Sleep apnea is a big deal. Many people blow off talk of sleep apnea without realizing that it is a disorder that is potentially dangerous for anyone. Read this article so that you can learn what you need to know that will help you and everyone you know about sleep apnea.
Being overweight can be a cause of sleep apnea. If this happens to be the problem then anyone dealing with sleep apnea should immediately shed this weight. Look for a sensible plan that includes both caloric restriction as well as exercise. According to recent scientific work, many people looking to lose weight can also benefit from reducing their intake of carbohydrates.
It may sound silly, but taking up a music instrument may improve your sleep apnea. When subjects in Germany were taught to play the didgeridoo, their sleep apnea symptoms were reduced. The researchers believe that practicing the instrument improved the tone of the muscles in the upper airway, which are responsible for airway dilation.
Get a CPAP mask that fits your face perfectly. If the mask that comes with your CPAP machine is too narrow or too loose, you will probably experience discomfort when you sleep and the machine might not work properly. Get a customized mask if you need to: the expense will be worth it.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, work hard to get in the habit of using it every time you sleep. While it can be a struggle to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face, your health and your life depend on it. Work with your sleep center to get everything adjusted just right so that you can use CPAP therapy with a minimal amount of discomfort.
Consider sleeping sitting up if you have sleep apnea, and you do not have a CPAP available. Perhaps you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but you have not had your CPAP prescribed yet. Maybe the power went out, and your CPAP will not work without electricity. Whenever you have to sleep without the benefit of CPAP therapy, sleeping sitting up will help to keep your airway from collapsing.
You can both shed unwanted pounds and reduce the effects of sleep apnea with a nutritious and healthy diet. Not everyone equates bad and good food with sleep apnea, but many people have found out that it does play a role. People who don’t eat healthy food have the worst sleep apnea conditions.
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.
Exercise your neck and throat. Sleep apnea is caused by your throat becoming obstructed as you sleep. By strengthening the muscles in your neck, throat, and jaw, you can help your muscles withstand the pressure. Spend a few minutes every day performing exercises designed for the jaw and neck area.
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.
Anyone with sleep apnea needs treatment, as it won’t disappear by itself. A variety of underlying medical conditions can contribute to sleep apnea. Losing weight will help minimize symptoms in many patients, but sleep apnea can occur in very thin individuals as well as those who are overweight. Non-invasive options like the CPAP machine are highly successful for millions of sufferers. However, other people prefer having surgery where they can make changes in overcoming restrictions in the airway passages. Working with your doctor to identify the best approach for your apnea issues will increase your opportunity to live a healthy and well-rested life.
Some people find that learning to play the wind instrument they’ve always been interested in is an effective treatment for their sleep apnea. This is good for your soul, and playing a wood instrument will reduce sleep apnea issues. You will be able to better control the air passages.
Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. Many sleeping difficulties, like airway blockages, are caused or exacerbated by lying on your back when you sleep. Try side sleeping. If it does not seem natural to you, prop yourself using pillows.
If your nasal airways are too narrow, try using nasal strips. These can be bought in any pharmacy and will not damage your airways like sprays do. Choose a quality product and apply the strips right before you go to bed. Breathing should be a little easier with these strips.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is important that you maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight significantly worsens sleep apnea and losing just a few excess pounds can go a long way towards dramatically improving your ability to breathe properly while you sleep. Following a healthy diet and exercise plan is one of the best ways to deal with sleep apnea.
Try remembering the first time you were prescribed glasses if you have sleep apnea and are having a hard time adjusting to CPAP therapy. Remember how heavy they felt and how they rubbed the skin on your nose raw? It seemed like everywhere you looked, you saw those huge frames sticking out at the sides of your vision. However, over time you got used to them, and now you hardly even notice them. The same will be true of using a CPAP if you make the effort to stick with it.
Knowing what sleep apnea is helps to arm you with power. You should now be well equipped to talk about it with more authority thanks to the information given here. If you think someone you know has sleep apnea, speak up. You can be the one that keeps others happy, healthy and alive for many more years.
