There are a lot of people out there who think that their excessive tiredness is just the way things are. That is far from the truth. Dealing with sleep apnea is an issue many people suffer with, and it is best to be educated about this condition.
If a person is severely overweight, they are much more likely to develop sleep apnea. Losing even a few pounds can make a big difference. Diet and exercise can do wonders to treat this condition. Some studies suggest that limiting carbohydrate intake can lead to weight loss, as well.
Sleep mouth guards can benefit you if you suffer from sleep apnea. Devices like these can align your airways properly to allow you better sleep. Talk to your physician about these, and get a fitting if you two think it might work.
Do you light up or knock some back every day? Lose all your bad habits. Both of these substances have a negative effect on your ability to breathe while sleeping. Alcohol can relax airways while smoking can cause them to swell, both of which can cause you to have sleep apnea. Eliminate drinking or smoking before bedtime if you can’t avoid them entirely.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
You should know that aside from helping you to lose weight, healthy food can also help to lessen sleep apnea symptoms, too. Changing from a poor diet to a healthy one can transform your sleep apnea symptoms. There is scientific data that suggests that eating a poor diet can worsen sleep apnea, independent of a person’s weight.
Sleep apnea is a significant disorder. If you find you have some of the symptoms, talk to a physician as soon as you can. A specialist in sleep disorders can order the tests necessary to diagnose the condition.
Sleep Apnea
Try sleeping on your side to prevent sleep apnea from robbing you of a good night’s sleep. Sleeping on your back can block your airway. Make it a habit of falling asleep on your side, which hopefully does alleviate some of these sleep apnea symptoms.
To help alleviate this condition, you should sleep on your side. A lot of people who suffer from sleep apnea are back sleepers. When you sleep on your back it can cause your throat and mouth tissues to impede your airways. Sleeping on one’s side is a better option. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try propping yourself up with pillows.
Avoid medications that are designed to help you sleep. The muscles in your airway may become too relaxed. Sleeping pills can actually really harm you and prevent any air from coming through your body, so stay away from them as much as possible.
Keeping a sleep log can help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea. Sleep logs are records where patients write down the length and quality of their sleep. If you have a partner, you can find out about snoring issues, breathing issues or flailing limb issues. This log will assist your doctor in diagnosing your condition.
Chin Strap
Use a chin strap if you find your mouth continuing to fall open while you sleep with a CPAP machine. It is only a small fabric strap that keeps your chin in place so you can sleep with a closed mouth. CPAP therapy is not successful with an open mouth, so use the chin strap to help alleviate the problem.
If you’re a sleep apnea sufferer undergoing CPAP treatment, don’t forget to take your machine along if you’re going to the hospital. If you are scheduled for hospitalization or if you go to emergency, you should make available your CPAP machine and mask. The machine that you bring will help you find comfort at the hospital because it is the one you always use. You’ll be able to resume your CPAP therapy much easier by having these things in the hospital with you.
With the information provided in this article, you are in a better position to recognize and address the condition of sleep apnea in yourself and your loved ones. Being tired all the time is not normal, and you do not need to suffer in silence.