Did your morning start with feelings of exhaustion and sluggishness despite having spent the appropriate number of hours in bed? Do you find your partner complaining about the amount your snore every night? Have you woken up because you were snoring so loudly? It may be that you are suffering from sleep apnea, but you need not worry. You can find useful suggestions for dealing with the condition presented below.
To help with your sleep apnea, you need to consult with your doctor about the best CPAP machine to use. The noise level of a CPAP machine and its overall size are both points to take into consideration. A machine to get you through the night is better than feeling fatigued every day. Your doctor will likely have a preferred brand or type of CPAP to recommend to you.
There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, central, and complexes are all forms of sleep apnea. You need to go to the doctor and have a professional assess which type of sleep apnea you have, so they can offer the best treatment and advice for your specific condition.
Some people give up using the CPAP machine they have been prescribed and this is not a good move. Use it for at least four hours each night, until you become used to it in full. Sleeping while using a CPAP can be difficult to adjust to at first, but it is not impossible. Use your CPAP as often as prescribed by your doctor, and make sure it fits properly. Try two hours at first if you must. The next week you should increase that amount to 4 hours. In the end, you should never use it less than 4 hours per night on a permanent basis.
Do not drink alcohol often. Your muscles will over-relax when you use alcohol, especially before bed. You might want this consequence of consuming alcohol, but it also instigates sleep apnea. Your throat muscles may be affected, causing breathing difficulties. If you do drink alcohol, avoid drinking it 3 hours before bedtime.
Sleep apnea sufferers should always invest in a heated humidifier equipped with a bacterial filtering mechanism for use in the room where they sleep. By utilizing this type of machine, it is possible to guard against the fragile membranes that line the lungs and nasal passages, preventing exacerbation of existing symptoms.
Try to sleep on your side at night. By sleeping on your back, you’ll notice that your throat and nasal passages may become obstructed. Try to fall asleep in a side position, and discover if that relieves your sleep apnea tonight.
For the sleep apnea patient using CPAP treatment, the wide range of options in machines and masks can seem overwhelming. The key to selecting the best equipment for your needs is to test out the various models yourself. Your Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider should have a variety of masks and accessories available for you to try out. Don’t settle for the “standard” company mask. Insist on viewing several and being fitted properly. Comfort and good fit are key to successfully adjusting to CPAP treatment.
Tongue exercises are useful in reducing sleep apnea. Try to press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Then, hold it there for about three minutes. You will have less chance of your throat muscles relaxing and blocking your airway if you strengthen the muscles of your tongue and throat.
The major signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, choking or gasping while sleeping, significant lapses in breathing, and daytime tiredness. Other common symptoms are morning headaches, restless sleep, irritability, waking with a sore throat or dry mouth and even having more frequent runs to the bathroom at night. If you exhibit these, then you should see your doctor promptly.
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.
If you consume alcohol or smoke, this could be the underlying cause of your sleep apnea symptoms. Meanwhile, smoking causes the swelling of the airways; alcohol does the complete opposite and relaxes them too much. If you want to be able to sleep well each night, limit or quit smoking and/or drinking.
Getting fitted for a mouth guard may help reduce your sleep apnea if you have an overbite, a small size jaw or a recessed chin. The position of your jawbone can actually block your airways when you have these problems. Using a mouth guard will help correct this issue, and can reduce the symptoms that you are struggling with.
Keeping up to date on new trends in the medical community can be very advantageous to sleep apnea patients. The American Sleep Apnea Association has a patient website that offers a wealth of information on issues related to the disorder, online support group forums and effective treatment options. You can find the website at http://www.sleepapnea.org.
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.
With the knowledge you’ve gained here, you are better prepared to combat your apnea. This is a very important step, as many people don’t even take the time to do this part. You should be better-informed on how to get a better night’s sleep.
