Untreated Sleep Apnea Can Have Serious Consequences

TIP! Lose weight if you need to. Studies have found a correlation between sleep apnea and obesity.

Sleep apnea is a big deal if it’s cutting into your sleep. You can get better sleep in a lot of different ways, if you have sleep apnea. Take a look at the information presented below that offers some helpful tips to give you a good night’s sleep.

TIP! Eating right can keep you healthy and well rested. It may surprise you how much eating poorly can affect your sleep apnea symptoms.

Stopping bad habits may help with your sleep apnea. Drinking and smoking are a couple of the biggest concerns. The muscle-relaxing effects of alcohol are very hard on the whole respiratory system and lead to significant breathing problems. Smoking damages all parts of your airways. Getting rid of these bad habits can help to lessen the frustration that sleep apnea brings.

Sleep Apnea

TIP! Sleep on your side. Many people who have sleep apnea also sleep looking straight up.

Look into corrective mouth pieces to help with your sleep apnea. You might have a narrow breathing passage, recessed chin, or small jaw naturally that can worsen sleep apnea. With a specialty device, you can change your sleeping position and align your jaw so that you are able to sleep.

TIP! Try using a chin strap if your mouth falls open when you sleep while using a CPAP each night. It’s simply fabric that keeps your chin up and mouth closed.

Don’t take sleeping pills if you can avoid it. Just like alcohol, these medications relax your throat when you sleep. They can also make other problems associated with sleep apnea worse. Think about asking your physician about ways you can get to sleep that will not affect your apnea.

TIP! If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. Whether the stay is for a planned surgery or sudden emergency, make sure you have access to your CPAP for the duration of your stay.

A diagnosis of sleep apnea usually involves your personal and family medical histories, as well as a comprehensive physical examination. Your general practitioner may order a sleep study. Based upon this, he or she may give you a referral for a sleep specialist. Sleep specialists focus primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of people with sleep disorders.

Sinus Problems

TIP! Lower risk factors for sleep apnea. 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.

Get treatment for your allergies or sinus problems if you have sleep apnea. Having sleep apnea means you already struggle to breathe during the night. The last thing you need is something else causing you difficulty breathing during your sleep. By treating your allergies or sinus problems, you will be more likely to get a full night’s rest and have energy for the day.

TIP! Quit smoking if you suffer from sleep apnea. Smoking can cause swelling in the airways, exacerbating sleep apnea.

Weight loss can make a huge difference in sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep apnea is more common in patients who are overweight and have a large neck circumference. Your breathing will be improved once you lose weight because the pressure will be reduced on the airway and your airflow will be increased.

TIP! Your sleep position can impact the severity of sleep apnea. Having a proper sleep position is necessary.

It is better to sleep on your side if you have sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back blocks your airways quite easily. Wedge a pillow in place to keep your body resting on your side while sleeping.

Sleep Apnea

TIP! If you have sleep apnea you should never sleep on the back. When you sleep on your back, you can obstruct your air passages and complicate your sleep patterns.

You should never smoke if you are dealing with sleep apnea. Smoking can cause swelling in the airways, exacerbating sleep apnea. You can use nicotine patches or replacement therapy to quit. The hardest period for the majority of smokers is the initial 30 days upon quitting. Then you get less cravings as more and more nicotine leaves the body.

TIP! Once you’ve received a sleep apnea diagnosis, it’s important to maintain contact with your physician. Your physician should provide you with ongoing support and treatment.

Strengthening your throat muscles can be very effective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms as well. When your breathing is obstructed by soft tissues collapsing in the anterior of your throat while you sleep, the result is sleep apnea. When your muscles are strenghthened they will not block your air passages.

TIP! Sleep apnea is always made much worse when you’re extremely tired each day. Try getting to bed at about the same time every night and relax with meditation or a warm bath before going to sleep.

If you are flying on a plane and it’s going to be a long trip, you need to speak with the airline ahead of time to make arrangements to use the CPAP machine. Friendly airlines are happy to seat you where there is sufficient room for you and your machine. If you are using a foreign airline, pack a power adapter that will fit their outlets.

TIP! The technical definition for sleep apnea is simply lacking oxygen when sleeping. Since this is the situation, sleep apnea sufferers should try to avoid spending their sleeping hours at high elevations.

People who snore or even those who have sleep apnea may benefit if they learn to play a musical instrument. Not only is this habit soothing, but a European research project showed that learning wind instruments like the Didgeridoo significantly cuts back on the problems of sleep apnea. This new method will help you control your airways.

TIP! Alcohol should be avoided, especially before going off to bed. Alcohol only makes the problems of sleep apnea much worse.

During times that are busy and stressful, everyone needs plenty of energy to get through their days. Do not allow sleep apnea to interfere with your life. Utilize the advice given above to have relief from this condition tonight.

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