Sleep apnea is a big deal. Many people blow off talk of sleep apnea without realizing that it is a disorder that is potentially dangerous for anyone. Read this article so that you can learn what you need to know that will help you and everyone you know about sleep apnea.
If you want to ease your sleep apnea, it’s crucial that you speak with your physician regarding CPAP machines and which is best for you. Think about the machine’s size and noise levels. Don’t worry too much about the sound as there are many types of very quiet machines that will not disrupt sleep. Your doctor can recommend which machines his patients have had the most success with.
You should know that getting a CPAP machine is not going to make your symptoms go away for good. These machines will help you sleep better and perhaps reduce your symptoms on the long term. Keep in mind that you really need to use your machine every night for this treatment to work.
Playing wind instruments can actually help you control sleep apnea. Researchers in Germany have suggested that the didgeriddo can improve upper airway muscles. These muscles are responsible for the strength of your airway passage and its ability to dilate. This means that if you practice regularly, you will notice a reduction in sleep apnea symptoms and snoring.
If you have sleep apnea, try sleeping on your side. If you are a back or stomach sleeper, gravity is working against you all night. Your airway is much more likely to collapse if you are facing straight up or down. Sleeping on your side instead makes it much easier for your body to maintain your airway as you sleep.
Try some throat and mouth exercises. One reason people suffer from sleep apnea is because their throats close when they sleep. Strengthening these muscles can decrease the chance that they will go slack while you are sleeping. Try some tongue, jaw and neck exercises to increase your throat strength.
Do not let sleep apnea ruin your relationship. If your partner has difficulties sleeping next to you because of your snoring or other symptoms linked to sleep apnea, communicate about the problem. be understanding and consider sleeping apart or getting a CPAP machine to reduce your snoring and other symptoms.
If you suspect that you have a sleeping disorder, but are unsure, enter a sleep study. They may be able to diagnose your disorder as sleep apnea and make suggestions regarding treatment. Treatments include mouth guards, CPAP, diet changes, and modifications of sleeping habits. You won’t know your options until you speak with someone about it.
If you do not know if your snoring is from sleep apnea or just simple snoring, try using a sleep diary. In this diary, you will need to record how much time you spend in bed, the number of times that you awaken each night, and how tired you feel when you arise in the morning.
For the sleep apnea patient using CPAP treatment, the wide range of options in machines and masks can seem overwhelming. The key to selecting the best equipment for your needs is to test out the various models yourself. Your Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider should have a variety of masks and accessories available for you to try out. Don’t settle for the “standard” company mask. Insist on viewing several and being fitted properly. Comfort and good fit are key to successfully adjusting to CPAP treatment.
There are known risk factors for sleep apnea. Some of obstructive sleep apnea risk factors are being overweight, a smoker, male, related to someone with sleep apnea or being Hispanic, Black, or a Pacific Islander. If you have one or more of these risk factors, you are more prone to being diagnosed with sleep apnea.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. Whether the hospital stay is a planned one or it’s just an emergency room visit, always bring along the CPAP machines just in case you need to stay for awhile. The settings will be prepared and you won’t have to adjust the pressure. These things will make it much easier to continue your CPAP therapy while you are hospitalized.
Think about using nasal spray if your nasal passages are stopped up. This will help clear your nasal passages before you go to bed. Nasal spray is not a permanent solution to nighttime breathing issues, though; prolonged use will cause irritation and possibly sinus damage. Visit your pharmacy to see what your options are for keeping your nasal passages open as you sleep.
The first thing to do when you think you are dealing with sleep apnea is to discover if it is really apnea or just advanced snoring. If you have a loved one sleeping with you, this can be done alone at home, but if not you may need to visit a sleep clinic.
If you have sleep apnea, and you have to have a sleep study, considering taking your pillow from home with you. It can be very difficult to sleep in the sleep lab. You are in an unfamiliar place in a strange bed. You have lots of wires, and electrodes attached to you. Having your own pillow can help to relax you and make it easier to fall asleep.
If you do not have a partner who can relay how your breathing is during the night, try recording yourself. Set up a camcorder and play it back in the morning. Then you can see if you stop breathing for long periods of time or snore excessively. Make sure you have enough light for the camera. Modern cameras will record well in low light, but you do need some.
Knowing what sleep apnea is helps to arm you with power. You should now be well equipped to talk about it with more authority thanks to the information given here. If you think someone you know has sleep apnea, speak up. You can be the one that keeps others happy, healthy and alive for many more years.
