Sleep apnea is a lot more common than one might think. Many people have this disorder, whether they know it or not. When it comes to dealing with sleep apnea there are some things that you can do to make living with it less of an inconvenience. Continue reading to learn a few things that can make your life with sleep apnea more enjoyable.
Do you regularly smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol? Eliminate bad habits. The reason is because these harmful substances impact your airways, and as a result, your sleep. Smoking swells up your airways while alcohol relaxes them. Both of these things can result in sleep apnea. If losing these habits is not possible, then at least limit yourself before going to bed.
Consider using a mouth guard when you sleep. If your jaw is improperly aligned, this could lead to issues with sleep apnea. The alignment of your jaw has a lot to do with whether or not you are getting sufficient airflow. Being fitted for a mouth guard can help your breathe while it’s correcting the problem.
Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes is bad for you for many different reasons. Smoking can also cause sleep apnea. It isn’t just bad for your lungs; it can also cause your upper airway to swell. This can make it difficult for you to get the breath that you need at night.
Make sure to provide relief for your allergies. Congestion can make it harder to breathe through your nose and force you to take in air through your mouth. Allergies can cause soft tissues to swell and make apnea much more severe. Research the medicines you use to treat your symptoms and be wary of adding side effects to the mix.
Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a “stuffed up” nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst.
If you are a smoker, this may be making your sleep apnea more severe. When you smoke a cigarette, the airways in your nose become swollen, restricting the amount of air that you can breathe. Quit smoking if you can. If you can’t give it up entirely, don’t smoke in the evenings before bed.
Sleep apnea events can be decreased by keeping regular sleep hours. Going to bed and getting up at approximately the same time every day will provide better and more relaxed sleep. This simple lifestyle change can be a big help when sleep apnea is in the mild to moderate range.
Learn to play a woodwind instrument. It is a great hobby, and it will help you exercise weak muscles to help you breathe at night. By playing a wind instrument you are strengthening these muscles, making it easier for you to manage them and lessening the severity of your sleep apnea.
While you may not be obese or even very overweight, even a couple of extra pounds can cause sleep apnea. That means even if you have a little belly, you should work to get rid of it and see if that removes your sleeping problems. You will thank yourself for it afterwards.
Smokers who also suffer from sleep apnea need to make a difficult decision. Research shows that smoking can worsen sleeping problems such as snoring and apnea, so those who like to light up need to really look into themselves and decide what is more important, nicotine or a great night’s sleep.
Quit smoking. Smoking any kind of tobacco inflames all of your airways, which can make it more difficult for you to breathe at night. If you cannot stop altogether, work on cutting down throughout the day, particularly in the evening before you go to sleep. This will help your nasal passages to open so sleep is easier.
Check with your doctor about any medications that you are taking that may be causing your sleep apnea symptoms. Some prescription medications, such as muscle relaxers, may, in fact, promote the collapse of the soft tissue in the back of the throat which can contribute to the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Keep in contact with your physician if you have sleep apnea. A doctor will be able to give you all the latest information on treatments and how you can best remedy this situation. If you try something new, follow-up with your doctor in about a month so you can tell him how the treatment is working.
When dealing with sleep apnea you never want to drink alcohol right before going to sleep. Your throat muscles become relaxed, and it makes it harder for you to breath during sleep. You don’t have to give up alcohol entirely; just shy away from drinking close to bed time.
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.
Use a tennis ball to help you sleep on your side. When you sleep on your back, you can have a hard time breathing, so make sure that you do something that helps you avoid back sleeping. A tennis ball sewn into the back of your pajamas will feel uncomfortable if you sleep on your back, so your body will learn to be on the side.
Learn to control anxiety, to lessen the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. Just facing a restless night of sleep can create enough anxiety to keep you up! Learn effective anxiety-control methods that will enable you to clear your mind of problems, including the possibility of experiencing sleep apnea, so that you increase the chances of actually getting to sleep.
As you can see, there are options when it comes to dealing with sleep apnea. This condition can have a negative impact on your life, but there are some things you can do yo make living with it a little easier. Use what you learned here and sleep better with sleep apnea.
