Sleep apnea proves a very serious problem that individuals of all generations can face. Unfortunately, many people don’t know their options, and they just choose to try and deal with the condition. This article will give you important advice about sleep apnea so that you no longer need to suffer needlessly.
Some people have problems using the CPAP machine to deal with their sleep apnea. The best advice is to stick with it. It is not a cure, but it does treat your sleep apnea. If you stop using it, you still have sleep apnea, so you need to keep using the machine regularly.
Taking up a musical instrument (especially a wind instrument) can have a positive effect on your sleep apnea. Instruments like the didgeridoo can help you relieve yourself from sleep apnea conditions. The upper air passage muscles control the size of your airway. Because of these movements, if you play this instrument regularly, you can control your sleep apnea symptoms and get a better night’s rest.
Try to avoid sleeping at high altitudes. High altitudes can worsen sleep apnea. The air in high altitudes is much thinner and, consequently, more difficult to breathe. Sleep apnea is already causing your body to take in less oxygen at night. A high altitude environment can only exacerbate your condition.
If you’re a sleep apnea sufferer undergoing CPAP treatment, don’t forget to take your machine along if you’re going to the hospital. While a hospital will have CPAP machines, you may be much more comfortable with a machine that already fits you well. This is preset to your breathing pressure. In addition, you’ll be using the same mask you’ve been accustomed to using each night. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
People who use alcohol, sedatives, and sleeping pills are far more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. This is because these drugs will relax the throat and cause their breathing to be impaired. Using these drugs before bedtime is more likely to cause sleep apnea than using these drugs during the day.
Having your sleep apnea diagnosed by your physician is important; however, some options for self-help may be beneficial to you. Everyone can benefit from getting thinner or quitting smoking, but this goes double for those suffering from sleep apnea. You should stay away from alcohol, anything caffeinated and even heavier meals within the hours leading up to bed time.
New apnea patients who are being fitted for CPAP equipment should insist on trying out several mask options. It is customary for the DME providers (Durable Medical Equipment) to show up at your door with a CPAP machine and a basic mask. Truth be told, there are many different styles of masks, and finding the best style for you dramatically improves your compliance with the CPAP therapy. Take the upper hand and insist that they show you a variety of masks, even if you have to go into their showroom. Like so many health issues, knowledge is the key. You will get better service and far more relief by knowing your options and speaking your mind.
Learn to recognize sleep apnea. If you snore a lot or choke and can’t breathe during the night, this is probably a sign of sleep apnea. Use a tape recorded if you sleep alone and listen to the tape to find out how much noise you make during the night.
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.
If you do not have a partner who can relay how your breathing is during the night, try recording yourself. Set up a camcorder and play it back in the morning. Then you can see if you stop breathing for long periods of time or snore excessively. Make sure you have enough light for the camera. Modern cameras will record well in low light, but you do need some.
There are several tools available to open up nasal passages that work to varying degrees. You should try several of these to see if any of them work well for you. The cheapest and easiest options are nasal strips, but neti pots are also becoming increasingly common for this type of problem.
Obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes be brought on by snoring. It is important that you take the time and find a treatment for your snoring symptoms in order to treat sleep apnea. There are snoring devices that can help relieve your snoring and consider that allergies may also contribute to snoring. Deal with your snoring problems if you have them and you may cure your sleep apnea.
Some sleep apnea patients find that aromatherapy help them a lot. Aromatherapy consists in smelling essential oils or flowers. Smells such as vervain are known to have a soothing effect: this smell could help you relax and go to sleep right away. You should talk to your doctor about aromatherapy and try it!
If you have think you might have sleep apnea or already suffer from snoring, try to use some over the counter nasal strips. These small strips attach to your nose with adhesive, lifting open your nasal passages. If your sleep apnea is related to a nasal obstruction, the strips may improve the quality of your sleep.
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.
You can readily see from this article that sleep apnea is common issue for many people. If you suffer from this condition, lack of education about this condition can be detrimental to your health. The more you learn, the better off you will be and the greater control you will have of your sleep apnea.
