How You Can Better Manage Your Sleep Apnea
You are likely curious to learn how to cope with sleep apnea if you or someone you love is affected by it. There are a variety of options for those with sleep apnea. Keep reading on to find out some great information.
You must be careful not to use sedating medications if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Anything that sedates you will slow down your breathing, especially when you go to sleep. When you are sedated by medication, your throat muscles will relax and collapse more quickly as you sleep.
Losing weight through a good diet can fight sleep apnea.ZOP 7.5 MG Not everyone equates bad and good food with sleep apnea, but many people have found out that it does play a role. It has been shown in studies that those who eat unhealthier foods face more severe sleep apnea than their overweight, yet healthy-eating, counterparts.
If you are over weight, going on a diet can reduce your sleep apnea, or in rare cases, eliminate it completely. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you breathe easier, so losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight when you have trouble breathing is an obvious step in treating your sleep apnea.
Try yourself to sleep on your side.
If you fall asleep on your back, gravity can make it easier for your tongue and/or tonsils to fall back into your throat and obstruct your windpipe, causing apnea episodes. While it may be hard a first, as time passes, however, it will start to become second nature to sleep on your side.
If you have tried a number of less drastic sleep apnea treatment options, you might want to consider discussing surgical treatment options for the condition with your primary care physician. Sleep apnea treatment surgery often involves increasing the diameter of your airway in an effort to reduce the number of apnea episodes that you experience.
Do you always sleep on your back? Try sleeping on your side instead. When you sleep on your back with a head propped on a pillow, your airways get narrower. Go to sleep on your side and use cushions to prevent yourself from rolling in your sleep. Your airways should remain open as long as you are on your side.
Take your CPAP along whenever you are embarking on an overnight trip. The effectiveness of the CPAP depends on nightly use, and if you have sleep apnea, it is essential to not miss even one night. You should have a travel bag for your machine. This can be used to transport the CPAP machine simply when not at home.
You will find it easier to go to sleep and remain asleep if you follow a schedule.
Go to bed at the same time, follow a bedtime routine if it helps you relax and get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Create the ideal environment for you to sleep in.
Quit smoking if you suffer from sleep apnea. It can cause your upper airways to start swelling, which can make your sleep apnea worse. To quit, try using nicotine replacement treatment or a cessation program. The first month is often the hardest for most smokers. The nicotine will be out of your system at this point.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, do not be shy about telling your friends and family. Sleep apnea is an extremely common condition. It is very possible that someone you know and love has it too and has not been diagnosed yet. Zopisign 10 mg By sharing your experience, you could help someone else realize they have a problem and encourage them to seek treatment.
The manner in which you sleep can have a hand in your sleep apnea. Having a proper sleep position is necessary. Put a foam wedge under yourself to lift up your body. Or, if your bed is adjustable, raise it about four inches at one end.
If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, learn to play an instrument.
Not only will it be soothing for you, but in a trial study in Germany, it showed that a wind instrument can relax the symptoms of sleep apnea. This hobby will keep your airways under your control.
Getting fitted for a mouth guard may help reduce your sleep apnea if you have an overbite, a small size jaw or a recessed chin. The position of your jawbone can actually block your airways when you have these problems. Using a mouth guard will help correct this issue, and can reduce the symptoms that you are struggling with.
If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about undergoing a sleep study. During the course of the study, you will be hooked to monitors while you sleep. These monitors will tell doctors about the levels of oxygen in your blood, the states of sleep you enter, and whether or not your breathing is inhibited while you sleep.
Some people may experience sleepiness brought on by sleep apnea. Make sure that if you are one of the many who experience this, don't operate any vehicles or heavy machinery. Modaltert 200mg Do the responsible thing and get the right treatment. Don't operate any vehicles or machinery without treatment, as you can be a hazard to yourself and others.
Make sure you set the stage right for good sleep.
Avoid going to sleep too late, or going to sleep in a loud or noisy environment. When you create a relaxing atmosphere, you are better able to fall into sleep naturally and comfortably, which decreases the chances of any problem.
Invite your significant other to come with you to your next doctor's appointment. Not only will this educate your partner on sleep apnea, he or she can also inform your doctor about your condition through reporting on first hand experiences. Your partner can, better than you, describe the patterns that are occurring while you are sleeping.
The more you know, the better. Knowing your options will empower you and get you well on your way. There is an abundance of things to learn about sleep apnea and this article is a good starting point.