Receiving a sleep apnea diagnosis from your physician is not something that anyone looks forward to. Remember though that this affliction is pretty frequent, and while potentially severe in effect, you can in fact manage it with success. Use the information below to help you better understand and manage this disorder.
Try playing a wind instrument. Playing the trumpet or a similar musical instrument should help you strengthen your throat and help you control your breathing. Your upper airways should become stronger and remain open throughout the night, which would make the symptoms of sleep apnea disappear or at least reduce them.
Make sure that the mask you use on your CPAP machine fits properly. Often, people will stop using their CPAP because the mask does not fit right. If your mask is uncomfortable, try getting a different mask. There are many different masks available, so choose one that fits right and is comfortable to use.
Sleep apnea is very serious. If you think you may have it, talk to a doctor immediately. After the diagnosis, you may be asked to take a sleep test, either at home or at a facility that specializes in sleep disorder testing.
If you do not have a partner to let you know how you sleep at night, it can be difficult to assess if you have sleep apnea. You can always set up a camcorder to make a video of a typical night’s sleep. Remember to make a video with sound so your doctor can hear you snore!
If nasal dryness or congestion is an issue, try a nasal spray. Using nasal spray a couple of nights in a row should help you sleep. Nasal sprays with medications should not be used for many days in a row, however, because they can damage the nose. Ask your pharmacist what other options you can try to keep your nasal passages clear.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should avoid sleeping on your back. Most people who have sleep apnea are back sleepers, which means that their airways constrict easier. Wedge a pillow in place to keep your body resting on your side while sleeping.
You should adopt a healthy lifestyle and monitor your weight and blood pressure. Your doctor should be able to advise you on your diet and perhaps on a fitness program if you need to be more active. Living a healthy life should really help you reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.
The first thing you should do if you discover you have sleep apnea is take a long look at your weight. If you are overweight that can be increasing the problem. That means you need to take some time to learn about weight loss and exercise. Not only will your sleep improve, but your whole life will.
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.
Relieve you sleep apnea symptoms by keeping your nasal passages clear. A good nasal spray can keep you breathing freely and lessen the occurrences of sleep apnea. Using a neti pot to clear sinuses before bedtime can keep you breathing freely all night long. Both nasal spray and neti pots are available at any drug store.
One quick tip for trying to get a better night’s sleep is to sleep only on your side and not on your back. If you sleep with someone else, ask them to gently roll you over any time they see you on your back. This can help to keep your airflow more controlled.
One way to determine whether or not you may have sleep apnea is to have your partner report what they see, hear and feel during the night. While you might not notice yourself waking up, your partner may hear you snoring, tossing and turning, or gasping in the wee hours.
If you do not have a partner who can relay how your breathing is during the night, try recording yourself. Set up a camcorder and play it back in the morning. Then you can see if you stop breathing for long periods of time or snore excessively. Make sure you have enough light for the camera. Modern cameras will record well in low light, but you do need some.
Hearing that you have sleep apnea is not easy. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments available for this serious condition. Use the sleep apnea tips you went over in this article and use them to help you. Proper treatment can preserve your health, even with sleep apnea.
Easy Steps On Going About Dealing With Sleep Apnea was originally published on Spring