This article will be of great use to anyone who is affected by sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be detrimental but is manageable when handled correctly. Thoroughly look over the tips provided below, and apply them so that you can manage your sleep apnea condition.
Using a mouth guard specifically made for sleep apnea sufferers may help you sleep better. This will help you breathe better at night. If you think a mouth guard might help you out, consult a physician and ask her to fit you with one.
Try getting rid of bad habits to better your sleep apnea. Two of the biggest problems are drinking and smoking. Your respiratory system will not be happy with you if you drink all the time. Smoking can cause swelling in the throat, which also restricts the airway during sleep. Drop as many bad habits as you can as early as possible.
Talk to your doctor about getting a fitted sleep mouth guard. It may be that your airways are narrower than average, and this is fine. By aligning the position of your jaw and throat, you will find that you can sleep with fewer symptoms of sleep apnea.
Try to sleep on your sides to keep sleep apnea from ruining your sleep. The chances of your airways being restricted are more likely when you sleep on your back. Try to fall asleep on your side instead and use a pillow if needed. It may relieve some symptoms.
Chin Strap
Avoid drinking much alcohol. Alcohol relaxes your muscles in a way that harms your breathing. That may be something people like when they drink, but it also can cause sleep apnea. Like the rest of your muscles, those around your throat and airway relax under the influence of alcohol, making it harder for you to maintain a proper air passage. If you feel like you have to drink, try to not do it prior to going to bed.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and have a problem with your mouth opening while sleeping with your CPAP, a chin strap may be able to help. The chin strap will help hold you chin up during the time you are sleep which keeps your mouth closed. It is worth trying this simple fix, because CPAP therapy is ineffective if your mouth falls open while wearing the mask.
If you have tried everything to no avail, be sure to see your doctor about professional treatment. A lot of people do not do well on some of the treatments, requiring complicated surgeries to enhance their airway.
Losing weight is a simple and proven effective method of decreasing your chances of suffering from sleep apnea. It’s possible to get rid of this condition just by losing weight. Even losing a little weight can improve sleep apnea by opening the throat and airway, because there is less pressure on the neck.
Sleep in a prone position. A lot of people that suffer from sleep apnea lay down in bed at night on their backs. When you sleep on your back, you are warping the shape of your airways. Sleeping on your side makes breathing significantly easier. If you usually sleep on your back, make a conscious effort to change your ways.
Find ways to decrease the risk factors of our sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can run in the family, and that is one factor that can’t be changed. If you lose weight or quit smoking it may help you deal with sleep apnea.
Try not to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. A lot of people suffering from apnea have problems with blocked airways because they sleep not on their side, but on their backs. Try using a pillow or some cushions to keep yourself propped on your side when you are in bed.
Sleep Apnea
Use only one, regular-sized pillow to sleep at night. If you use very thick pillows or many pillows, you may end up sleeping at an odd angle that hurts the free flow of air through your airways. You’ll be resting in such a way that makes breathing difficult. So find a normal size pillow that is comfortable and doesn’t contort your airway because this will help you sleep better and breathe easier.
If you are experiencing sleep apnea, stop smoking. Smoking cause the airways to swell, making sleep apnea worse. Try to find a program to help you quit smoking. The first month is often the hardest for most smokers. Over time, you’ll find you need and/or want nicotine less.
Spending time exercising your throat muscles may significantly increase the complications of sleep apnea. The reduced airflow characteristic of sleep apnea is due to soft tissue in the throat relaxing. Stronger muscles are not as likely to collapse.
If you’re using a CPAP machine, see if you doctor can also prescribe a humidifier with heat. Moist, warm air can be an effective way to make sure that you use your CPAP machine by making it more comfortable. Many CPAP manufacturers are providing machines with integrated humidifiers, so check with your doctor to see if that is a good option for you.
People with sleep apnea often get good results by losing weight. Sleep apnea is far more frequent in obese individuals with bigger necks. Getting thinner will lower the amount of pressure on your trachea, which means more air will get to your lungs while you sleep.
Please do not waste time believing that a CPAP maching is something to be ashamed of. Be open about it and explain to others that it is necessary for you to sleep better. Stress that it is necessary for your health. Using this machine is for your own good, and anyone who pokes fun at you for needing it should probably not be your friend.
Sleep Apnea
Remember that you may not always notice sleep apnea in the evening. But if you do feel tired and irritated throughout the day, then this may be a sign that you do have sleep apnea. This could be a problem of sleep apnea, even when you have no idea that you’re getting up at night gasping for air.
If you have sleep apnea, you shouldn’t smoke. Smoking causes your throat to swell and that will make your condition even more difficult to deal with. Try going cold turkey. After 30 days of dedication, you should almost be cured from being addicted to smoking. Past this point, your system is free of nicotine and the physical demands for the drug will drop off.
Do not ignore your sleep apnea symptoms. Seek treatment. If you do not go to a doctor and find a treatment, your symptoms will probably worsen over the years. Don’t wait until you are getting absolutely no sleep every night. See your physician if you have even the slightest suspicion that you have sleep apnea.
Some corrective oral devices can aid in the treatment of sleep apnea. Sometimes the way a person’s face is shaped may be causing their air passage to be smaller. Using a corrective device can alter the alignment of the jaw while you’re sleeping, letting more air flow through.
In conclusion, untreated sleep apnea can cause many problems to your health. If you have sleep apnea, you must learn about it. If you keep reading and using these hints you will see that you will feel better.
If you’re suffering from sleep apnea and have a CPAP machine that you use, see if your doctor can give you a heated humidifier as well. Using a CPAP can initially be hard to get used to, but the moist, comfortable air from a humidifier will make the therapy more soothing. Many CPAP machines come with built-in humidifiers now, so see if your doctor can prescribe one of those for you.
