Sleep apnea is a condition that often goes undiagnosed in sufferers and can vary in severity of occurrences. This problem happens when you have a blockage in the airways while asleep and this causes a person to breathe improperly. Read this information to learn more about this worrisome and sometimes deadly condition.
Get a mouth guard to help you sleep at night. A mouth guard opens your airway and facilitate nighttime breathing. Ask your doctor about sleep mouth guards, and get fitted for one if you believe this could be the right solution for you.
One sure-fire way to combat the problems posed by sleep apnea is proper weight management. People usually find that sleep apnea can be remedied by shedding those extra pounds. In fact, you don’t have to lose a lot of weight to open up the airways and the throat.
If you have to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, you may find it hard to get used to at first. It is important that you do not quit using the machine, though. Focus on the benefits of the machine rather than the inconvenience. It will make life safer for yourself and others. Daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnea is a major risk factor for car accidents, for instance.
Avoid any type of drugs or alcohol if you are experiencing any type of sleep apnea. Drugs and alcohol will slow down your respiratory system, and that is known to be one of the causes of sleep apnea. If you are struggling with this issue, try to get some professional help to overcome these addictions.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine to sleep at night, consider buying a marine battery as a backup power source. When you have sleep apnea, it is important that you use your CPAP any time you sleep. If your power should go out for any reason, you will still be able to use your CPAP at night using the battery hook up.
Don’t drink alcohol, especially at night. The reason most people drink alcohol is to relax, but it also causes the muscles that control your airways to relax as well. When you go to sleep with ultra-relaxed airway muscles, it can make your sleep apnea symptoms worse. Do your body and your wallet a favor and cut out the booze.
One way to determine whether or not you may have sleep apnea is to have your partner report what they see, hear and feel during the night. While you might not notice yourself waking up, your partner may hear you snoring, tossing and turning, or gasping in the wee hours.
If your physician prescribes a CPAP machine for treating your sleep apnea, ask for a heated humidifier and additional bacterial filters for your machine. The durable medical equipment supplier may not automatically provide these, but they will help to minimize bacterial growth and keep your nasal passages moist and comfortable.
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.
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 oftentimes take sleeping pills in an effort to get a good night’s sleep. This is a huge mistake. Taking sleeping pills will actually make it harder for you to breathe while you sleep. This is because sleeping pills relax throat muscles, which leads to your throat getting blocked off. Sleeping pills can also cause lead to a number of other problems, including addiction.
If you are like most people who suffer from sleep apnea, you lie on your back when sleeping. Sleeping on your back will make it much easier for your tongue and tissues in your throat to obstruct your airway and cause obstructive sleep apnea. Even though you may try to remedy this issue by falling asleep while lying on your side, you’ll probably roll onto your back not long after you falling asleep. To keep from rolling onto your back, use pillows to prop you up so you remain sleeping on your side. If using pillows doesn’t keep you sleeping on your side, place a small rubber ball into a sock and stitch it to the rear of your sleep shirt. If you try to roll onto your back, this ball will feel very uncomfortable to you, and you can soon “program” yourself to sleep through the night, while lying on your side.
If you suffer from allergies, make sure that you bedroom is clean. Allergens in your sleeping environment can certainly worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. Be sure to vacuum carpeted areas regularly, and keep window treatments dust-free. Avoid having pets in your bedroom if you can help it, and wash your bedding frequently.
If you notice that one of your relatives has unusual sleep patterns, snores a lot and always look tired, this might mean they have sleep apnea and are not aware of it. Tell them what you know about this condition and encourage them to go see a doctor for some tests.
If you are struggling adjusting to CPAP therapy for your sleep apnea, make an effort to educate yourself thoroughly about the equipment. Find out all you can about the different types of CPAP machines and masks. Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when you are trying to make positive changes to improve your health.
After reading this article, you should now know what sleep apnea is and how it affects people’s lives. It is imperative to consult your doctor if you need even more knowledge, and especially if you think you suffer from sleep apnea.
