Sleep gives back to us what we wipe out during the day: energy! If sleep apnea is interfering in your ability to recoup every night, take action by educating yourself. Begin by reading the following tips that can have you back in control of the zzz’s in no time at all!
Sleep apnea can be connected to your weight. If you are overweight, consider going on a diet to lose a few pounds. Studies have shown that overweight people who suffer from sleep apnea were able to improve their symptoms by losing about 25 pounds in a year: give it a try!
When using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, you should learn as much as you can about it. How to use the machine and when to use it should be your top priority. There are 800 numbers from the manufacturers that you can call if you have any questions about its use.
There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, central, and complexes are all forms of sleep apnea. You need to go to the doctor and have a professional assess which type of sleep apnea you have, so they can offer the best treatment and advice for your specific condition.
Avoid using sleeping pills and do not be tempted to consume alcohol before bedtime. Both sleeping pills and alcohol are sedatives, which can interfere with your breathing, as they cause your throat muscles to relax. You should also avoid other types of sedatives, including some prescription painkillers and many street drugs.
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 are using a CPAP machine but having trouble keeping your mouth closed, you should consider using a chin strap. The chin strap holds your chin so that you cannot sleep with your mouth open; it is a tiny piece of fabric. If your mouth falls open when you sleep, your CPAP therapy won’t be effective. Use this device to try and solve the problem.
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.
People who use alcohol, sedatives, and sleeping pills are far more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. This is because these drugs will relax the throat and cause their breathing to be impaired. Using these drugs before bedtime is more likely to cause sleep apnea than using these drugs during the day.
Try using a device made to eliminate snoring. While apnea involves complete blockage of the airways, snoring is similar in that partial airway obstruction is what causes it. This is why it makes perfect sense as to why this might work for you. Your sleep apnea can be curtailed some with the use of an anti-snoring aid.
Anyone who suffers from sleep apnea should avoid using sleeping pills. It can be tempting to try to use them to help you sleep better, but these pills can relax your throat muscles and make your sleep apnea worse. They also have a number of other side effects that can be unpleasant.
Facing the morning with little to no sleep is brutal, much less the entire day ahead of you! Don’t let sleep apnea rob you of vital rest any longer; put the tips from this article to work for you tonight and start getting the high-quality sleep your body and life demand.
