Sleep apnea could be the reason why you can’t sleep at night. Lots of people have this unpleasant condition. Luckily, there are ways to reduce it. The following article will provide you with helpful advice to better cope with sleep apnea.
Some people’s sleep apnea can be traced to morbid obesity. Anyone who is overweight and suffers from sleep apnea needs to lose weight for the sake of their health. 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. Reducing carbohydrate intake can be an effective way to take off the pounds, according to some recent studies.
Sleep Apnea
Speak with your doctor about getting a mouth guard that will help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be caused by a genetically small jaw, recessed chin or a breathing passage that is too small. Special mouthpieces can help to maintain proper alignment while you sleep, allowing you to rest much better.
Start playing a wind instrument to alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. 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. Because of this, regular playing of this instrument can aid sleep by reducing the various symptoms that sleep apnea produces.
Mouth guards can be custom fit. Sleep apnea patients can have mouth guards that are custom made specifically to treat their condition. Instead of using a CPAP device, you can use a mouth guard. Your airway will stay open wider and the guard will provide added stability for your throat.
It can be a very serious issue when you have sleep apnea. If you are experiencing some of the signs associated with this condition, you should consult with your doctor right away. In the process of fully diagnosing your condition, you may be able to consult with a sleep specialist. Home sleep tests with portable monitors are also often used to pinpoint sleep apnea.
Sleeping pills are bad to take for people with sleep apnea. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Avoid them at all costs to prevent yourself from hurting your body any more.
Sleep Apnea
Reduce your sleep apnea risk factors. Some of the risk factors associated with sleep apnea cannot be changed such as being born a male or having it run it the family. However, things like quitting smoking and drinking are within your control, and there’s no excuse for continuing these detrimental behaviors.
You shouldn’t be smoking if you are afflicted with sleep apnea. Smoking causes swelling in your upper airway, which negatively impacts sleep apnea. Try to use some nicotine patches or other stop smoking programs or medications. Many people have the most difficulty during the initial month. Once that happens, nicotine leaves your system and cravings begin dissipating.
Sleep Apnea
Making the muscles in your throat much stronger is an excellent way to help the alleviate the sleep apnea. When the soft tissue of the throat collapses, the airway becomes blocked and sleep apnea occurs. When the muscles have strengthened, collapsing is less likely to occur, thus keeping your airways free.
Don’t binge drink if you have sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol can cause your throat to relax which can make sleep apnea worse. Either stop drinking entirely, or limit your consumption to only one or two drinks well before you go to bed. Doing so will minimize the chance that alcohol will interfere with your sleep.
You can now hopefully see that you have options available to you for dealing with your sleep apnea. Everyone is different, and it’s important to find out which treatment option will fit your specific situation best. Applying what you’ve learned here is a start to getting the rest you crave. You shouldn’t let sleep apnea take control of your life.