Learning that you might have sleep apnea is a bit unnerving. Millions of people around the world have it, though, so it isn’t uncommon. Sleep apnea can be treated easily in a number of ways. This article is loaded with sleep apnea health care tips, so read on to learn more.
Give up some of your vices to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Two of the most common offenders are drinking and smoking. You can have severe breathing problems if you are a heavy drinker as it depresses your respiratory system. Cigarettes inject carcinogens into your respiratory system. Dropping both these habits entirely will help ease the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Talk to a physician about the right CPAP machine for you. The loudness and size of any machine should be considered. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. A medical professional will be the most knowledgeable guide to the different CPAP machines available.
Quitting smoking and drinking can relieve sleep apnea symptoms. Snoring and apnea are common occurrences for those with these habits because they relax the muscles in the airway. Quitting these habits may help you avoid costly and invasive surgery in the future. In fact, there are many habits that you can get out of in order to improve your sleep quality.
Moderate your alcohol intake. When drinking alcoholic beverages, it will relax your muscles. Although you may think this improves your sleep, it actually just worsens it. Your throat muscles relax too much from alcohol, which means trouble of your body to manage breathing. If you have to have a drink, do it well before bedtime.
To help alleviate this condition, you should sleep on your side. It’s not uncommon for many with sleep apnea to sleep while laying on their back. Your airway can get blocked if you sleep on your back. Sleeping on one’s side is a better option. If you usually sleep on your back, make a conscious effort to change your ways.
The two main pieces of information used to diagnose sleep apnea are personal medical histories and a physical work-up. Also, there may be a sleep study performed and even a sleep specialist recommended if the doctor treating you feels that your condition is severe enough to get it looked at further.
Take your CPAP device with you when you are going to the hospital. Be it an intended or emergency room stay, you must always have access to your CPAP and the mask when you suffer from sleep apnea. The machine is pre-set to your specifications and you have the benefit of wearing the mask you are already familiar with. Even if you are hospitalized, you can seamlessly continue using your CPAP in this manner.
If nothing is working to better your sleep apnea, try talking to a doctor about more aggressive treatments. Not everyone responds to the standard treatment for sleep apnea, and some may need to do something a little more drastic, including surgical techniques.
Stop smoking cigarettes if you have sleep apnea. Smoking causes the upper air passages to swell up, which causes sleep apnea to be more debilitating. Second-hand smoke is just as damaging to the respiratory system as first-hand smoke. Many people find the first month to be the hardest. Then you get less cravings as more and more nicotine leaves the body.
A CPAP machine can assist you in sleeping if you do have sleep apnea. The humid, warm air enables CPAP users to have a much easier time getting restful sleep. Many CPAP machines come with built-in humidifiers now, so see if your doctor can prescribe one of those for you.
Be proactive in finding the right sleep apnea treatment. Sleep apnea can be potentially dangerous if it left untreated. Do not wait for your snoring and inability to remain asleep to get worse: if you think you might have sleep apnea, go to your doctor.
If you believe you’ve got sleep apnea, try seeing your doctor and getting a sleep test. They will test you and make a determination whether or not you are suffering from sleep apnea. After that, you will need to know how to treat the condition, even when suffering with a mild case.
Become a part of a support group. Sleep apnea does not happen to a lot of people. You may not know anyone who is suffering with sleep apnea, but there are many others out there. Locate a support group focused on sleep apnea. There are a lot of online forums and places where you can get support.
Make sure you are compliant with your treatments. It may not seem to be a big deal to not follow your treatment for a night or more, but you will be able to feel a big difference in how alert you feel. Follow the instructions given by your doctor to the letter. This will keep you sleeping better and more rested.
Have a discussion with your sleep partner about how your apnea affects them. They might have some sleeping trouble, too, caused by your apnea. Your spouse will definitely be relieved to get a good night’s sleep once your apnea condition is treated.
Check out a specialist. Your regular doctor can help come up with solutions to sleep apnea, but seeing a specialist who deals with sleep apnea can recommend the best possible treatment for it. The specialist will be so much more helpful. You can learn your options through them, and figure out different treatment options.
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, your first stop should be your doctor’s office. This disease can not only make your life miserable, but it can in some cases endanger your life. If you suspect sleep apnea is a condition you might be suffering with, don’t hesitate to take your concerns to a medical professional.
It can be shocking to get a sleep apnea diagnosis. What’s great is that there is a lot you can do to deal with the disorder. Start using the treatment tips from this article to help yourself right away. If you get the correct treatment, your life will be healthy and more fulfilling even with your condition.
