Sleep apnea is a condition that often goes undiagnosed and can have severe consequences. This disorder is caused by partial collapse of the airways, and this hinders a person’s ability to breathe properly. Keep reading for more information about this scary and possibly deadly condition.
A common reason that people have sleep apnea is due to the extra pounds on their bodies. If you suffer from sleep apnea and are overweight, try losing a few pounds. There should be a weight loss plan in place that restricts calories. Exercising should be a part of this plan as well. Cutting out white carbs such as white rice, pasta and sugar is one step that many people use to lose weight.
Do you regularly smoke or drink alcohol? These substances restrict your airways. If you cannot get rid of these habits for good, then try not to smoke or drink immediately before bedtime.
Playing music on a wind instrument can help get rid of your sleep apnea problems. Researchers in Germany found that practicing with the didgeriddo can improve upper airway muscles. These muscles are responsible for the strength of your airway.
If you are fat, become thinner. The link between sleep apnea and obesity in its sufferers has been well-proven. You may cure sleep apnea by just shedding twenty pounds.
Mouth Guard
Get a personally made mouth guard. Guards such as these are specifically made for someone who suffers with sleep apnea patients. It provides a more comfortable alternative to using a CPAP machine. The mouth guard assists in opening up your airway unobstructed.
Limit your alcohol consumption. When drinking alcoholic beverages, it will relax your muscles. While this is often considered a desirable effect, it can lead to sleep apnea. Your throat muscles become relaxed and cause your airways to become blocked. If you absolutely have to have a drink, don’t do as much as you used to. And avoid having one close to bedtime.
It is not uncommon for children to be sleep apnea. If your child is inattentive, hostility, irritability, hyperactivity, inattention or mouth breathing, you should consider sleep apnea as a possibility to investigate. These symptoms can be similar to those of ADHD, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis because treatments for these two disorders are quite different.
Sleep apnea has the potential for being a very serious. If you suspect that you or a loved one has it, don’t delay the conversation with your doctor.
To help diagnose your sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to keep a sleep log. Keep track of how long you are able to sleep at night, as well as anything else related to your sleeping process. The person you sleep next to can alert you to your snoring, if you stop breathing or you move your limbs suddenly. That helps the physician determine whether your symptoms are, in fact, sleep apnea.
Many people with sleep apnea also sleep while on their backs. Sleeping on your back can cause the throat to block your airway. Sleeping on one’s side makes breathing significantly easier.If you roll on your back when you sleep, try propping yourself on one side with pillows.
Sleeping Pills
Use nasal spray if you have a nose issue. Using nasal spray a couple of nights in a row should help you sleep. Don’t overuse nasal spray though, it can cause your nose damage and irritate it. You should go to your pharmacy and explore different options to keep your nose open while you sleep.
Sleeping pills are not the answer if sleep apnea.Sleeping pills can interfere with your throat muscles to the degree that they no longer properly function. These pills can become very dangerous if you have a bad case of sleep apnea; even though you might be tempted to use them to stay asleep, especially when tempted to try and get a good night’s sleep.
Now that you’ve read the above article, you probably understand how sleep apnea affects a person’s life. If you or someone you know may have sleep apnea, it is vital that you consult with your doctor about it.
A CPAP machine can assist you in sleeping if you do have sleep apnea. Moist, warm air will help you get a better night’s sleep and make it easier to keep up with the CPAP therapy. There are many different CPAP machines that are equipped with built-in humidifiers, so check with your doctor to see if one can be prescribed.