This article can help people who are suffering from sleep apnea. It is true that untreated sleep apnea can lead to poor health, but these health consequences can be completely avoided with proper management. The tips and ideas provided in the following article will help sleep apnea patients better understand and address their condition.
Try losing a few pounds, if you suffer from chronic sleep apnea. Controlled studies have proven that people with this sleep disturbance benefit greatly after losing 20 or more pounds. Symptoms may even diminish completely, so you now have yet another reason to get your weight down to a healthier number!
Giving up smoking and drinking can help to improve your sleep apnea. Both habits cause the muscles of the airway to relax, which increases both snoring and sleep apnea. Avoiding these temptations can put more money back in your pocket, and is a lot more cost effective than expensive surgeries that may no longer be necessary.
Some people have problems using the CPAP machine to deal with their sleep apnea. The best advice is to stick with it. It is not a cure, but it does treat your sleep apnea. If you stop using it, you still have sleep apnea, so you need to keep using the machine regularly.
Did you know that sleep apnea is more than just snoring? Your breathing may actually stop, or it may become very shallow, and this could happen upwards of a hundred times or more each night. If you feel you may be suffering from this affliction, you should see a doctor and be properly diagnosed and discuss a treatment that works best for you.
Don’t underestimate the potential health consequences of sleep apnea. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, see your doctor right away. A specialist in sleep disorders can order the tests necessary to diagnose the condition.
Try sleeping on your side. A lot of people who suffer from sleep apnea are back sleepers. If you sleep on your back, you can cause your throat and mouth tissues to block the airways. You will breathe easier if you sleep on your side. If you usually sleep on your back, make a conscious effort to change your ways.
If you have tried a number of less drastic sleep apnea treatment options, you might want to consider discussing surgical treatment options for the condition with your primary care physician. Sleep apnea treatment surgery often involves increasing the diameter of your airway in an effort to reduce the number of apnea episodes that you experience.
Try using a nasal spray for an irritated nose. It may offer a couple nights of relief. However, you should not use these sprays for an extended period of time to avoid irritation. Always speak with your pharmacist to make sure you choose the product that is right for you.
Did you know there are exercises that you can do to reduce your sleep apnea? Throat exercises are a great way to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Try pressing the tongue against the floor of your mouth. Use a toothbrush to brush the tongues tops and sides. Repeat this exercise three times a day for five repetitions.
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.
Sleep apnea can pose a number of problems to your health. It is essential to do your research when you have sleep apnea. Learning about the causes, symptoms and treatments for sleep apnea can help your and your doctor find the right therapy for you specific condition.
