The exasperation and heartbreak sleep apnea can cause in the lives of sufferers and their family members cannot be overestimated. For this reason, it is crucial for those affected by this condition to gain as much information as possible. The collection of tips and guidance that follows below is a great place to start.

Consider elevating the head of your bed if you suffer from sleep apnea. As you sleep, gravity is constantly pulling on your muscles and causing your airway to close. If you elevate the head of your bed a bit, the slight incline makes it easier for your body to maintain your airway when you are sleeping.

Try your best to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. When your body gets into a customary sleeping cycle, you will find yourself getting a better night’s sleep, and you will also be more relaxed. Several studies have shown that apnea episodes decrease when a person is not sleep deprived or stressed out.

Sleep Apnea patients using a CPAP machine may find that a humidifier is their best friend. The continuous passage of air from the machine can dry out sensitive nasal membranes, creating discomfort. A room humidifier, placed near the machine, often provides the humidification needed for comfortable sleep. If that isn’t sufficient, machines with integrated humidification chambers are available and allow the patient to customize the amount of moisture they receive.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, avoid using sleeping pills. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Though they may help you sleep, you need the ability to wake should your airway colse too much.

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.

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.

One great way to track your sleep progress, especially if you sleep alone, is by recording yourself in the night. The next day you can watch for signs of apnea and see if there are specific times or triggers that cause the apnea. This is a great resource for your medical professional as well.

If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at night, consider using saline nasal spray. The continuous airflow being pushed through your nose every time you sleep can cause your sinuses to dry out. Keep them hydrated by using two pumps of saline nasal spray in each nostril morning and night.

Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse. This is why it’s essential to sleep in a good position. Use a foam wedge to raise the top part of your body higher. Or, if you can, raise the top of your bed by at least four inches.

People suffering from sleep apnea are well advised not to sleep on their backs. Sleeping in this position blocks your airways, which will interfere with your sleep. You could try sleeping on your side or in a semi-reclining position propped up with pillows.

If your nasal airways are too narrow, try using nasal strips. These can be bought in any pharmacy and will not damage your airways like sprays do. Choose a quality product and apply the strips right before you go to bed. Breathing should be a little easier with these strips.

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 have sleep apnea, take the advice of several scientific studies and try doing some throat exercises. These exercises help to strengthen the muscles that surround the airway, making them less likely to collapse. One such exercise is to use your tongue and press on the top of your mouth. Maintain this pressure for around three minutes before releasing. Try this exercise daily.

The impact of sleep apnea on sufferers and their loved ones is unquestionably quite serious. To truly get a handle on the situation and find viable solutions, solid information is a necessity. By reviewing the information in the preceding piece, you are well on your way to possessing a thorough understanding of the causes and potential treatments for sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Advice Straight From The Experts was originally published on Spring