Many people do not know what they need to be on the look out for when it comes to sleep apnea. The signs of sleep apnea are fairly easy to pick up on once you have done a little research about it. Continue reading to learn what you need to know now.
Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes is bad for you for many different reasons. Smoking can also cause sleep apnea. It isn’t just bad for your lungs; it can also cause your upper airway to swell. This can make it difficult for you to get the breath that you need at night.
Drink less alcohol and smoke less if you suffer from sleep apnea. Alcoholic beverages cause the upper airway to become overly relaxed, and smoking causes swelling in your airway. So, cutting back or completely giving up both can improve your symptoms or even cure your sleep apnea problem completely.
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.
Sleep on your side, as it can help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. Your air passages are more likely to suffer obstruction when you sleep on your back. Do your best to fall asleep while on your side in an effort to reduce the symptoms of your apnea.
Try something else besides sleeping pills. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. Consult your physician to find out about possible ways to get to sleep to faster that won’t react poorly with your sleep apnea.
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.
If your nose seems stuffy, apply a nasal spray. You can experience a few nights of untroubled sleep using such a product. Do not use nasal spray over long periods of time: this could damage your nose and cause irritation. Many pharmacies have different over-the-counter options available to help keep your nasal passages open.
A good way to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea is by recording yourself when you sleep. You can do either an audio or video recording to catch your sleep patterns and sounds you generate when you are in a deep slumber. These recordings can be quite informative. Try doing them for several nights in a row to get a good range of information.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s very important for you to sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back at all costs, as this position does not allow enough air to get into your airways. To prevent yourself from sleeping on your back, put a tennis ball in the back of your pajamas.
Did you know there are exercises that you can do to reduce your sleep apnea? Throat exercises are a great way to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Try pressing the tongue against the floor of your mouth. Use a toothbrush to brush the tongues tops and sides. Repeat this exercise three times a day for five repetitions.
Once you understand how to pinpoint sleep apnea symptoms, you can then go about getting a proper diagnosis for yourself or a loved one. There is no need to continue living a life where you are tired each day despite a full night of sleep. Good luck and do something about it now!
