If you do not know why you are not getting enough sleep, even though you go to bed at a reasonable hour. If you’ve already considered other options, then chances are you do have sleep apnea. If you think that’s the case, don’t worry, just read this article.
Avoid contact with cigarette smoke and consumption of alcohol if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Two of the most common offenders are drinking and smoking. Consuming alcohol can lead to trouble with your respiratory system. Smoking damages all parts of your airways. You will notice a decrease in sleep apnea symptoms by quitting these habits.
Getting a CPAP machine is probably the best option for your sleep apnea. These machines will keep your airways open and help you breathe. You should talk to your doctor about CPAP machines and figure out which model would be the most adapted. This machine should work if you use it properly.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is vital to avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol acts as a sedative, therefore, it will naturally slow down your breathing. In addition, it will relax all the muscles in your body, including those in your throat that help to keep your airway open.
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 are a smoker and suffer from sleep apnea, quit, or at the very least, cut back dramatically. Smoking is dangerous for those who suffer from sleep apnea because it causes swelling to the airways, not to mention all the tar it leaves behind in your lungs and airways.
An excellent way to help lessen the effects of sleep apnea is by losing weight. There are a number of people who only need to lose a few pounds to entirely stop their sleep apnea episodes. Loosing even a little weight can allow you to breathe more freely and get a good night’s sleep.
A great way to ensure that you do not sleep on your back and cause sleep apnea to occur is to use a tennis ball to prevent rolling onto your back. You can place one in a pillow behind your back and when you roll over in your sleep, the tennis ball will make you roll back on your side.
Stop smoking as soon as you find out you have sleep apnea. Smoking causes swelling in the upper airway, which makes sleep apnea worse. If you are struggling to quit, join a program, or try using nicotine-replacement therapy, such as patches. After 30 days of dedication, you should almost be cured from being addicted to smoking. After that, the nicotine starts to leave your body and the cravings lessen.
If you have a CPAP machine, you should always have it with you. Using a different machine might not work as well since the settings or the mask might be different. If you have to go to the hospital, have someone bring your machine so you can keep on using it.
Getting a sufficient amount of sleep every night (about 7 to 8 hours) helps to decrease sleep apnea episodes. It has been proven that sleep apnea is less likely to occur when the body is well rested and relaxed. Try to have a specific sleep schedule and stick to it each night.
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.
Keep a generator at home. If there is a power outage, your CPAP machine will stop functioning. Some CPAP machines have a battery that will kick in if the power goes out but you should invest in a quality generator in case you have to remain without power for several hours.
If you are drowsy, listen to your body. If you are not getting enough sleep at night because of sleep apnea, you are more likely to feel drowsy during the day. This indicates that your treatments are not effective. So, when you are feeling drowsy on a regular basis, consider visiting your doctor to re-discuss your treatment options and your current apnea treatment plan.
If you suffer from sleep apnea now might be the time to see the doctor. There are a multitude of prescription medications available that can help you rest more fully throughout the night. amongst these medications are Lunesta, Ambien, and Rozerem, to name a few. Each of these will help you get a full 8 hours of restful sleep.
If you suspect that you are afflicted with sleep apnea, then you need to schedule a visit to your physician to know for sure. This type of test can help you figure out if you’re suffering from sleep apnea and the intensity of the condition. Even if you’re experiencing relatively mild sleep apnea, having a firm diagnosis of the condition enables you to take steps towards treating it.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s important that you stay away from sleeping pills, cough syrup, or any other medication that may make you drowsy before going to sleep. These medications over-relax the throat muscles during sleep, even causing them to “collapse”, making it hard for enough air to come through.
Do you now feel much more confident in dealing with your sleep apnea? With these tips, you will be better able to get the restful sleep you need. You should keep in mind that your sleep apnea will not clear up overnight. Stick with it and eventually things will improve.