Are you having a lack of restful sleep; or are issues with snoring keeping you awake? If you’ve tried other options, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. If you believe that you do, or even think you do, then put those worries to rest and learn some coping strategies.
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. Some people have a really hard time sleeping with the device. Nonetheless, it will not be effective unless you wear it for a minimum of 4 hours nightly. Ease your way towards your four hour CPAP goal, even if you find the experience difficult to get used to.
A reason that a lot of people have sleep apnea is due to the extra pounds on their bodies.
You should take the size and its loudness. Some machines can be quite small and quiet as a whisper. Your doctor should be able to guide you in the right direction of a capable machine.
Try to sleep on your side instead of your back to breathe easier when you sleep. Sleeping on the back can cause air passages to constrict. If you have trouble staying off your back, sew a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas to help you stay on your side. You may see a big difference in the quality of your sleep.
Talk to your doctor about getting a mouth piece you can wear at night. Sleep apnea can be magnified in effects by small jaws and recessed chins, recessed chin or a breathing passage that is too small. You can get better rest if you use specialty devices to position yourself and align your jaw properly while sleeping.
Lose some weight if you need to. Studies have found a correlation between sleep apnea and obesity can be related. If you slim down, even shedding 25 pounds can provide a drastic improvement in your symptoms.
Avoid relying on sleeping pills. Sleeping pills cause your throat muscles to relax, just like alcohol. Taking sleeping pills can have a negative impact on other health conditions that those with sleep apnea may experience. Consult your doctor to find a sleep aid that won’t impact your breathing.
Sleep Apnea
Playing music on a wind instruments can be beneficial to your sleep apnea problems. A German study has shown that playing gives you better motor control over your sleep apnea. These particular muscles control how stiff your airway walls get.
Try sleeping on your side. If you sleep on your back, this can make your sleep apnea worse. When you lay on your back during sleep, the tongue and soft palate shift to the back, which obstructs your airway. Sleeping on one’s side is a better option. If you tend to roll onto your back in your sleep, try propping yourself on one side with pillows.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine, use it a minimum of four hours nightly. It is hard for many patients to become accustomed to using the CPAP initially. If you have trouble adjusting to use it the full night, get at least four hours and try to add more time each night.
Do you now feel much more confident in dealing with your sleep apnea? Using this advice should help you get a good night’s sleep. Keep in mind it takes time to see real results with something like this. Stick with it and eventually things will improve.
If you’re admitted to the hospital, take your sleep apnea machine with you. While a hospital will have CPAP machines, you may be much more comfortable with a machine that already fits you well. The settings will be prepared and you won’t have to adjust the pressure. This lessens the stress of being away from home and enables you to continue the CPAP therapy while at the hospital.