Sleep apnea isn’t just inconvenient; it is potentially fatal. You must educate yourself concerning the root causes so that you can find relief. Check out the article below for some solid tips on doing this.
Sleep Apnea
Overweight people are more prone to suffering from sleep apnea. If this is the case, a sleep apnea sufferer should try to lose weight. Anyone in this situation should stick to a sensible diet, in combination with a good amount of exercise. Some studies suggest that limiting carbohydrate intake can lead to weight loss, as well.
Learning how to play a wind instrument is something which can help ease the symptoms of your sleep apnea. There have been studies that show playing the didgeridoo, a wind instrument, helps relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea. Upper airway muscles manage dilation and stiffening of airway walls. This is why playing this instrument regularly will help strengthen these muscles, and reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
Avoid alcohol before bed as much as possible. Alcohol has a relaxing effect on all your muscles. While this may be something you desire, it tends to create the problem of sleep apnea. Your throat muscles are relaxed by alcohol, making it harder to breathe at night. If you feel you must drink, try not to do it as often or before you go to sleep.
Sleeping Pills
Don’t take sleeping pills if you can avoid it. Sleeping pills are similar to alcohol in that they cause the muscles in your throat to be less tense. Pills also can affect sleep apnea sufferers in several different ways. Stress relief through meditation or exercise can also help you fall asleep safely.
If you are not sleeping with a partner, then it’s almost impossible to determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea on your own. Setting up a camera to record your sleeping habits might be the answer. You need to include audio in your video because the doctor needs to hear the noises you make.
If you are dealing with sleep apnea, you never want to take any sleeping pills. The muscles in your airway may become too relaxed. These can cause more harm than good, even if you just want to get to bed sooner.
To get a diagnosis for sleep apnea, your doctor may have you write a sleep log. Keep track of how many hours you’re sleeping the entire night and any symptoms you have. Ask your partner to note anything unusual noticed during the night while you were sleeping. Your doctor can use this information to determine whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea.
Chin Strap
If when using a CPAP machine your mouth still falls open, use a chin strap. The chin strap is a fabric strap that supports your chin to keep your mouth shut. If you have your mouth open CPAP therapy isn’t going to work, so give this device a try to find out if it works.
Do not sleep on your back if sleep apnea affects you. Sleep apnea strikes back sleepers the most. Use whatever means you can to keep from rolling on your back. Pillows can help and some people even sew a tennis ball into the back of their night clothes.
You can help lessen the effects of sleep apnea by doing exercises which strengthen the throat muscles. Sleep apnea is often caused by the tissues in the throat, which can relax and collapse while you sleep. When your muscles get stronger, chances becomes less that they will collapse and cause a blockage in the airways.
Sometimes you might just need to do a few simple things to help with your sleep apnea. Choose a time to go to bed every night and stick to that schedule. Also make sure that you have bedroom atmosphere that is ideal for you to sleep in. If you’re not comfortable, you may experience insomnia.
If you are one of the many who suffers from sleep apnea, avoid sleeping on your back. Many sleeping difficulties, like airway blockages, are caused or exacerbated by lying on your back when you sleep. You could try sleeping on your side or in a semi-reclining position propped up with pillows.
It’s imperative that you take responsibility to get treatment if you have sleep apnea. If you don’t get help for this condition, the symptoms most likely will end up getting much worse over time. When you wait and go without treatment, you cause harm to your overall health. It will not go away on its own, so seek help from a doctor.
Exhaustion can worsen the symptoms of sleep apnea. Set up a sleep schedule to address this issue. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. You can avoid further complications, such as insomnia, this way.
Drink Alcohol
Those with sleep apnea shouldn’t drink alcohol before bed. When you drink alcohol, your throat muscles become very relaxed. This can cause airway blockage. You do not have to stop drinking, just do not do it before you go to sleep.
The frustration and sleeplessness caused by sleep apnea is commonly known. It robs people of their energy to get through life each day, it causes negative changes in behavior and many more things. It can cause suffering to the person who have it as well as others who spend time with those who have it. Use what you’ve learned here to come up with a treatment plan that will get rid of your sleep apnea for good.