Quality rest is a very significant component of healthy living and if you suffer from sleep apnea, your health and life are compromised. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize symptoms of sleep apnea and improve the quality of your rest. Start by checking out the tips in the following article.
One way to improve your sleep apnea is to shed excess weight that you are carrying. Being overweight or obese places pressure on your neck, which can compress your windpipe as you sleep. Losing just 25 pounds can make a difference in your symptoms, and losing enough weight can eliminate the disorder altogether.
Taking up a musical instrument (especially a wind instrument) can have a positive effect on your sleep apnea. A German study found that didgeridoo playing gives you better motor control over your airways. These muscles control the dilation of your airway and the stiffening of the airway walls. This is why if you play often you will have less sleep apnea issues.
Consider sleeping sitting up if you have sleep apnea, and you do not have a CPAP available. Perhaps you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but you have not had your CPAP prescribed yet. Maybe the power went out, and your CPAP will not work without electricity. Whenever you have to sleep without the benefit of CPAP therapy, sleeping sitting up will help to keep your airway from collapsing.
If you are over weight, going on a diet can reduce your sleep apnea, or in rare cases, eliminate it completely. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you breathe easier, so losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight when you have trouble breathing is an obvious step in treating your sleep apnea.
If you use a CPAP machine, make sure the mask fits well. Most people who quit using their CPAP machine usually say it is because the machine is uncomfortable. There are a number of different masks available, so you are not forced to use one that causes discomfort. Try out many different styles to find the right one.
Making the muscles in your throat much stronger is an excellent way to help the alleviate the sleep apnea. Difficulty in breathing causes sleep apnea, which is a result of your soft tissue collapsing in your throat. Stronger muscles have more integrity and will not be as likely to block your airways.
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.
The CPAP machine is a common medical device, used by millions of people. Do not be self-conscious about it. Inform people you are using it so you don’t feel awkward when you need to bring it out when other people are around. The use of your CPAP device is medically necessary, and if anybody mocks you over it, consider getting friends who take life more seriously.
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.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, change your sleeping position to reduce the number of sleep apnea events. Sleep on your side instead of on your back to lessen the likelihood that the soft tissue in the back of the throat will collapse and block your air passages. Prop a pillow behind your back to help you stay on your side as you sleep.
Your nasal breathing may contribute to sleep apnea. If you have a stuffy nose, make sure that you help open your airways with a nose spray. Your local drugstore sells over the counter sprays that are great for this purpose, but feel free to ask a pharmacist for help choosing the right one.
There are several tools available to open up nasal passages that work to varying degrees. You should try several of these to see if any of them work well for you. The cheapest and easiest options are nasal strips, but neti pots are also becoming increasingly common for this type of problem.
Prop up your upper body while you sleep. If you have an adjustable bed, raise the head of the bed about four to six inches. If you have a standard bed, purchase a body or a special cervical pillow to keep your upper body raised while you are sleeping.
Sleep apnea begins in the throat, and exercising the throat muscles can help prevent apnea. If you want to learn exercises that can make your throat stronger, do a little research; there are plenty available.
Do not give up if the first treatment you try does not work. Give each treatment a few weeks before you decide to give up and move on to the next treatment. Finding the right solution can take some time, but you will be glad you went through this process.
If you notice that one of your relatives has unusual sleep patterns, snores a lot and always look tired, this might mean they have sleep apnea and are not aware of it. Tell them what you know about this condition and encourage them to go see a doctor for some tests.
If extra tissue is present in your throat airways, it could be causing your sleep apnea and could possibly necessitate surgical removal. A procedure known as UPPP can remove the tissue, enlarging your airway. If you still have your tonsils, the surgeon will likely remove them during this procedure.
Hopefully you have found solutions to your sleep apnea problems within this article, and can put them to work for you right away. Lack of sleep snowballs into many other problems and before long, nothing is under control. Start getting the sleep you need by getting control over sleep apnea!
