Hearing your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea can scare even the most strong-willed of people. It is important to understand that sleep apnea is a common disorder and, and while serious, it can be treated effectively.
Make yourself wear your CPAP for four hours while you sleep, at the least. It can be extremely difficult for some patients to get used to sleeping with a CPAP. Keep in mind your CPAP device should be used at least four hours per night for it to help you. As you become more accustomed to the sleep mask, you should be able to wear it longer.
Excessive weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea.
Get a mouth guard to help you sleep apnea.These devices are designed to correct your airways and they help you breathe properly.
Sleeping on one of your sides when you have sleep apnea can help you sleep better. When sleeping on the back, throat and tongue muscles are more likely to block your airway. Give sleeping on your side a try, and see if your symptoms improve.
Sleep Apnea
Lose a few pounds if you need to. Studies show that sleep apnea and obesity can be related. If you slim down, even just losing twenty pounds can significantly improve sleep apnea symptoms.
A diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by analyzing your medical history as well as your family history, followed by a physical exam. Sleep studies may be included in the equation, and it may be necessary to involve a sleep specialist.
Try using a mouth guard. These oral devices are designed to help people who suffer with sleep apnea. It is a more comfortable option to using a CPAP machine.The mouth guard can help by keeping the airway open and providing stability for the soft tissues.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine, do try to sleep a minimum of four hours with it nightly. It is hard for some patients to get used to sleeping with a CPAP. If you still have trouble adjusting, try using the CPAP for about four hours while you sleep.
Assessing your sleep apnea potential might be hard if you there is not a partner in bed at night to give you feedback. One way to see for yourself is to train a camcorder on yourself as you sleep. Make sure that the microphone on your recording device picks up any snoring or other noises you make while sleeping, because your physician needs to hear them.
One way to see for yourself is to train a video camera on yourself. The video should also hear any noises that occur during your sleep.
This inconspicuous piece of fabric can work wonders to hold your chin that your breathing is not interrupted. Your mouth must remain closed for CPAP therapy to be effective.
Avoid sleeping pills when you suffer from sleep apnea. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Though they may help you sleep, you need the ability to wake should your airway colse too much.
Cpap Machine
If you are going to be hospitalized for any reason, don’t leave the CPAP machine behind. Your CPAP machine should be with you for both planned stays and trips to an emergency room. This will simplify your CPAP therapy during your hospital stay.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and require a CPAP machine, make sure you have a medical ID bracelet. If tragedy strikes, it will be important for help to know you require the assistance of a CPAP machine. This identification card should tell caregivers that you suffer from sleep apnea, and that you make use of a CPAP set to a specified pressure level to sleep.
Hearing that you have sleep apnea is not easy. However, it is a very treatable disorder. Use what you’ve learned here to better your life and effectively treat your apnea disorder. You can have a perfectly healthy life when properly treating your sleep apnea.