You may feel that your sleep apnea diagnosis is the end of your world. Perhaps you have never felt so alone as when your doctor gave you the news. Take heart though, because you are definitely not alone. Thousands are diagnosed with sleep apnea every year, and you can learn from their experiences.
Try losing a few pounds, if you suffer from chronic sleep apnea. Controlled studies have proven that people with this sleep disturbance benefit greatly after losing 20 or more pounds. Symptoms may even diminish completely, so you now have yet another reason to get your weight down to a healthier number!
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.
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.
People who do not have a partner sleeping with them may not know they suffer from sleep apnea. If you wake up with a dry or sore mouth, wake up out of breath, have morning headaches, insomnia, and/or go to the bathroom frequently during the night, you may have sleep apnea and should talk to a doctor.
Moderate your alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol relaxes the muscles of your throat and airway. While this might often be a desirable side effect of drinking, it can also cause sleep apnea. Because alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, your airway is harder to control. If you absolutely must drink, then do it in moderation and certainly not right when you’re about to go to sleep.
Sleep apnea can be present in children. If a child in your home shows symptoms like low grades in school, hostility, irritability, hyperactivity, inattention or mouth breathing, you should consider sleep apnea as a possibility to investigate. These symptoms are quite similar to ADHD, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis because treatments for these two disorders are quite different.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not take pills. Sleeping pills can interfere with your throat muscles and with your airway. If you have sleep apnea it can be life threatening to take sleeping pills.
If you use a CPAP machine, make sure the mask fits well. Most people who quit using their CPAP machine usually say it is because the machine is uncomfortable. There are a number of different masks available, so you are not forced to use one that causes discomfort. Try out many different styles to find the right one.
Speak with your doctor about writing you a prescription for a heated humidifier if you have a CPAP machine to sleep. If the air you are taking in is moist and warm, you will have a better night’s sleep. A lot of the CPAP machines now have a humidifier built in, so find out if you can be prescribed one of those.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, try to replace your mask and hose every six months. Most insurance policies allow for a new mask and hose every six months, and some allow you to replace them every three months. The mask can stop fitting well after several months of use, and the hose can develop small cracks or holes that let air leak. Replace these items to keep getting the best CPAP therapy possible.
Reduce your weight to combat sleep apnea. Increased weight is often a cause of sleep apnea because the increased weight causes the airways to be narrower, thus allowing them to collapse more easily during sleep. By dropping your weight you can reduce the compression the airways and minimize issues while sleeping.
How you sleep each night can determine the quality of sleep you get and how bad your sleep apnea really is. Therefore, you need to be careful about the way you sleep. If you must sleep on your back, elevate your head and the top half of your body slightly. An alternative method is to angle your bed so that the head is approximately four inches above the foot.
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 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.
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.
Make sure your CPAP mask fits properly. You may be reluctant to use the CPAP at all, but the mask could be the reason for your problems. Talk to your doctor about how you feel with the CPAP machine, and he or she may be able to recommend better masks for you that fit well and feel better.
A sleep apnea diagnosis is definitely not the end of your happy little world. In fact, it might just be the start of a whole new healthier chapter in your life. Take the tips you learned in this article, and start to make positive changes in your life that can help you to rest easier.
