If you or a loved one have experience the agony sleep apnea can cause, you are likely interested in management tips that actually work. The good news is that there are many ways to approach this difficult condition that actually can make a difference. Review the advice below to start getting a handle on the situation.
One way to improve your sleep apnea is to shed excess weight that you are carrying. Being overweight or obese places pressure on your neck, which can compress your windpipe as you sleep. Losing just 25 pounds can make a difference in your symptoms, and losing enough weight can eliminate the disorder altogether.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, work hard to get in the habit of using it every time you sleep. While it can be a struggle to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face, your health and your life depend on it. Work with your sleep center to get everything adjusted just right so that you can use CPAP therapy with a minimal amount of discomfort.
Everyone who snores does not have sleep apnea. Conversely, everyone who has sleep apnea does not necessarily snore either. How do you know the difference? The biggest signs are how you feel during the course of a normal day. Snoring does not interfere with the sleep quality the same way that sleep apnea does. With snoring you are less likely to suffer from fatigue during the day.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and you use a CPAP, carry your medical ID. If you need medical attention, it’s vital that the people treating you know about your condition and that you use a CPAP machine. This ID should say that you have apnea, that you use CPAP, and that your machine has to be set at a certain pressure level.
Make sure your CPAP comes with you when you need to go to the hospital. If you are scheduled for hospitalization or if you go to emergency, you should make available your CPAP machine and mask. This is because it is already customized to the pressure you need, and the mask won’t be awkward. Having your own machine will make using a CPAP while in the hospital much easier.
If you think that you may have sleep apnea, set up a video of yourself as you sleep. Just be sure that the video recorder has sound capability. When you wake up, look at the video, and if it seems like something other than snoring is going on, it may be time to go to the doctor.
If you are searching for ways to prevent sleep apnea, try sleeping on your side as back sleeping lets gravity take over. This causes your tongue and other soft tissues in your throat to drop, which could obstruct your airway. Try putting a tennis ball in the neck of your pajamas to discourage rolling onto your back. You could even stuff a pillow with tennis balls and wedge that behind your back.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s very important for you to sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back at all costs, as this position does not allow enough air to get into your airways. To prevent yourself from sleeping on your back, put a tennis ball in the back of your pajamas.
Sleep apnea has caused problems in the lives of countless individuals and their families. In order to minimize the impact this condition has on your daily experience, knowledge is essential. Review the concepts in this piece as often as necessary to employ effective strategies that really can improve your life and your ability to get the rest you need.
