A significant percentage of the world’s population has sleep apnea. Unfortunately, many of the people do not even realize they are suffering from it because they mistake what they’re going through for something else. Educate yourself so that you can spot what you need to about sleep apnea from a mile away.
Quit smoking and drinking. Alcohol relaxes the tongue and throat muscles, which can cause them to block your airway; smoking inflames the airway, causing it to narrow. Both of these habits can cause snoring and apnea. If you avoid these things, it may help your sleep apnea.
If you are unsure whether or not you have sleep apnea, consider setting up an audio or video recorder next to your bed. When you review the recording, watch or listen for choking, gasping or other signs that you are not getting enough air as you sleep. Present your findings to your doctor if you suspect that you do have apnea.
Consider using a mouth guard when you sleep. If your jaw is improperly aligned, this could lead to issues with sleep apnea. The alignment of your jaw has a lot to do with whether or not you are getting sufficient airflow. Being fitted for a mouth guard can help your breathe while it’s correcting the problem.
There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, central, and complexes are all forms of sleep apnea. You need to go to the doctor and have a professional assess which type of sleep apnea you have, so they can offer the best treatment and advice for your specific condition.
If you have sleep apnea, try sleeping on your side. If you are a back or stomach sleeper, gravity is working against you all night. Your airway is much more likely to collapse if you are facing straight up or down. Sleeping on your side instead makes it much easier for your body to maintain your airway as you sleep.
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.
Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes is bad for you for many different reasons. Smoking can also cause sleep apnea. It isn’t just bad for your lungs; it can also cause your upper airway to swell. This can make it difficult for you to get the breath that you need at night.
Children can have sleep apnea. If you child seems to be distracted in class, cannot focus, and is breathing through his mouth, then he may have sleep apnea. Sometimes parents mistakenly think these symptoms have to do with something like ADHD, and it is best that you talk to your child’s doctor to find the true culprit.
If you use a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, sleep with it every night. When you take the mask off at night, your symptoms will return. Sometimes they might disappear for one or two nights, but then return. Wearing the mask every night prevents episodes of sleep apnea from occurring.
Getting a sufficient amount of sleep every night (about 7 to 8 hours) helps to decrease sleep apnea episodes. It has been proven that sleep apnea is less likely to occur when the body is well rested and relaxed. Try to have a specific sleep schedule and stick to it each night.
It’s a good idea to contact your airline if you’re planning a long plane trip and will need to make use of a CPAP machine during your flight. You’ll find that most airlines are quite accommodating to this kind of medical necessity; they’ll seat you in a place where you have all the room you need. If you happen to be flying overseas on a foreign airline, make sure you have the right power adapter.
If you take sedatives or sleeping pills and suffer from sleep apnea, discontinue these medications. Many of these medicines relax your muscles, including those in your airways. This leads to an increased likelihood of sleep apnea. If you are having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about other options that will not affect your breathing.
Make some drastic lifestyle changes if you must, in order to cure your sleep apnea. This means if you are smoking, drinking or taking sedatives, avoid doing so. If you don’t, this can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. If you are addicted to smoking or drinking, consider getting help before being able to relieve your sleep symptoms.
Remember that CPAP machines treat the symptoms and will not cure your sleep apnea. The CPAP mechanically forces your airway to stay open while you sleep by continuously passing air through your airways. Although it will help your apnea symptoms, you will have to make other changes in your life if you actually want to cure your sleep apnea.
Use a CPAP machine. You may not like the idea of sleeping in a machine, but many people who use a CPAP have found relief of their sleep apnea symptoms in a very short time. Such a machine may be uncomfortable at first, but if you stick with it, you will find a great deal of relief.
If you are skeptical about your sleep apnea or you are a partner of a person who doesn’t believe he or she has sleep apnea, set up a recorder in your room for one evening. Sometimes physical proof is needed for anyone to take the next step with sleep apnea. When you hear the actual sounds, you can then know how serious this condition really is.
If you believe you are the one suffering from sleep apnea, it’s time to do something about it. The information here will help you be well on your way to finding a solution that you may not even have realized that you desperately needed. Make a positive step to finding a solution soon!
