Some people think they need to live their lack of sleep for extended periods of time is a normal occurrence.Nothing is further than the truth. Sleep apnea is more common than you think and do research about.
You have to get rid of a few vices to get through sleep apnea. Drinking and smoking are a couple of the biggest concerns. Alcohol can put you into a very deep sleep and depress your respiration. Smoking damages the lungs. If you can give up these bad habits, you’ll see a significant reduction in your sleep apnea symptoms.
Do you regularly smoke and drink? Your airways are affected by smoking and drinking. If losing these habits is not possible, just do not do it before laying down to sleep.
Lose weight if you’re heavy.Obesity is linked with sleep apnea according to certain studies. If you slim down, even just losing twenty pounds can significantly improve sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep with your body perpendicular to the bed. Often, sleep apnea sufferers rest while on their backs. When you lay on your back during sleep, the tongue and soft palate shift to the back, which obstructs your airway. It is best to sleep on your side when you can. If your sleep tends to see you rolling onto your back, support yourself with pillows on one side or the other.
Mouth Guard
Try getting fitted for a mouth guard to help you sleep. These oral devices are designed for patients with sleep apnea. It provides a more comfortable alternative to using a CPAP machine. The mouth guard assists in opening up your airway unobstructed.
If you’re admitted to the hospital, take your sleep apnea machine with you. If your stay is planned or an emergency, you will need your CPAP device either way. It is already set to your pressure, and you will have the exact mask you are used to using every night. Having your own familiar equipment eases the strangeness of being in the hospital, and helps you sleep more restfully.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine, make an honest effort to use it at least four hours a night. It is hard for many patients to get used to sleeping with a CPAP. If you still have trouble adjusting, then ensure you are using it at least four hours a night.
Try out other options besides pills to help you sleep. Sleeping pills can make you snore more by relaxing the muscles in the throat. They may also make other problems associated with sleep apnea worse. Consult with your physician on sleep aid that won’t hinder your breathing.
One sure-fire way to combat the problems posed by sleep apnea is proper weight management. Many people have corrected their apnea by losing weight. Simply losing a small amount of weight can open your airways, improving your sleep apnea symptoms.
If you are going to be hospitalized for any reason, make sure your CPAP is with you. Your CPAP machine should be with you for both planned stays and trips to an emergency room.This will make continuing your CPAP therapy during your hospital stay.
If nothing you are trying is improving your sleep apnea symptoms, consult your physician for more serious options. Some people don’t have any luck with conventional treatments, and resort to a surgical treatment that entails the removal of the adenoids and tonsils, or the enlargement of the airway.
Sleep apnea can be a problem for your throat and not your nose, so if you work on strengthening throat muscles then it is a good idea for fixing your apnea. There are a host of quick, simple exercises that can have a beneficial effect; you should be able to learn and master them very rapidly.
You should now be more aware of the dangers of sleep apnea and will be better equipped to watch for its symptoms. You have a right to a good night’s sleep every night and to get diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea; no one should try to discourage you from doing that.