If you think you aren’t getting the right amount of sleep every night then this might mean that you suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea cases are going up every day; it isn’t that uncommon of a disorder anymore. If you think that you have sleep apnea, keep on reading.
Sleep apnea can be a serious disorder. Be aware of the symptoms of sleep apnea and consult your doctor if you are concerned. Then, if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can talk with a specialist and even use a sleep monitor to understand the severity.
Sleeping pills are not the answer if sleep apnea is your problem. Sleep medicines often contain relaxants which only make your airway more likely to collapse. If your sleep apnea is bad, these can prove a real risk. No matter how bad you want a good night’s sleep, these are not the answer.
Cpap Machine
Don’t leave your CPAP machine behind if you’re a sleep apnea sufferer headed out on a trip. Once you have a CPAP machine, neglecting to use it for even one night can cause problems. Conveniently, your CPAP machine should have a bag included with it for easy travel. You can use this bag to allow you to transport your CPAP machine with ease when you’re not home.
If you are using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea, be sure to take it when you’re going to the hospital. It is critical to have your CPAP available to you, along with your mask at all times. Your own CPAP machine will be set to the pressure recommended by your sleep specialist, so you won’t have to get used to a new machine. This will make your stay a little more comfortable.
If you have tried everything to no avail, be sure to see your doctor about professional treatment. There are many treatment options available, some which do not work well with some everyone. But there are other methods of treatment, such as surgical techniques which include airway enlargement, as well as the removal of adenoids and tonsils
Stick with a single ordinary pillow when you go to sleep. Using more than one pillow, or one that is too large, can make you sleep in an odd position. As a result, you may find it more difficult to breathe normally. Because of this you should only use one pillow for easier sleeping.
Be sure to make use of nasal spray for a runny, stuffy, itchy nose. It helps to clear the nasal passages and airways to let you sleep more soundly. Remember that nasal sprays should only be used on a temporary basis to avoid nasal damage and irritation. Take a trip to the local pharmacy to see what they have available to help with keeping your nose open when you’re sleeping.
Sleep Apnea
Losing weight can definitely help reduce sleep apnea’s effects. Sometimes, sleep apnea is due to the excess weight around the neck area. Your breathing will be improved once you lose weight because the pressure will be reduced on the airway and your airflow will be increased.
Try not to sleep on your back if you are prone to sleep apnea. Most people with sleep apnea habitually sleep through the night on their backs. This causes the throat muscles to collapse, blocking the airway. Use pillows or specially designed cushions that will make sure you go through the entire night on your side only.
If you do tongue exercises you will allieviate sleep apnea symptoms. Try to press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Then, hold it there for about three minutes. This makes your tongue and throat muscles even stronger than before, so you minimize your odds of them blocking your air flow during sleep.
Go to sleep on your side because sleeping looking straight up can make sleep apnea worse. One method to prevent yourself from changing positions during sleep is to sew a spherical object like a tennis ball into your nightclothes. Doing this makes back sleeping uncomfortable.
There are a number of solutions available, many of them relatively simple. Choose a time to go to bed every night and stick to that schedule. As well, take out any distractions that your bedroom may hold like televisions and computers. Without the right conditions, you may induce insomnia.
Throat Muscles
Making the throat muscles strong can help to reduce sleep apnea. In an effort to strengthen throat muscles, many exercises can be done to help.
Sleep apnea is caused by inadequate oxygen during sleep. For this reason, it’s better for people with sleep apnea to stay out of areas of high elevation. The higher you are, the less oxygen there is which is bad. Avoid higher elevations at all costs.
Surgery might be necessary to remove excess tissue from your uvula, palate or pharynx to relieve your apnea. The UPPP procedure will reduce or eliminate the symptoms by increasing the space in the air passages. You should know that this involves removal of your tonsils as well.
Get fitted with a custom mouth guard that’s right for you! If your physician can treat any underlying condition, your sleep apnea will improve. Your jaw alignment is sometimes a contributing factor to sleep apnea.
Don’t take drugs, such as morphine, that contain opioids. These kinds of medicines lower oxygen levels even in people who do not have sleep apnea. In combination with sleep apnea, it can be fatal.
All things that can make a negative impact on your breathing while you’re sleep need to be tended to. If you have sleep apnea, eliminate any other problem that affects breathing as soon as possible. If you suffer from allergies, be sure to keep your symptoms under control by avoiding triggers and taking medication. Treat colds so they don’t affect your sleep apnea.
Once you learn you have sleep apnea, you should find treatment as soon as possible. Sleep is important to living a healthy and successful life. Use the advice you have read here to help yourself sleep better so that you can enjoy a higher quality of life.