Either type of sleep apnea, obstructive or central, can be a real nightmare! If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you have your work cut out for you in terms of finding appropriate remedy. Start by checking out the tips in the following article and hopefully you will find a way to a better night’s sleep.
Ask your doctor for advice about what CPAP machine you should get. You should consider the size and volume of the device before you decide to get one. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. Your doctor will be familiar with them, so be sure to tap his knowledge.
If sleep apnea is an issue for you, and you are a smoker or drinker of alcohol, consider quitting to help with your symptoms. Both of these habits have a negative effect on the muscles in your airway. Quitting these habits may help you avoid costly and invasive surgery in the future.
For people who are using a CPAP machine, you need to take notes to give to your doctor. If you experience any symptoms, like snoring, that were eliminated when you started using the CPAP machine and they come back, you need to let your doctor know. Only your doctor can properly assess any problems.
Alleviate you sleep apnea by loosing weight. Many studies have demonstrated that sleep apnea can be significantly improved or even eliminated when patients slim down. You can go to the gym, join exercise classes or just get out and walk. Taking off the extra pounds will help you sleep more soundly.
You should know that getting a CPAP machine is not going to make your symptoms go away for good. These machines will help you sleep better and perhaps reduce your symptoms on the long term. Keep in mind that you really need to use your machine every night for this treatment to work.
Understand the effects that smoking and drinking alcohol have on sleep apnea, if you are trying to get a grip on your quality of sleep. Smoking enlarges airways, while alcohol can relax them too much, both of which will contribute to the symptoms of sleep apnea severely. Consider making the necessary cut-backs that will cut down on your sleep problems.
Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a “stuffed up” nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst.
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 avoid sleeping pills when you’re suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep medicines often contain relaxants which only make your airway more likely to collapse. The medication can be very dangerous, even fatal, if you suffer from sleep apnea.
If you are flying on a plane and it’s going to be a long trip, you need to speak with the airline ahead of time to make arrangements to use the CPAP machine. Many airlines will help you find a seat in a location where you have the space to use your CPAP machine. If you happen to be flying overseas on a foreign airline, make sure you have the right power adapter.
Getting the news that you have sleep apnea may give you some relief because you finally know why you can’t get a decent eight hours in, but it poses a challenge to find helpful ways to cure it. Hopefully this article has given you some of the answers you are in need of, along with a few ways to finally get a good night’s rest.
