Sleep apnea is an important thing to know about, so inform as many people about it as possible. Do not ignore the problem of sleep apnea, and do not let your significant other neglect it on your behalf! Keep reading if you want to learn more.
Getting a CPAP machine is probably the best option for your sleep apnea. These machines will keep your airways open and help you breathe. You should talk to your doctor about CPAP machines and figure out which model would be the most adapted. This machine should work if you use it properly.
Adjust your CPAP machine. Most machines come with default settings that might not correspond to your needs. You should be able to regulate the airflow: try different settings and choose one that seems to work for you. If you feel like your machine is not working like it should, try changing the settings again.
Consider elevating the head of your bed if you suffer from sleep apnea. As you sleep, gravity is constantly pulling on your muscles and causing your airway to close. If you elevate the head of your bed a bit, the slight incline makes it easier for your body to maintain your airway when you are sleeping.
It is best to have your sleep apnea diagnosed and treated by a doctor. If left untreated, you won’t be getting the needed rest you need, which will leave you feeling tired and unable to concentrate the next day, and may even lead to serious health problems down the road.
Make a sleep schedule and keep to it. By sleeping at regular intervals and times, your body gets used to a pattern and takes advantage of it. If you are not getting quality sleep on a regular basis, your sleep apnea may worsen. Make sure to go to bed at a similar time every day and try to sleep a fixed amount of hours.
A great way to ensure that you do not sleep on your back and cause sleep apnea to occur is to use a tennis ball to prevent rolling onto your back. You can place one in a pillow behind your back and when you roll over in your sleep, the tennis ball will make you roll back on your side.
Try losing weight to deal with your sleep apnea. If a person has a neck circumference of 17 inches or more, they are more likely to develop sleep apnea. Losing the excess weight can greatly lower the pressure it puts on your airways and helps to get air flowing freely so you can breathe much better at night.
Consulting your GP is a necessary step in getting a diagnosis of sleep apnea, but self-help options are available. If you lose weight and stop smoking, these are good decisions, especially if sleep apnea is a problem for you. If it is within a few hours of bedtime, stay away from caffeine, alcohol or a heavy meal.
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.
The preceding paragraphs were full of useful information, both for yourself and to share with others. If you believe you can ignore sleep apnea, you are very wrong. Share copies of this article with other people so they can get help if they have symptoms of sleep apnea.
