Even a small case of sleep apnea can cause big problems; nobody needs to go through their day on compromised sleep! If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know how challenging it can be to endure. The following article is written to enlighten you about some of the remedies and coping mechanisms for sleep apnea.
Try losing some weight. Getting into shape has many benefits. If you are on the heavier side and suffering from sleep apnea, you may find that slimming down helps with that as well. Studies have found that overweight and obese individuals are more likely to find relief from sleep apnea by getting themselves to a healthier weight.
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.
If you are unsure whether or not you have sleep apnea, consider setting up an audio or video recorder next to your bed. When you review the recording, watch or listen for choking, gasping or other signs that you are not getting enough air as you sleep. Present your findings to your doctor if you suspect that you do have apnea.
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.
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.
Weight loss can have a major impact on those with sleep apnea. Sometimes, sleep apnea is due to the excess weight around the neck area. Losing weight can reduce pressure on the airways and cause better airflow when breathing at night.
You need to have patience when you realize you have sleep apnea. There are treatments that work for some, but not others. Obesity, asthma and allergies can all contribute to sleeping problems. You can use options like CPAP machines to help you sleep at night. Some people do prefer surgery over any other types of sleep apnea alleviation methods. Whatever you and your doctor thinks is the best for you, treatment is important in improving your sleep quality.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help anyone dealing with sleep apnea. Once you can get on a schedule and stick to it, you will notice that your symptoms will decrease as your body gets more sleep. Make a routine that works for your lifestyle, and do your best to stick to it.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, ask your sleep partner to listen to your breathing while you sleep. See if they detect loud snoring as you get deeper into sleep. In addition, ask if they notice any periods when you appear to stop breathing for a time and then suddenly let out a loud snort and start breathing again. If you sleep alone, consider tape recording yourself to listen for these breathing abnormalities.
If you currently are using a CPAP machine for sleeping, ask your general practitioner to prescribe a humidifier that is heated as well. A humidifier will help keep the air moist for better breathing and to avoid chafing from the mask. Lots of CPAP machines have humidifiers built in. Check with your doctor to see if he or she can prescribe a humidifier for you.
Getting fitted for a mouth guard may help reduce your sleep apnea if you have an overbite, a small size jaw or a recessed chin. The position of your jawbone can actually block your airways when you have these problems. Using a mouth guard will help correct this issue, and can reduce the symptoms that you are struggling with.
Do not use a large pillow when you sleep. Propping your head with a pillow will cause your airways to become narrower. Use a thin pillow or try sleeping with your head on your arm if you can. This should help you keep your airways open and sleep more peacefully.
Keep a humidifier in your room to keep your skin from getting to dry while using CPAP devices. A humidifier will increase the moisture in the room to keep your skin from getting too dry and irritated. You might also want to try an intensive lotion for dry skin.
Consider looking into an alternative therapy to help your sleep apnea symptoms. Some sleep apnea sufferers have found that flower therapy have helped relieve some of the associated symptoms. It has been proven that Vervain is very effective in this flower therapy as it has a calming and relaxing effect on people.
Sleep apnea sufferers should do everything they can to stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes inflames and irritates nasal tissues, which can make breathing much, much more difficult. Ideally, everyone with sleep apnea should totally give up cigarettes. This is, however, extremely difficult. Smokers with sleep apnea who can’t quit totally, should at least try to avoid smoking in the hours immediately before bedtime.
Getting used to a CPAP machine takes some time. If your doctor prescribes this treatment for your sleep apnea, get used to the machine by trying the mask on during the day, gradually wearing it for longer periods each time. This allows you to get comfortable with the machine, so you will be able to sleep with it.
Hopefully this article has given you some very useful advice on controlling sleep apnea. Life is miserable when you haven’t gotten sufficient sleep and when it happens too often, everything suffers. Take the necessary steps to get control of your sleep apnea now with the tips from this article and finally get the sleep you deserve!
