Even though millions of people are diagnosed with sleep apnea every year, it is a disease that is not often discussed. Many people do not even know what sleep apnea is. If you have recently been diagnosed with the disorder, it is critical that you educate yourself on what it is all about. This article is filled with health care tips related to sleep apnea.
Try losing a few pounds, if you suffer from chronic sleep apnea. Controlled studies have proven that people with this sleep disturbance benefit greatly after losing 20 or more pounds. Symptoms may even diminish completely, so you now have yet another reason to get your weight down to a healthier number!
Consult with your physician about corrective devices to address your sleep apnea. If you have a narrow airway, recessed chin or small jaw, it is likely you have amplified sleep apnea effects. You can get a mouthpiece to help you when you are sleeping to get better night’s sleep.
Do not take sleeping pills if you suffer from sleep apnea. These pills are not recommended if you suffer from this condition because they relax the muscles of your throat. Skipping them can actually help you get a better night of sleep because your apnea symptoms are not aggravated.
Everyone who snores does not have sleep apnea. Conversely, everyone who has sleep apnea does not necessarily snore either. How do you know the difference? The biggest signs are how you feel during the course of a normal day. Snoring does not interfere with the sleep quality the same way that sleep apnea does. With snoring you are less likely to suffer from fatigue during the day.
Consider any alternative you can find to using sleeping pills. Similar to alcohol, sleeping pills will relax your throat and airways to an undesirable extent. Taking sleeping pills can have a negative impact on other health conditions that those with sleep apnea may experience. Consult your physician to find out about possible ways to get to sleep to faster that won’t react poorly with your sleep apnea.
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.
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 you have to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, you may find it hard to get used to at first. It is important that you do not quit using the machine, though. Focus on the benefits of the machine rather than the inconvenience. It will make life safer for yourself and others. Daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnea is a major risk factor for car accidents, for instance.
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.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that is not talked about enough. It afflicts millions of people and can have serious, and even deadly, health consequences. The health care tips and strategies outlined in this article have educated you on some of the best ways that you can treat sleep apnea and lead a healthy, fulfilling life in spite of the disorder.
