherapy help them a lot. Aromatherapy consists in smelling essential oils or flowers. Smells such as vervain are known to have a soothing effect: this smell could help you relax and go to sleep right away. You should talk to your doctor about aromatherapy and try it!
Make sure you set the stage right for good sleep. Avoid going to sleep too late, or going to sleep in a loud or noisy environment. When you create a relaxing atmosphere, you are better able to fall into sleep naturally and comfortably, which decreases the chances of any problem.
Work with your personal health care provider in curing your sleep apnea. It is important that you get proper treatment for your sleep problems. Always keep your physician informed about your symptoms and any problems you are experiencing. They will be able to help you find the cure for your sleep apnea.
Stick to your treatment routine. You may be tempted to skip one or two nights, but you will pay the price the next day by not feeling sufficiently alert. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for a good night’s sleep and better daytime functioning.
Make sure your doctor knows about other conditions you have and all the medications you take. Some medications you may take for other conditions can be causing your apnea or making it worse. Your doctor may be able to make adjustments in your medications that can relieve your sleep apnea.
As stated in the introduction above, sleep apnea can cause a lot of hardship in your life, especially when left untreated. But, luckily there are many things you can do to reduce the occurrence of this condition. Use the advice above to get your sleep apnea under control and sleep easier.
