It is impossible to overstate the potentially negative impact sleep apnea can have on your life. In order to properly manage this condition and reclaim a normal sleep cycle, it is necessary to spend some time gaining knowledge of the topic. By digesting the information that follows, it is possible to do just that.
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 have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, join a CPAP support group. It can be quite difficult to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face every night. Sitting in a room full of other people going through the same thing can be very empowering. You can learn from others who have had the same issues you are having and made adjustments to make it work.
Drink less alcohol and smoke less if you suffer from sleep apnea. Alcoholic beverages cause the upper airway to become overly relaxed, and smoking causes swelling in your airway. So, cutting back or completely giving up both can improve your symptoms or even cure your sleep apnea problem completely.
Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a “stuffed up” nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst.
You need to have a complete physical exam and give a thorough medical history in order to get a sleep apnea diagnosis. Sleep studies may be suggested and your doctor might refer you over to a type of sleep specialist that can diagnose and treat your symptoms.
Try to slim down. Sleep apnea is exacerbated and sometimes even caused by obesity. Try losing enough weight to shift your BMI from obese to just overweight or even healthy. People who have lost weight have improved their sleep apnea symptoms, and some have even cured their sleep apnea completely.
For those individuals that suffer from sleep apnea, sometimes the position that you sleep in can make a difference. Try sleeping on your side. Many times when people sleep on their backs, their tongues can block the airways making it harder to breath, and causing sleep apnea symptoms to appear.
If you have sleep apnea and have been using your current CPAP machine for five years or more, see if it is time to get it replaced. CPAP technology is rapidly changing all the time. Many insurance policies allow for a new CPAP machine every five years. If yours does, consider upgrading to the newest CPAP so you can get the best treatment possible.
Make sure that your airways are open while you sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea. You can do this by using some nasal strips, a saline nose spray, or a netipot. This will allow you not to struggle so much with your breathing and the better your breathing is, the least symptoms you will experience.
Smoking is another thing which makes the problem of sleep apnea worse. It actually irritates the nasal passages and makes them swell. This in turn causes the airways to be partially blocked, making breathing on auto pilot while you are asleep more difficult. Cutting smoking out entirely is ideal, but even reducing the amount you smoke may help.
Prop up your upper body while you sleep. If you have an adjustable bed, raise the head of the bed about four to six inches. If you have a standard bed, purchase a body or a special cervical pillow to keep your upper body raised while you are sleeping.
Don’t drink too close to bedtime if you are a sleep apnea sufferer. Consuming alcoholic beverages will only increase your symptoms because it will cause your throat muscles to descend closer to your esophagus. You don’t have to stop drinking, you just shouldn’t have any alcohol before bed.
If you have tried everything else and talked to a medical professional, then it is time to consider more permanent solutions for your apnea. There are some breathing devices that a medical professional can recommend for you. Although it may be annoying to lug the machine around, it is better than the alternative.
Sleep apnea has long been wreaking havoc on the lives of millions of afflicted individuals. The right way to get a handle on the situation is to research the subject as much as possible. Utilize the advice in the piece above, and you will be off to a very effective start.
Diagnosed With Sleep Apnea? Check Out These Tips For Good Health! was originally published on Spring