Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night for no known reason? If you live alone you may not know what is happening, but if you sleep with a loved one, they can probably tell you that you are snoring or experiencing sleep apnea! Keep reading to learn how to deal with this ailment.

Do you always sleep on your back? Try sleeping on your side instead. When you sleep on your back with a head propped on a pillow, your airways get narrower. Go to sleep on your side and use cushions to prevent yourself from rolling in your sleep. Your airways should remain open as long as you are on your side.

Stop smoking for relief from sleep apnea. Smoking can cause swelling in the airways, exacerbating sleep apnea. Quitting can be handled through a cessation program or even nicotine replacement programs. Many people find the first month to be the hardest. Following that time, the nicotine will start leaving your body, and you’ll have decreased cravings.

If you have a CPAP machine, you should always have it with you. Using a different machine might not work as well since the settings or the mask might be different. If you have to go to the hospital, have someone bring your machine so you can keep on using it.

If you have sleep apnea, and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit right away. Smoking causes the throat to inflame, making it hard for air to get into your airways. In fact, studies suggest that smoking may cause or worsen sleep apnea in some patients. So, avoid it altogether!

If you find that your CPAP machine is too drying, your physician can prescribe a humidifier for your mask. Moist, warm air can be an effective way to make sure that you use your CPAP machine by making it more comfortable. There are various CPAP machines that have humidifiers built in, so ask your doctor about prescribing one for your apnea.

New apnea patients who are being fitted for CPAP equipment should insist on trying out several mask options. It is customary for the DME providers (Durable Medical Equipment) to show up at your door with a CPAP machine and a basic mask. Truth be told, there are many different styles of masks, and finding the best style for you dramatically improves your compliance with the CPAP therapy. Take the upper hand and insist that they show you a variety of masks, even if you have to go into their showroom. Like so many health issues, knowledge is the key. You will get better service and far more relief by knowing your options and speaking your mind.

While you may not be obese or even very overweight, even a couple of extra pounds can cause sleep apnea. That means even if you have a little belly, you should work to get rid of it and see if that removes your sleeping problems. You will thank yourself for it afterwards.

If your sleep apnea is caused by misalignment of your jaw, which results in the narrowing of your airway, you may benefit from visiting a doctor. A doctor can look at the alignment and suggest a night mouth guard that will force your airways to stay open while sleeping by holding your jaw in proper alignment.

Learn to recognize sleep apnea. If you snore a lot or choke and can’t breathe during the night, this is probably a sign of sleep apnea. Use a tape recorded if you sleep alone and listen to the tape to find out how much noise you make during the night.

If you are trying to sleep on your side to avoid problems with sleep apnea, one way to do ensure you stay on your side is to put hard round object in your clothes. This will help you to stay on your side throughout an entire night’s sleep and avoid apnea.

To lessen the severity of your sleep apnea at night, move around more during the day! Studies have shown that prolonged inactivity during the day will cause fluid-shifting and airway narrowing by the end of the day, when you lay back or down. To avoid this complication of sleep apnea, get up and stretch at least once every hour.

Alcohol has also been shown to negatively exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea. As a depressant it relaxes your throat muscles, making it easier for your airway to become blocked. By not drinking in the hours leading up to bedtime you give yourself a better chance of keeping your airways open.

When you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may initially worry that you will never sleep well again, but that need not be true. By following these tips you will be on the path to a great night’s sleep once again. This is important not only for you, but also for any loved ones who sleep nearby.

Getting Great Sleep Despite Sleep Apnea: Here’s How was originally published on Spring