If you do not feel well rested when you wake up in the morning, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. One common disorder is sleep apnea. Those who suffer from this condition stop breathing when they sleep because their airways become blocked. Fortunately, there are ways of treating this condition.
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.
If you decide to try a CPAP machine, do not give up until at least a few weeks. A lot of sleep apnea patients give up before they really get a chance to get used to their machine. Wait until you are comfortable with sleeping while wearing a mask and you should really notice a difference.
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.
Get a mouth guard made especially for sleep. If you have a recessed chin, overbite or a small jaw, they way your jaw sits while you sleep may be causing the breathing problems while you sleep by narrowing your airways. A mouth guard can correct this and help you sleep better.
Try to sleep on a regular schedule if you have sleep apnea. Your sleep condition already disrupts your sleep cycle nightly. Getting treatment from a doctor is just one part of the solution. Making sure that you don’t disrupt your sleep on your own with a lax sleeping schedule is another part of the solution. You should go to bed at the same hour every single day.
Always bring your CPAP along whenever you travel. You should never sleep without using your CPAP machine. The machine you are using should have a travel bag that is padded. You should be able to use this to carry your CPAP machine with you no matter where you go.
Weight loss is an effective tactic in combating sleep apnea in many cases. People usually find that sleep apnea can be remedied by shedding those extra pounds. Loosing even a little weight can allow you to breathe more freely and get a good night’s sleep.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol. Alcoholic beverages will relax the muscles in your throat, which makes it more likely that they will block your airway during your sleep. At the very least, avoid any alcoholic beverages in the evening before you get ready for bed.
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.
You should adopt a healthy lifestyle and monitor your weight and blood pressure. Your doctor should be able to advise you on your diet and perhaps on a fitness program if you need to be more active. Living a healthy life should really help you reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.
If sleep apnea is causing your sleep problems, you need to seek out treatment right away so that your problems do not become worse. First, try using the tips that you have just read in this article. If they do not help, you should consult a physician to learn about other treatment options.
