Have you heard the term sleep apnea before? It may be surprising, but many people who think they simply snore actually suffer from this advanced, dangerous form called sleep apnea. If you, or a loved one, is dealing with this ailment, then be sure to read through the tips found here.
Get a mouth guard made specifically for you. They make these mouth guards specifically for people that suffer from sleep apnea. Instead of using a CPAP device, you can use a mouth guard. The mouth guard keeps your jaw in the proper position and keeps your airway more open.
Start sleeping on your side. When you sleep on your back and have sleep apnea, your airway gets block by your tongue and throat tissues. To avoid rolling onto your back once you are asleep, try sleeping with pillows cushioning your side. This helps prevent you from turning onto your back.
If you are taking a great deal of medicines on a regular basis, sit with your doctor and discuss how they can be reduced. Side effects from prescription medication can be making your sleep apnea worse. Keep a dialog open with your doctor and make sure he is up to date on all your symptoms.
Try yourself to sleep on your side. If you fall asleep on your back, gravity can make it easier for your tongue and/or tonsils to fall back into your throat and obstruct your windpipe, causing apnea episodes. While it may be hard a first, as time passes, however, it will start to become second nature to sleep on your side.
Avoid sleeping pills when you find out you realize you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. The muscles in your airway may become too relaxed. Sleeping pills can actually really harm you and prevent any air from coming through your body, so stay away from them as much as possible.
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.
A good way to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea is by recording yourself when you sleep. You can do either an audio or video recording to catch your sleep patterns and sounds you generate when you are in a deep slumber. These recordings can be quite informative. Try doing them for several nights in a row to get a good range of information.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should avoid sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your back with sleep apnea can make it hard for you to sleep. Use pillows to prop you up and keep you sleeping on your side for the best results.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, ask your sleep partner to listen to your breathing while you sleep. See if they detect loud snoring as you get deeper into sleep. In addition, ask if they notice any periods when you appear to stop breathing for a time and then suddenly let out a loud snort and start breathing again. If you sleep alone, consider tape recording yourself to listen for these breathing abnormalities.
Having sleep apnea puts you at risk for developing diabetes. When you go into sleep apnea, the body is deprived of oxygen and must produce more adrenalin to compensate, which causes sugar levels to rise. If you already have diabetes, check your sugar levels at night. If you do not have diabetes, make sure you adopt a healthy diet to prevent this condition from developing.
Oftentimes a simple humidifier can help with the dryness and irritation caused by using a CPAP machine when treating your sleep apnea. With the constant airflow, many people suffer from dry skin and irritation from using the CPAP machine. A humidifier or special facial moisturizers can help to ease these symptoms.
If your physician prescribes a CPAP machine for treating your sleep apnea, ask for a heated humidifier and additional bacterial filters for your machine. The durable medical equipment supplier may not automatically provide these, but they will help to minimize bacterial growth and keep your nasal passages moist and comfortable.
Many people who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea sleep on their backs. If you are one of these people, try a different sleeping position to get some relief. It’s been proven that you can sleep more comfortably by sleeping on one side if you have sleep apnea.
After reading this article, you are prepared to face your bed once again. While you may continue suffering from apnea, you are now informed about what exactly apnea is and some of the best ways to reduce outbreaks of it. Remember to seek medical attention when you feel you have strong apnea.
Do You Want To Get Rid Of Sleep Apnea? was originally published on Spring