You have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Having a basic understanding of your Sleep Apnea condition can help you in many ways. By taking some time to review the information presented here, you will better prepare yourself to continue living productively and enjoying a great night sleep. This makes the condition less debilitating, and it helps you to enjoy a higher quality of life. We would also suggest a quality mattress from organic mattress Atlanta or if not in the area try the Mattresses Lafayette shop it helps with the nerve pain.
This is likely a scary time in your life, and you might not fully understand what you need to do to improve your condition and continue living a productive life. While this diagnosis can be debilitating if not managed correctly, there are things you can do to continue living productively and sleeping well.
You really need to do your best to lose weight if you have sleep apnea. Those who have sleep apnea typically have a neck circumference of 17 inches or more. This excess weight around the throat causes the airway to collapse more easily during sleep. Reducing your weight by even ten pounds can have a beneficial impact on your sleep apnea.
Eating in a healthy way will help you drop weight and fight apnea. Many people may be surprised how much a poor diet plays in the symptoms of sleep apnea. People who do not eat well, or are overweight, may suffer from sleep apnea.
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 your best to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. When your body gets into a customary sleeping cycle, you will find yourself getting a better night’s sleep, and you will also be more relaxed. Several studies have shown that apnea episodes decrease when a person is not sleep deprived or stressed out.
Sleep apnea sufferers should always invest in a heated humidifier equipped with a bacterial filtering mechanism for use in the room where they sleep. By utilizing this type of machine, it is possible to guard against the fragile membranes that line the lungs and nasal passages, preventing exacerbation of existing symptoms.
If you do not know if your snoring is from sleep apnea or just simple snoring, try using a sleep diary. In this diary, you will need to record how much time you spend in bed, the number of times that you awaken each night, and how tired you feel when you arise in the morning.
Take the steps to find out if you actually have sleep apnea. Those who snore don’t necessarily have the disorder. If you have a sleeping partner, ask them questions about your actions during sleep. Do you stop breathing and gasp for air? That is a sure sign of sleep apnea.
If you are requiring a hospital visit, don’t leave the CPAP machine behind. It doesn’t matter whether your hospital visit is planned or an emergency, your CPAP should be there with you, along with your mask. It will be a lot easier and more comfortable if you bring yours instead of using one at the hospital. This lessens the stress of being away from home and enables you to continue the CPAP therapy while at the hospital.
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.
Some situations of sleep apnea are solved with corrective mouth pieces. Some people have a natural shape and set to their jaws that encourages restricted air passages and makes sleep apnea more likely. Proper jaw alignment for easy breathing during sleep is possible thanks to corrective mouth guards.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s important that you stay away from sleeping pills, cough syrup, or any other medication that may make you drowsy before going to sleep. These medications over-relax the throat muscles during sleep, even causing them to “collapse”, making it hard for enough air to come through.
When you are sleeping, in addition to laying on your side, it is also useful to prop your head up. This can be done by using an extra pillow or even a special pillow designed for people who suffer from apnea. A special wedge pillow is the perfect shape for this function.
Don’t take sleeping pills. You may feel like the answer to your sleep problems would be a pill to help you sleep, but it’s not! Sedatives and other sleep aids cause your muscles, including your throat muscles, to relax. Relaxed throat muscles are even harder to control while sleeping and are a danger to those who suffer from sleep apnea.
Once you’ve received a sleep apnea diagnosis, it’s important to maintain contact with your physician. Your doctor can give you proper tips and information on this condition. When you try a new treatment, plan on meeting with your doctor after a month or so to talk about how efficient the treatment is.
Communicate with your significant other who may be sharing the bed with you. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that has many health risks. It’s important that you, as a family, are aware of those risks, how to combat it and tell-tale signs of side effects that can be harmful.
There are different kinds of masks you can use. Some masks cover your whole face while some others only cover your nose and mouth. Try different products and choose one you feel comfortable wearing in bed. If you feel like your CPAP machine is not really working, try using a different mask with it.
An excellent way to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea is to prop up your head and body. If you can get your head at least 4 inches off of the mattress or elevate your torso from the waist up, you will reduce your symptoms. Try using a foam wedge or cervical pillow when sleeping to do this.