Have you just learned you have sleep apnea? If so, then don’t be afraid. Although the disorder can have dramatic, negative health consequences, if treated properly it is possible to live a normal life. It is, however, important that you learn as much as you can about the best sleep apnea treatments, which is the focus of this article.
A common reason that people have sleep apnea is due to the extra pounds on their bodies. Losing even a few pounds can make a big difference. The best way to lose weight is to become physically active with exercise at least four times per week and eat less food calories than are burned off each day by activity. Taking carbohydrates out of a diet is something that studies show helps people lose weight.
Talk to a physician about the right CPAP machine for you. You must consider both the size of your machine and its loudness. Quality CPAP machines are nearly noise-free and easily fit on a bedside table. Your physician can recommend the best manufacturers in the industry.
Throat Muscles
Reduce your consumption of alcohol. Your muscles are relaxed by drinking alcohol. If the throat muscles are too relaxed, they can collapse and block your airway. Because alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, your airway is harder to control. Try your best to limit your drinking if you do decide to have alcohol, and try to not have any right before bed.
Try something other than sleeping pills. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. They’re also known for causing other problems in those that have to deal with sleep apnea. Ask your doctor about sleeping aids that won’t have a negative impact on your breathing.
Normally sleep apnea is diagnosed after getting a physical exam, but it also helps to study your family’s medical history to see if it’s prevalent among your relatives. Also, there may be a sleep study performed and even a sleep specialist recommended if the doctor treating you feels that your condition is severe enough to get it looked at further.
If you are using a CPAP, always have a medical ID on you. If you ever need medical attention in an emergency, it is critical that healthcare providers know that you have this condition and use that machine. The ID should mention that you have sleep apnea, you use a CPAP, and your CPAP should be set to a particular pressure level.
Sleep Apnea
If you’re not finding that anything is helping with your sleep apnea condition, talking to a doctor about various treatment options is recommended. Not everyone responds to the standard treatment for sleep apnea, and some may need to do something a little more drastic, including surgical techniques.
Sleep with just a single, average-sized pillow each night. Using multiple or oversized pillows makes it more likely that you will end up in a position that encourages sleep apnea. Not only is this bad for your neck in general, it also restricts your airway. That’s why using one pillow may be the answer to your sleep apnea problem.
Sleep Apnea
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea might want to consider losing weight as a means to relieve the symptoms. Sometimes, sleep apnea is due to the excess weight around the neck area. Losing weight can reduce pressure on the airways and cause better airflow when breathing at night.
Minimize your alcohol intake. Drinking can relax the throat muscles too much, and that can cause airways to be blocked as well as snoring. You should either quit drinking, or try and limit it to an occasional drink before going to bed. This will lessen the chances of alcohol interrupting your sleep.
Remember that you need not feel embarrassed by your CPAP machine and your treatments. You will need to quickly get used to using it front of those who are closest to you. If you have to use a CPAP machine your family and friends should not make fun of it.
Sleep Apnea
If you ignore your sleep apnea, it will only get worse. Luckily, you don’t need to suffer another day, as there are effective treatments for sleep apnea. The suggestions you’ve just read through make excellent starting points for a sleep apnea treatment regimen. Talk it over with your physician and get started today!