Far too many people find themselves not getting enough sleep at night, but they often do not realize that their fatigue may be caused by a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is pretty common, caused when an obstruction blocks the air passage. If you worry that sleep apnea may be in the picture, read on.
If you are dealing with sleep apnea and you’re a smoker and drinker, you should quit now to help improve the symptoms of this condition. Both of these habits have a negative effect on the muscles in your airway. Instead of costly surgery or some other medical procedure, losing these bad habits is the best way to save yourself money and address this condition.
Shed a bit of weight if you can. Obesity has clearly been linked with sleep apnea in multiple studies. For this reason, losing as little as 25 pounds could resolve your sleep apnea problems even if you would actually need to lose quite a bit more to attain your ideal weight.
Sleep Apnea
Playing wind instruments can actually help you control sleep apnea. A German study has shown that playing wind instruments such as the digeridoo will help your sleep apnea. The muscles have a large impact on how well you breathe. Regular playing can significantly reduce the occurrence of the symptoms of sleep apnea by allowing these muscle to function properly and letting you get a peaceful night’s rest.
Try to avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar to alcohol in that they cause the muscles in your throat to be less tense. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. Stress relief through meditation or exercise can also help you fall asleep safely.
Sleep Apnea
If you are taking a vacation and suffer from sleep apnea, don’t forget to bring your CPAP machine along. Using a CPAP is essential every night for those of you living with sleep apnea. The original packaging should have included a convenient carrying case for travel. Use it to bring your CPAP machine with you, no matter where you are sleeping.
If you have sinus or allergy issues, this may be causing your sleep apnea. Having sleep apnea means you already struggle to breathe during the night. You don’t need anything else to interfere with your sleep. You’ll experience a better night of sleep and reduce the odds of running into serious breathing difficulties if you take care of nasal and sinus issues without delay.
Stick with a single ordinary pillow when you go to sleep. Your sleeping position can be affected negatively by multiple pillows or an over-sized one. Your body is in an unnatural position and breathing becomes difficult. Try out different pillows until you find just one pillow that allows you to lay your head flatter against the bed each night so you can breathe more freely.
If you have a stuffy nose, use a saline spray or neti pot. This should help clear any blockages in the airways for a couple of nights. Don’t overuse nasal spray though, it can cause your nose damage and irritate it. Your pharmacy can offer a variety of solutions or options to clear your air passages as you sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Lessen your chances of getting sleep apnea. Some risks are inherent, such as family history or being male. If you are an alcoholic, a smoker or are overweight, changing these factors may eliminate your sleep apnea.
Once you learn you have sleep apnea, you should find treatment as soon as possible. Being able to sleep in a healthy, natural manner is vital to your well-being and long-term health. Getting a better night’s sleep can improve the quality of your life.