Living life with poor quality sleep is very hard, but dealing with the sleep apnea symptoms makes it that much harder to enjoy. Luckily, there are many ways to address sleep apnea and get better rest. Checking out the advice presented below is a great way to start.
One way to fight against sleep apnea is to give up vices. In particular, alcohol and cigarettes are bad for you. Drinking potentially causes extreme breathing issues because it reduces the ability of your respiratory system to function. Smoking damages your lungs over time. Losing these terrible habits will help a great deal when it comes to alleviating your sleep apnea symptoms.
Go to the doctor to get a mouth guard that is custom made. They make these mouth guards specifically for people that suffer from sleep apnea. It is a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and is much more comfortable to wear at night. The soft tissues are given the support that they need to keep the airways open.
If you have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, join a CPAP support group. It can be quite difficult to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face every night. Sitting in a room full of other people going through the same thing can be very empowering. You can learn from others who have had the same issues you are having and made adjustments to make it work.
Drink less alcohol and smoke less if you suffer from sleep apnea. Alcoholic beverages cause the upper airway to become overly relaxed, and smoking causes swelling in your airway. So, cutting back or completely giving up both can improve your symptoms or even cure your sleep apnea problem completely.
Everyone who snores does not have sleep apnea. Conversely, everyone who has sleep apnea does not necessarily snore either. How do you know the difference? The biggest signs are how you feel during the course of a normal day. Snoring does not interfere with the sleep quality the same way that sleep apnea does. With snoring you are less likely to suffer from fatigue during the day.
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.
You should always consult a physician when you have sleep apnea, but there are things you can do for yourself too. Quitting smoking and losing weight are beneficial to anyone, particularly those that have sleep apnea. Curtail alcohol, heavy foods and caffeine before bedtime also.
A great way to know if you are experiencing severe apnea is to keep a sleep journal. Write down all the times that you wake up in the night and also record how you feel in the morning. This will help you to have a record to see your progress.
If you use a CPAP device for your sleep apnea, you should look into getting a heated humidifier also. The humid, warm air enables CPAP users to have a much easier time getting restful 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 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.
Make sure that your airways are open while you sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea. You can do this by using some nasal strips, a saline nose spray, or a netipot. This will allow you not to struggle so much with your breathing and the better your breathing is, the least symptoms you will experience.
Sleep apnea is caused by a blockage when you are sleeping, that results in a cessation of breathing. In order to address this, you can buy an over the counter nose strip. This will help ensure that your airways are open for the duration of your sleep, and as such you will not be affected by sleep apnea.
Invite your significant other to come with you to your next doctor’s appointment. Not only will this educate your partner on sleep apnea, he or she can also inform your doctor about your condition through reporting on first hand experiences. Your partner can, better than you, describe the patterns that are occurring while you are sleeping.
Because allergy symptoms can increase apnea episodes, discuss your allergies with your doctor to find the safest ways to treat them. Certain antihistamines should probably be avoided, as they may lead to your airways becoming too relaxed. For this reason, follow your doctor’s advice regarding medications that are safe for your condition.
Mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms can be greatly reduced by exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet and maintaining healthy sleep patterns. All of these lifestyle choices help you get more restful sleep, stay at a healthy weight and have a greater sense of overall well being. These factors can lead to a decrease in the risk of sleep apnea episodes.
Eat a nutritious and healthy diet, and beware going to bed overly hungry, full or caffeinated. In any of these instances, your body will not be performing at an optimum level. The chances of you then having sleep issues raises significantly. If you must eat something, reach for a banana. Studies have shown that bananas actually help being on a deep sleep.
Life is full of enough difficulties; sleeplessness does not have to be one of them. We hope that this article has given you excellent sleep apnea tips you can utilize so that you can hopefully sleep really well tonight and for the rest of your life.
