Millions of people around the world have trouble sleeping at night due to various sleep disorders. One of the most common is sleep apnea. This condition causes you to stop breathing during your sleep, causing snoring and excessive fatigue, as well as more dangerous side effects. This article can tell you what you should know about this condition.
Try playing a wind instrument. Playing the trumpet or a similar musical instrument should help you strengthen your throat and help you control your breathing. Your upper airways should become stronger and remain open throughout the night, which would make the symptoms of sleep apnea disappear or at least reduce them.
To help you deal with sleep apnea ask your doctor about how you can deal with it. You should take the size and potential to make noise into consideration. Certain CPAPs are tinier than bread boxes and are barely heard. Your doctor can help you pick a manufacturer for a good quality machine.
You should know that using a CPAP machine can cause certain side effects, including snoring, congestion, irritation or dryness in your mouth and airways. If this occurs, you should go to your doctor and make sure you are using your machine properly. Consider using a different mask or a different machine.
Consider putting yourself on a strict bedtime schedule and routine, if sleep apnea is keeping you from a good night’s sleep. Doing the same things at the same time may help condition your mind and body to better sleeping, and if you suffer from sleep apnea, you need all the help you can get!
Inform a friend or family member of your condition. Sleep apnea can be life threatening. It can also cause complications when combined with other conditions. Inform those around you of your sleep apnea. If the worst occurs, they will be able to pass this information along to a medical professional during an emergency.
If a person has sleep apnea and is overweight, they can often reduce their symptoms by losing some weight. Sleep apnea is linked to people who are overweight. Losing some weight can help improve the amount of air you can take in.
Use tongue and throat exercises as a way to combat sleep apnea. Try holding your tongue up toward the roof of your mouth for at least three minutes. Your tongue and throat muscles will become stronger by doing this, making it less likely that your airways are blocked as you sleep.
Try to slim down. Sleep apnea is exacerbated and sometimes even caused by obesity. Try losing enough weight to shift your BMI from obese to just overweight or even healthy. People who have lost weight have improved their sleep apnea symptoms, and some have even cured their sleep apnea completely.
The major signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, choking or gasping while sleeping, significant lapses in breathing, and daytime tiredness. Other common symptoms are morning headaches, restless sleep, irritability, waking with a sore throat or dry mouth and even having more frequent runs to the bathroom at night. If you exhibit these, then you should see your doctor promptly.
New apnea patients who are being fitted for CPAP equipment should insist on trying out several mask options. It is customary for the DME providers (Durable Medical Equipment) to show up at your door with a CPAP machine and a basic mask. Truth be told, there are many different styles of masks, and finding the best style for you dramatically improves your compliance with the CPAP therapy. Take the upper hand and insist that they show you a variety of masks, even if you have to go into their showroom. Like so many health issues, knowledge is the key. You will get better service and far more relief by knowing your options and speaking your mind.
Knowing that you have a problem is the first step to finding a solution. If you snore, have trouble sleeping, or feel tired all the time, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor right away if you are concerned about these problems, and they can help you find the treatment you need.
