Sleep apnea is often undiagnosed and can have severe consequences. This condition is caused by a partial collapse of your airways, which hinders your breathing. Read this information to learn more about this worrisome and sometimes deadly condition.
Respiratory System
Overweight people are prone to suffering from sleep apnea. Should this be the reason, weight loss should be the rule of thumb. There should be a weight loss plan in place that restricts calories. Exercising should be a part of this plan as well. Reducing carbohydrate intake can be an effective way to take off the pounds, according to some recent studies.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the primary culprits. Drinking can overly relax your respiratory system and may cause breathing problems. Cigarettes inject carcinogens into your respiratory system. Letting these habits go can reduce your symptoms and make sleeping easier.
Mouth guards can be custom fit. Specially made mouth guards are particularly focused for individuals suffering from sleep apnea. This is a good alternative to using the CPAP machine. It will provide stability and help your airway to remain open.
If you’re using a CPAP, use it a minimum of four hours nightly. It is hard for many patients to become accustomed to using the CPAP. Four hours of use daily is recommended with a CPAP machine to see the medical benefits. Using it for the minimum of four hours a day will allow yourself to slowly transition to full time use.
It is important to use your CPAP machine if instructed to by your doctor. You should use it for the full night, but if you cannot, try to get at least 4 hours with the machine. Some find that it can be uncomfortable to use at first, but the point is to use it and ward off trouble. If this is the case with you, try a different mask. That is often the source of the discomfort. You’ll be comfortable using it on a regular basis in no time.
Refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages as much as possible, especially at bedtime. The natural effects of alcohol lead to over-relaxation of your muscles. You might like the feeling, but it can contribute to or cause sleep apnea. Your throat muscles are relaxed by alcohol, making it harder to breathe at night. If you absolutely must drink, then do it in moderation and certainly not right when you’re about to go to sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea also affects children. If your child exhibits any of the symptoms associated with sleep deprivation, such as chronic irritability, hostility and a drop in their grades, you might be looking at a case of sleep apnea. Since these symptoms mimic ADHD, it’s important to have your child seen by a physician.
Use nasal spray if you have a nose issue. This type of product can ease occasional congestion or dryness. Avoid using nasal sprays over a long period of time; your mucus membranes could become damaged and irritated. Visit a pharmacy to find a variety of ways of keeping your nose clear as you sleep.
Going to bed on your side can be something you can do to help you get better rest if you have sleep apnea. The chances of your airways being restricted are more likely when you sleep on your back. Make a point of falling to sleep on your side and see if that doesn’t alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms tonight.
Sleep while on your side. A lot of people who suffer from sleep apnea are back sleepers. When you sleep on your back, tissue can block your throat and airways. Breathing is a lot easier for your body to do when you are on your side. Support yourself with pillows so that you won’t end up on your back at night.
Sleep Apnea
Strengthening the muscles of your throat can be an effective way to reduce the risk of sleep apnea. Difficulty in breathing causes sleep apnea, which is a result of your soft tissue collapsing in your throat. The stronger your muscles are the less chance they will block your airways.
Make sure you have something with you at all times that explains that you suffer from sleep apnea and you use a CPAP. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. Your ID needs to mention your sleep apnea, your CPAP use and your CPAP pressure settings.
Don’t forget to bring your CPAP along when you need to stay in the hospital. If the hospitalization was planned or for an emergency, you should still be sure that your CPAP and your mask are brought with you to be used while you’re there. It is already set to your pressure, and you will have the exact mask you are used to using every night. Your whole hospitalization process will go much smoother because of this.
Losing weight will often make a big difference for patients suffering from sleep apnea. If your sleep condition is caused by obesity, weight loss may solve your problem completely. A person with sleep apnea can breathe a lot easier without all that extra weight on them.
Learn to play a wind instrument. It is a great hobby, and it will help you exercise weak muscles to help you breathe at night. Exercising these muscles will make them stronger, thus, making them less likely to collapse while you sleep, which will improve airflow to your lungs.
The facts that you’ve been presented with here should help you better understand what this condition is and how it may affect your life. Just keep in mind that the best way to get a definitive sleep apnea diagnosis and set out an effective course of treatment is to speak with a medical professional.