Sleep apnea is something that people do not know they have a lot of the time. When a person has sleep apnea, their airway closes up while they are sleeping and they cannot breathe well. Keep reading for more information about this scary and possibly life-threatening affliction.
Sleep Apnea
Speak with your doctor about getting a mouth guard that will help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea. You could be dealing with a narrow breathing airways, or a small jaw which can all make the problems of sleep apnea much worse. You can overcome these difficulties and experience much more restful sleep by using a custom-fitted device to keep your jaw and airway properly aligned.
Lose weight if you need to. Research has shown a clear link between sleep apnea and obesity. Therefore, just losing twenty pounds or so could help provide significant relief from your sleep apnea.
If you want to find relief from sleep apnea, pick up a wind instrument. Research conducted in Germany has shown that you can greatly strengthen the muscles of your upper airway by taking up an instrument like the didgeridoo. You’ll have better control over your airway’s dilation and the stiffness of the surrounding tissues if you exercise these muscles. So, if you play this instrument on a daily basis, it will help to limit the sleep apnea symptoms which in turn will give you a good night’s sleep.
If your doctor prescribes a mouth guard, make sure it is properly fitted. Guards like these are specifically made for assisting sleep apnea patients. It is a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and is much more comfortable to wear at night. A mouth guard will work by positioning the jaw and tongue in a helpful way that will allow for easier breathing while asleep.
You must use your CPAP at least 4 hours nightly after receiving your unit. Sleeping while using a CPAP can be difficult to adjust to at first, but it is not impossible. However, in order to be effective, the CPAP has to be used for four hour every night. Keep trying to use your machine, and work up to a full night slowly if you need to.
Sleep Apnea
Your kids may have sleep apnea. If he or she is cranky, active, inattentive and tends to breathe through their nose, they may have sleep apnea. A lot of sleep apnea symptoms are associated with ADHD, so work with your doctor to investigate all possibilities.
Don’t underestimate the potential health consequences of sleep apnea. If you suspect that you or a loved one has it, it’s important to make an appointment with a physician to talk to them about it soon. An official diagnosis might mean consultation with a sleep specialist, a sleep test and monitoring to get a whole grasp on your situation.
You may benefit from wearing a medical bracelet that explains your sleep apnea, the treatment your are undergoing for the condition and the proper pressure level for your CPAP. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. This ID needs to specify you suffer from sleep apnea and have a CPAP that needs to be set on a certain pressure level.
Do your research to find out how this sleeping condition is affecting your life. Contacting your doctor may be necessary in order to find out more about minimizing symptoms and the threat posed by sleep apnea.