Sleep mouth guards can benefit you if you suffer from sleep apnea. Narrow airways can be opened, jaws can be properly aligned and nasal passages can be opened up to allow more air into the lungs. Ask your doctor about sleep mouth guards, and get fitted for one if you believe this could be the right solution for you.
Sleep apnea is something that not many sufferers realize they have, mainly because it can vary in how much it affects each individual. You get sleep apnea when your airways begin to collapse while you sleep, which interrupts yourself from breathing through the night. Read this article to learn more about this scary condition.
Try your best to use your CPAP machine as much as possible if you get one. Although it can be difficult to become accustomed to wearing a CPAP, it is an important tool in improving sleep apnea. However, in order to be effective, the CPAP has to be used for four hour every night. If you still have trouble adjusting, get at least four hours and try to add more time each night.
Do you occasionally drink or smoke? Stop these bad habits. Both of these substances have a negative effect on your ability to breathe while sleeping. Alcohol relaxes some throat muscles to the point that sleep apnea becomes worse. Cigarettes also cause you to have difficulty breathing. If you can’t completely eliminate these habits, try avoiding them prior to bed.
Even kids can suffer from sleep apnea. If a child in your home shows symptoms like low grades in school, hostility, irritability, hyperactivity, inattention or mouth breathing, you should consider sleep apnea as a possibility to investigate. Often these symptoms are similar to ADHD, but you need to talk to a physician and consider sleep apnea as a cause as well.
Sleep Apnea
Sleeping pills and other drugs are not good solutions if you are having trouble falling asleep. Just like alcohol, these medications relax your throat when you sleep. There are also a myriad of other problems that can arise with the use of sleeping pills. Ask your physician about sleep aids that won’t also affect your breathing.
If you are overweight, lose some weight. Several studies have shown that there is a link between obesity and sleep apnea. Consequently, it is therefore possible that losing just twenty-five pounds could result in a dramatic improvement of your sleep apnea symptoms if you are currently suffering from obesity.
Do you travel frequently? If so, then do not forget to bring along your CPAP. When you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you should not go even one night without using your CPAP. Most CPAP machines have convenient and durable carrying cases. The bag should be used to secure your CPAP during all of your travels.
Using a wind instrument can be a huge help in treating your sleep apnea. Researchers from Germany found that practicing with the didgeridoo on a regular basis strengthens throat muscles. These muscles control your airway. This is why playing this instrument regularly will help strengthen these muscles, and reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
Losing weight is a good way to cut chances of developing sleep apnea. A lot of people find that if they shed weight they will help the apnea. Just losing a little bit of weight can go a long way in improving the symptoms of sleep apnea and opening up breathing passage ways.
Look for other sleeping aids besides sleeping pills. Relaxed throat muscles (caused by alcohol consumption as well as sleep medication) can contribute to an increase in sleep apnea. They also lead to other issues that can cause many problems, especially for someone suffering with sleep apnea. Discuss alternative methods for getting to sleep without altering your breathing with your physician.
Don’t use more than one standard pillow. Larger or stacked pillows can put your airways in an awkward position and limit your breathing. Not only is this bad for your neck in general, it also restricts your airway. You can minimize the impact your sleep apnea has by using just a single pillow in bed.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills can make it so your airways don’t function correctly. Sleeping pills could cause injury or death if your sleep apnea is particularly severe. It can be difficult to stay asleep when you have sleep apnea, but you need to use other methods, such as a CPAP.
Stop putting yourself at risk for sleep apnea. Certain risk factors are ones you can do nothing about it, like inheriting genetic traits or having been born a man. If you are an alcoholic, a smoker or are overweight, changing these factors may eliminate your sleep apnea.
Shed pounds if you want to get rid of your sleep apnea. A number of patients have found that shedding excess pounds is enough to resolve sleep apnea all by itself. In fact, you don’t have to lose a lot of weight to open up the airways and the throat.
Talk to your doctor before using a humidifier, mouth guard or nasal strips in conjunction with your CPAP sleep mask. If the air you breathe is moist, you have a higher chance of sleeping better and continuing your CPAP machine application. A humidifier can be an important part of your CPAP machine, so ask your doctor about a machine that handles both functions.
Snoring devices may serve your needs with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when air passages are totally obstructed, but snoring is the result of majority closure where air still gets through what is left. This is why it makes perfect sense as to why this might work for you. Devices that reduce or eliminate snoring can lessen sleep apnea symptoms.
Many people who have sleep apnea make the mistake of sleeping on their backs. You would be better served by laying on your side during sleep. To prevent yourself from rolling onto your back while asleep, try sewing a lumpy object like a ball on your pajamas. This will cause discomfort if you roll over onto your back.
It is clear from the information shared in this article that sleep apnea is a serious condition that impacts all areas of a person’s life. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, it is essential to make an appointment with your doctor for further information to make sure your symptoms are under control.
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. Almost all airlines will accommodate your need for extra space in order for you to use your equipment. Don’t forget your power adapter!