The exasperation and heartbreak sleep apnea can cause in the lives of sufferers and their family members cannot be overestimated. For this reason, it is crucial for those affected by this condition to gain as much information as possible. The collection of tips and guidance that follows below is a great place to start.
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.
Giving up smoking and drinking can help to improve your sleep apnea. Both of these bad habits can cause the airway muscles to relax, which makes you snore and adds to the symptoms of sleep apnea. Remember that surgery and medications are expensive. Correcting bad habits is free.
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.
Try using a mouth guard that’s custom-fitted for you. Sleep apnea patients can have mouth guards that are custom made specifically to treat their condition. This can be an alternative to a CPAP machine, and can be more comfortable, to boot. It will provide stability and help your airway to remain open.
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.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Getting buzzed or drunk causes your airways to relax too much. If someone goes to sleep in a drunk state, you can hear the effects from their deep snoring. In someone who already suffers from sleep apnea, it can be very dangerous. Avoid alcoholic drinks to sleep safer.
If you are a smoker and suffer from sleep apnea, quit, or at the very least, cut back dramatically. Smoking is dangerous for those who suffer from sleep apnea because it causes swelling to the airways, not to mention all the tar it leaves behind in your lungs and airways.
Being overweight is a common cause of sleep apnea. If you suffer from this condition, losing weight can help you find relief. Talk to your doctor to find some safe and effective ways of dropping a few pounds. Doing so will also benefit you in many other ways as well.
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.
Lower risk factors for sleep apnea. Some things you can’t help, of course. On the other hand, you can influence risk factors like your weight, smoking and drinking.
The impact of sleep apnea on sufferers and their loved ones is unquestionably quite serious. To truly get a handle on the situation and find viable solutions, solid information is a necessity. By reviewing the information in the preceding piece, you are well on your way to possessing a thorough understanding of the causes and potential treatments for sleep apnea.
