People who suffer from sleep apnea can attest to how badly they want to conquer their condition. For proper management of sleep apnea, the right information is vital. Anyone who wants to expand their overall base of knowledge on the subject of sleep apnea is likely to find the following article quite helpful.
A physician is the best person to ask about which CPAP machine is the right one to use for your specific situation. The size of the machine and the loudness are both things that need to be considered. There are some very small and quiet machines available. You can consult with your doctor to see who you should talk to in order to get a good machine.
Make sure that the mask you use on your CPAP machine fits properly. Often, people will stop using their CPAP because the mask does not fit right. If your mask is uncomfortable, try getting a different mask. There are many different masks available, so choose one that fits right and is comfortable to use.
There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, central, and complexes are all forms of sleep apnea. You need to go to the doctor and have a professional assess which type of sleep apnea you have, so they can offer the best treatment and advice for your specific condition.
Do your best to sleep off your back and on your side. Many people with sleep apnea sleep while on their backs. When you sleep, your throat muscles relax, and back sleeping causes gravity to pull the relaxed muscles downward, restricting airflow. You will breathe easier if you sleep on your side. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try propping yourself up with pillows.
If you sleep alone, figuring out if you suffer from sleep apnea may be difficult. You can remedy this problem by setting up a recorder that can film you while you’re sleeping at night. You need to include audio in your video because the doctor needs to hear the noises you make.
Do not take pain medications such as morphine. This medication can lower your oxygen level and make your symptoms even worst. If you take a high dose of morphine, your life could be in danger. If you go to the hospital and are given a pain medication, let the doctors know you have sleep apnea.
Try to slim down. Sleep apnea is exacerbated and sometimes even caused by obesity. Try losing enough weight to shift your BMI from obese to just overweight or even healthy. People who have lost weight have improved their sleep apnea symptoms, and some have even cured their sleep apnea completely.
If you currently are using a CPAP machine for sleeping, ask your general practitioner to prescribe a humidifier that is heated as well. You are much more likely to have a good night’s sleep and stick with your CPAP therapy if the air being delivered is warm and moist. A lot of CPAP machines come with built-in humidifiers, so ask your doctor to prescribe that type for you.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, try to replace your mask and hose every six months. Most insurance policies allow for a new mask and hose every six months, and some allow you to replace them every three months. The mask can stop fitting well after several months of use, and the hose can develop small cracks or holes that let air leak. Replace these items to keep getting the best CPAP therapy possible.
Believe it or not, it has been scientifically proven that your sleep apnea can be tied to your weight. In a recent study, it was proven that people who have lost at least 25 pounds relieved their sleep apnea symptoms. This drastic slim down should be taken slowly, over the course of at least one year.
Sleeping in certain positions can also impact your sleep apnea. It’s important to find the best position for you to sleep in. Elevate your body by placing a foam wedge under it. You can also lift up your bed by several inches at the head end.
Don’t drink alcohol, especially at night. The reason most people drink alcohol is to relax, but it also causes the muscles that control your airways to relax as well. When you go to sleep with ultra-relaxed airway muscles, it can make your sleep apnea symptoms worse. Do your body and your wallet a favor and cut out the booze.
There have been many advances in the treatment of sleep apnea recently and it is in your best interest to explore all of the various options in treatments. If you were unhappy with previous results from past treatments, you may find a new treatment that will work for you and that you will be comfortable with.
Make sure to do some throat exercises every day to reduce any symptoms of sleep apnea. Try making silly faces and sticking out your tongue. It might seem funny, though according to some new studies, exercising your tongue and jaw on a daily basis can reduce the symptoms that you are experiencing.
One quick tip for trying to get a better night’s sleep is to sleep only on your side and not on your back. If you sleep with someone else, ask them to gently roll you over any time they see you on your back. This can help to keep your airflow more controlled.
Avoid anything that can make your sleep apnea worse, especially high altitudes. Sleeping in a high altitude ie. airplanes can actually make your symptoms worse as the loss of oxygen increases. If you must travel, make sure you talk to your physician about how you can relieve your symptoms of sleep apnea.
People who struggle with sleep apnea every single day, are constantly searching for the treatment solution that will work to cure their problem. Knowledge is key to understanding how to control the sleep apnea symptoms. The strategies in this article will help sleep apnea sufferers sleep well and get on with their lives.
