Many people do not understand what sleep apnea is and how it can be treated and managed. Sleep apnea is much more than snoring, it is a serious medical affliction that can have a number of negative health consequences. This article contains information on sleep apnea and several tips on how to best treat it.
You may have success in treating your sleep apnea with a doctor-prescribed fitted mouth guard. If you have a narrow airway, recessed chin or small jaw, it is likely you have amplified sleep apnea effects. You can overcome these difficulties and experience much more restful sleep by using a custom-fitted device to keep your jaw and airway properly aligned.
If you decide to try a CPAP machine, do not give up until at least a few weeks. A lot of sleep apnea patients give up before they really get a chance to get used to their machine. Wait until you are comfortable with sleeping while wearing a mask and you should really notice a difference.
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.
Exercise your throat. Make faces. Stick out your tongue. Rotate your jaw. It might feel a bit silly, but it can actually help people who suffer from sleep apnea. Doing these things exercises the muscles your body needs to moderate its breathing. Studies have shown that doing these exercises a few times a day can make a huge difference.
Take the steps to find out if you actually have sleep apnea. Those who snore don’t necessarily have the disorder. If you have a sleeping partner, ask them questions about your actions during sleep. Do you stop breathing and gasp for air? That is a sure sign of sleep apnea.
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.
Try to avoid sleeping at high altitudes. High altitudes can worsen sleep apnea. The air in high altitudes is much thinner and, consequently, more difficult to breathe. Sleep apnea is already causing your body to take in less oxygen at night. A high altitude environment can only exacerbate your condition.
Try to prevent snoring with an over-the-counter device. Sleep apnea occurs when air passages are totally obstructed, but snoring is the result of majority closure where air still gets through what is left. For less severe forms of sleep apnea, consider finding some simple anti-snoring devices. Your sleep apnea can be curtailed some with the use of an anti-snoring aid.
Many people can reduce the severity of their sleep apnea symptoms by losing excess weight. Sleep apnea is common to those that have large necks or that are overweight. Pressure on the neck is reduced with weight loss, making breathing easier while sleeping.
As was discussed in the beginning of this article, many people do not understand sleep apnea and fail to respect just how serious a medical problem it is. If left untreated, the disorder will cause a number of health issues. Apply the tips from this article to successfully treat sleep apnea.
