People who suffer from snoring know who annoying it can be. People who sleep with a snorer really know! But were you aware that there is an even more intense form of snoring that actually carries some heavy health risks? This is known as sleep apnea; read more about it in this article.
Try losing some weight. Getting into shape has many benefits. If you are on the heavier side and suffering from sleep apnea, you may find that slimming down helps with that as well. Studies have found that overweight and obese individuals are more likely to find relief from sleep apnea by getting themselves to a healthier weight.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine while sleeping. This will help you treat your sleep apnea and get you on the path to having a full nights sleep. This machine uses either a face or nasal mask to pump air while you sleep.
For people who suffer from sleep apnea, they may stop using their CPAP machine because it is noisy or too large. See if you can get an upgrade. The machines have gotten much smaller and quieter in recent years. You may be eligible for an upgrade. Contact your doctor or insurance provider for more information.
Make sure to provide relief for your allergies. Congestion can make it harder to breathe through your nose and force you to take in air through your mouth. Allergies can cause soft tissues to swell and make apnea much more severe. Research the medicines you use to treat your symptoms and be wary of adding side effects to the mix.
Keep your bedroom in prime shape for sleeping. Insomnia and sleep apnea are often connected. This makes keeping an environment in which you sleep at the right temperature, lightness level and sound level important for helping you get a good night of rest. The right environment also means leaving your stresses outside the bedroom to ensure you are relaxed enough to fall asleep.
Inform a friend or family member of your condition. Sleep apnea can be life threatening. It can also cause complications when combined with other conditions. Inform those around you of your sleep apnea. If the worst occurs, they will be able to pass this information along to a medical professional during an emergency.
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.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can be improved by losing weight if you are obese. Losing about 25 pounds can dramatically improve this condition. For some people that will cure the problem, for others it may just help improve the symptoms that you are experiencing. Try to eat healthy and make sure to get enough exercise every day.
It’s important to lose weight if you suffer from sleep apnea and you are overweight. The heavier you are, the harder it is for air to get down your throat. In fact, some studies suggest that obese people who suffer from sleep apnea can get rid of the condition by losing weight.
Many people simply lay down whenever they feel about it, and then complain when they aren’t sleeping well. The human body is based off of routine, so it is greatly beneficial to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. This can even help with snoring and apnea issues.
While sedatives and other sleep medications may help you fall asleep they are not so good when suffering from apnea. If possible, avoid taking any sleep aids to see if this improves your apnea problems. You just may find that something you thought was helping you to sleep was actually decreasing the quality of your sleep.
Clear your nasal passages before you go to sleep to avoid apnea. Open them up by using some saline spray, nasal dilator or a neti pot. Clearing the nasal passages will allow you to breathe easier while you are sleeping. Do not forget to use distilled water when you use a neti pot.
Make sure you don’t back sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea. Your airway is more prone to collapsing if you sleep on your back. Side sleeping is highly recommended if you suffer from sleep apnea. This way, gravity is not working against you quite as much.
One thing you can try if you suspect that you have sleep apnea is sleeping on your side instead of on your back. While this may not help if you are very overweight, it can reduce the effects of gravity on your airway. You can sew a pocket at the back of your PJ top and place a small ball in it, if need be, to keep yourself off your back.
Some sleep apnea patients find that aromatherapy help them a lot. Aromatherapy consists in smelling essential oils or flowers. Smells such as vervain are known to have a soothing effect: this smell could help you relax and go to sleep right away. You should talk to your doctor about aromatherapy and try it!
When you wake up gasping for breath, your body is not getting a steady supply of oxygen. As such, higher elevations can be a disaster for a sleep apnea sufferer. Oxygen levels are lower at higher elevations. If you can possibly avoid sleeping at elevations, it would behoove you to do so.
If you have sleep apnea and your doctor wants you to use a CPAP, focus on the health benefits of this treatment. It can be a difficult transition getting used to wearing a CPAP mask every night. You will be more motivated to stick with it if you think of the ways it will improve your overall health. Not only will you get a better night’s sleep, but you will have improvements in your blood pressure and your lung function as a result also.
Have you heard of this problem before? Is it possible that you actually suffer from this issue without knowing about it? Now that you have read through this article, you know the best ways to handle apnea if you, or a loved one, develop it later on in your lives.
