Sleep gives back to us what we wipe out during the day: energy! If sleep apnea is interfering in your ability to recoup every night, take action by educating yourself. Begin by reading the following tips that can have you back in control of the zzz’s in no time at all!
If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, lose some weight. Being over-weight or obese can affect your breathing severely and can cause many health problems, including sleep apnea. Those individuals who lost at least twenty to twenty-five excess pounds saw a marked improvement in respiratory issues related to sleep apnea.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are a big problem for people who have sleep apnea. Drinking relaxes your airway to prevent proper breathing. When you smoke, you fill your lungs with carcinogens and cause severe damage. Your sleep apnea symptoms will improve if you give up both of these unhealthy habits completely.
Make sure that the mask you use on your CPAP machine fits properly. Often, people will stop using their CPAP because the mask does not fit right. If your mask is uncomfortable, try getting a different mask. There are many different masks available, so choose one that fits right and is comfortable to use.
Get a CPAP mask that fits your face perfectly. If the mask that comes with your CPAP machine is too narrow or too loose, you will probably experience discomfort when you sleep and the machine might not work properly. Get a customized mask if you need to: the expense will be worth it.
You should know that getting a CPAP machine is not going to make your symptoms go away for good. These machines will help you sleep better and perhaps reduce your symptoms on the long term. Keep in mind that you really need to use your machine every night for this treatment to work.
Understand the effects that smoking and drinking alcohol have on sleep apnea, if you are trying to get a grip on your quality of sleep. Smoking enlarges airways, while alcohol can relax them too much, both of which will contribute to the symptoms of sleep apnea severely. Consider making the necessary cut-backs that will cut down on your sleep problems.
Sleep apnea is not a condition to take likely. Talk with your doctor immediately if you see any of the warning symptoms. An official diagnosis might mean consultation with a sleep specialist, a sleep test and monitoring to get a whole grasp on your situation.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, have a regular bedtime. Remember, your sleep is already being disrupted by your condition. Any steps you take towards a regular sleeping schedule will help you get a better night’s sleep. The best thing you can do is to be sure you’re going to sleep and getting up every day during the same time.
Take your CPAP device with you when you are going to the hospital. Whether you have a planned hospitalization or you need to go to the emergency room, you should have your CPAP and mask available for use while you are there. The settings will be prepared and you won’t have to adjust the pressure. This will make your stay a little more comfortable.
A good way to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea is by recording yourself when you sleep. You can do either an audio or video recording to catch your sleep patterns and sounds you generate when you are in a deep slumber. These recordings can be quite informative. Try doing them for several nights in a row to get a good range of information.
The first thing to do when you think you are dealing with sleep apnea is to discover if it is really apnea or just advanced snoring. If you have a loved one sleeping with you, this can be done alone at home, but if not you may need to visit a sleep clinic.
You can cut down on the sleep apnea symptoms you experience by making your throat muscles stronger. When the muscles at the back of your throat collapse, your breathing can be reduced. When your muscles are strenghthened they will not block your air passages.
If you have sleep apnea and have been using your current CPAP machine for five years or more, see if it is time to get it replaced. CPAP technology is rapidly changing all the time. Many insurance policies allow for a new CPAP machine every five years. If yours does, consider upgrading to the newest CPAP so you can get the best treatment possible.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at night, consider using saline nasal spray. The continuous airflow being pushed through your nose every time you sleep can cause your sinuses to dry out. Keep them hydrated by using two pumps of saline nasal spray in each nostril morning and night.
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.
Quit smoking. Not only is it a good idea to quit smoking for your health in general, but it will also help with your sleep apnea. Smoking affects your lungs and respiratory system, causing your airways to swell and exacerbating your sleep apnea. By quitting, you allow your airways to return to normal and as an added bonus, you’ll also save a ton of money!
Facing the morning with little to no sleep is brutal, much less the entire day ahead of you! Don’t let sleep apnea rob you of vital rest any longer; put the tips from this article to work for you tonight and start getting the high-quality sleep your body and life demand.
