It is important that the devastating impact sleep apnea can have on sufferers never be discounted. In fact, the acquisition of additional knowledge about the subject makes it clear how true that really is. By reading the tips and information below, you will have a better understanding of the seriousness of sleep apnea and how its symptoms can be effectively managed.
Are nicotine and alcohol a part of your life? Take steps to eliminate these unhealthy habits. These items can harm your airways. Smoking causes swelling in the airway. On the other hand, alcohol causes the airway to relax, much like sleeping pills. If you must continue with these habits, avoid doing them before bed.
Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes is bad for you for many different reasons. Smoking can also cause sleep apnea. It isn’t just bad for your lungs; it can also cause your upper airway to swell. This can make it difficult for you to get the breath that you need at night.
If you feel tired every day, you may have sleep apnea. Some of the common signs of sleep apnea include, chronic snoring, pauses in breathing, daytime sleepiness, and choking or gasping during sleep. If your partner notices that you have these symptoms while you are sleeping, you should go to a doctor for an assessment of your condition.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and you use a CPAP, carry your medical ID. Upon need for help and medical attention, your condition must be known. Medical cards are available to describe your condition, the treatment you use and the level of treatment required to control your sleep apnea.
If you are concerned your snoring may be sleep apnea, try keeping a sleep diary. You would keep a record of the hours you sleep, how many times you wake at night, and whether you feel refreshed the next day. Also, if you have a bedmate, ask them if your snoring is loud and frequent and if you exhibit any gasping or choking sounds.
Don’t give up on treatment for sleep apnea after one doesn’t work. There are a variety of treatments for your condition, so finding the right one is sometimes a process of trial and error. The number and severity of your symptoms influence what treatment is correct one for you. Giving multiple treatments a chance ensures you find the one that works the most effectively.
If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine to sleep at night, consider buying a marine battery as a backup power source. When you have sleep apnea, it is important that you use your CPAP any time you sleep. If your power should go out for any reason, you will still be able to use your CPAP at night using the battery hook up.
If you use a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, sleep with it every night. When you take the mask off at night, your symptoms will return. Sometimes they might disappear for one or two nights, but then return. Wearing the mask every night prevents episodes of sleep apnea from occurring.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, change your sleeping position to reduce the number of sleep apnea events. Sleep on your side instead of on your back to lessen the likelihood that the soft tissue in the back of the throat will collapse and block your air passages. Prop a pillow behind your back to help you stay on your side as you sleep.
There should be no argument regarding the potentially debilitating impact of sleep apnea on those afflicted by it. Widespread understanding of the condition and its effects is critical to combating the disruptions it can cause in the lives of many. Keeping the information above close at hand is a good way to do your part to promote awareness and find solutions to this very serious problem.
