Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? You no doubt have a lot of questions and concerns relating to your condition. There are lots of helpful tips you can use to make your adjustment much easier. This article will give you some steps to take to help you deal with you sleep disorder.
Sleep apnea can be connected to your weight. If you are overweight, consider going on a diet to lose a few pounds. Studies have shown that overweight people who suffer from sleep apnea were able to improve their symptoms by losing about 25 pounds in a year: give it a try!
If your sleep apnea is a result of narrow airways, look at options for a mouth guard. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. Speak with your doctor to see if you should get a specially fitted mouth guard.
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.
You must be careful not to use sedating medications if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Anything that sedates you will slow down your breathing, especially when you go to sleep. When you are sedated by medication, your throat muscles will relax and collapse more quickly as you sleep.
Avoid using sleeping pills and do not be tempted to consume alcohol before bedtime. Both sleeping pills and alcohol are sedatives, which can interfere with your breathing, as they cause your throat muscles to relax. You should also avoid other types of sedatives, including some prescription painkillers and many street drugs.
If you do not know if your snoring is from sleep apnea or just simple snoring, try using a sleep diary. In this diary, you will need to record how much time you spend in bed, the number of times that you awaken each night, and how tired you feel when you arise in the morning.
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.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s very important for you to sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back at all costs, as this position does not allow enough air to get into your airways. To prevent yourself from sleeping on your back, put a tennis ball in the back of your pajamas.
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.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP when you sleep at night, do not neglect your filters. It can be easy to forget about this, but you need to make sure your machine operates at maximum efficiency. Wash your reusable filter at least every week, and replace your white pollen filter at least once a month.
If you use a CPAP machine and suffer from dry mouth as a result, there are two solutions. First, try increasing the humidity of your system. If that doesn’t work, you can also try a chin strap. One or both of these solutions can prevent the air leakage that causes dry mouth.
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.
One way to reduce problems with sleep apnea is to start playing a wind instrument. These types of instruments will actually train your muscles in your upper airways, which are the muscles needed to control airway dilation while you are sleeping. Not only will you sleep better, you will also have a new skill to show off!
Cut down on alcohol use. When you drink, the alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, making it easier for them to obstruct your airway and “collapse.” Don’t have alcohol within 4 or 5 hours before going to sleep to avoid this, if you want to continue to drink at all.
Throat exercise will strengthen the muscles in the throat, keeping them from collapsing during the night. Try pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth, then hold it there for two or three minutes. You can also use a balloon. First take a deep breath through your nasal passages, then inflate the balloon as much as possible. Repeat this five times. These exercises will strengthen your airway muscles.
If you have think you might have sleep apnea or already suffer from snoring, try to use some over the counter nasal strips. These small strips attach to your nose with adhesive, lifting open your nasal passages. If your sleep apnea is related to a nasal obstruction, the strips may improve the quality of your sleep.
Surgery may be your answer. If you have tried the at-home treatments with no success, surgery may be required to cure your sleep apnea. If your apnea is caused by severe misalignment of your jaw, you may require surgery to correct your alignment, thus enlarging your airway and curing the sleep apnea.
Finding out you have sleep apnea can be a shock, but you can quickly learn to deal with your condition. You are not alone, and you can learn from others who have come before you. The tried and true tips shared in this article can get you on your way to a good night’s sleep.
