Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can have a dramatic, negative affect on a person’s life. If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is crucially important that you educate yourself on the best ways to deal with the disorder. The information contained within this article will educate you on several sleep apnea healthcare tips.
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.
Sleep on your side. A lot of people that suffer from sleep apnea lay down in bed at night on their backs. When you sleep, your throat muscles relax, and back sleeping causes gravity to pull the relaxed muscles downward, restricting airflow. Breathing is much simpler when you sleep on one of your sides. If your sleep tends to see you rolling onto your back, support yourself with pillows on one side or the other.
Avoid sleeping pills if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Sleeping pills relax throat muscles to the degree that they no longer properly function. Sleeping pills could cause injury or death if your sleep apnea is particularly severe. It can be difficult to stay asleep when you have sleep apnea, but you need to use other methods, such as a CPAP.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, make sure you treat your allergy and sinus problems. Sleep apnea causes enough difficulty breathing on its own. You don’t want to have anything else that hinders your breathing while you sleep. By treating your allergies or sinus problems, you will be more likely to get a full night’s rest and have energy for the day.
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 have tried all the self-help ideas and treatments and made changes in your lifestyle, and you still have not had success in helping your sleep apnea, you should consult with a sleep doctor. These doctors can evaluate your condition and work with you to find a treatment that is effective.
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.
Many people find that throat and tongue exercises are highly beneficial for sleep apnea treatment. Doing this can help to make the muscles which surround the airways much stronger, which in turn prevents them from collapsing into your airways. There are many exercises that are helpful, but one of them is to push your tongue very firmly up against the back of your front teeth. Then slide your tongue to the back of your mouth, and repeat this cycle for at least three minutes. You should practice this exercise once daily.
Clear your nasal passages before you go to sleep to avoid apnea. Open them up by using some saline spray, nasal dilator or a neti pot. Clearing the nasal passages will allow you to breathe easier while you are sleeping. Do not forget to use distilled water when you use a neti pot.
Sleep on your side as opposed to your back after you find out suffer from sleep apnea. Falling asleep right on your back will hurt you, because you won’t get a clear passage for your lungs to breath. Find another position that does not restrict your airways.
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.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, one of the simplest ways to improve your condition is to cut back on the amount of alcohol that you drink, especially before bedtime. Drinking alcohol causes throat muscles to relax and block off your throat, making it much more difficult to breathe.
Take any alcoholic beverages out of your diet. Any alcohol you consume can actually make your sleep disorder worse. This is also true for many different medications, like pain medications, narcotics and even anti-anxiety prescriptions. If you are suffering from sleep apnea and taking certain medications, talk with your doctor about potential side effects.
Play a wind instrument. Try the clarinet or saxiphone to help with sleep apnea. You master air control, breathing and throat exercises that assist in strengthening the muscles afflicted by sleep apnea. Once you have played these instruments, you will find that your muscles are better trained and strengthened which can bring relief from apnea.
Avoid sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your back allows gravity to compound your sleep apnea. If your airway is already prone to collapse, sleeping on your back will make it much more likely to occur. If you find yourself turning onto your back as you sleep, consider sewing a tennis ball to the back of your pajamas to discourage it.
As was discussed earlier, sleep apnea is a very serious and all too common medical disorder that afflicts many millions of people throughout the world. If you yourself suffer from the disorder, apply everything that you have learned from this article to your life and ensure that you are doing everything you can to protect your health.
