Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? You no doubt have a lot of questions and concerns relating to your condition. There are lots of helpful tips you can use to make your adjustment much easier. This article will give you some steps to take to help you deal with you sleep disorder.
If you are dealing with sleep apnea and you’re a smoker and drinker, you should quit now to help improve the symptoms of this condition. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. Instead of costly surgery or some other medical procedure, losing these bad habits is the best way to save yourself money and address this condition.
Try your best to lay off tobacco and nicotine products. Cigarette smoke can irritate your upper airway causing it to swell up, subsequently hindering your ability to breath during the night. Quitting smoking could therefore, significantly improve your sleep apnea symptoms and will also improve your body’s overall health and your feelings of well-being.
To help alleviate this condition, you should sleep on your side. Some sleep apnea patients lay on their backs. Sleeping one one’s back can cause constriction of the throat muscles. You will breathe easier if you sleep on your side. Prop pillows on one side to prevent you from rolling on your back while sleeping.
Sleep apnea is generally determined by looking at your family and medical history, along with a physical exam. In addition, a sleep study may be required. Some doctors may send you to a doctor that specializes in sleep disorders. This is a specialist that concentrates on treating people who are having trouble sleeping.
If you have to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, you may find it hard to get used to at first. It is important that you do not quit using the machine, though. Focus on the benefits of the machine rather than the inconvenience. It will make life safer for yourself and others. Daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnea is a major risk factor for car accidents, for instance.
Do not take pain medications such as morphine. This medication can lower your oxygen level and make your symptoms even worst. If you take a high dose of morphine, your life could be in danger. If you go to the hospital and are given a pain medication, let the doctors know you have sleep apnea.
Sleeping at a high altitude can worsen your sleep apnea because of the lower levels of oxygen. If you are going to a place located higher than what you are used to, take a CPAP machine with you. The best thing to do would be to completely avoid high altitude.
Sleeping face-up is something to avoid if you’re having sleep apnea issues. If you sleep on your back, your air passages may become blocked. If you are the type of person who rolls over while sleeping, use pillows in order to maintain a side sleeping position.
One great way to track your sleep progress, especially if you sleep alone, is by recording yourself in the night. The next day you can watch for signs of apnea and see if there are specific times or triggers that cause the apnea. This is a great resource for your medical professional as well.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, do not be shy about telling your friends and family. Sleep apnea is an extremely common condition. It is very possible that someone you know and love has it too and has not been diagnosed yet. By sharing your experience, you could help someone else realize they have a problem and encourage them to seek treatment.
The manner in which you sleep can have a hand in your sleep apnea. This is why it’s essential to sleep in a good position. You can keep yourself propped up with a large foam wedge. If you have an adjustable bed, raise the head by several inches for the best position.
Learning to play a wind instrument can be an effective control strategy for those who snore or have sleep apnea symptoms. A study shows this can greatly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. This will help your airways.
Prior to going to bed, it is important to open up your nasal passages. This is so that you get enough air flow. To open up the nasal passages, you may want to use saline spray, a nasal dilator, a neti pot, breathing strips or whatever your doctor may have recommended.
Make sure to do some throat exercises every day to reduce any symptoms of sleep apnea. Try making silly faces and sticking out your tongue. It might seem funny, though according to some new studies, exercising your tongue and jaw on a daily basis can reduce the symptoms that you are experiencing.
All sleep apnea patients can benefit from information found through the AWAKE Foundation. AWAKE sponsors support groups across the country that are dedicated to educating and informing the public on issues and treatment options related to sleep apnea. These meetings frequently showcase new equipment and mask options for CPAP patients, as well as updates on new trends in treatment. With chapters in most regional areas, AWAKE serves as a very effective support service for patients and their families to get sound and reliable information to improve their health.
Try to find ways to really tire yourself out before going to bed. This means expending both your mental and physical energy before putting your head on the pillow. Going for a long walk is a great way to calm yourself down and clear your mind while also getting exercise.
Finding out you have sleep apnea can be a shock, but you can quickly learn to deal with your condition. You are not alone, and you can learn from others who have come before you. The tried and true tips shared in this article can get you on your way to a good night’s sleep.
