Sleep deprivation causes many complications in life, and sleep apnea is a leading cause of sleep loss. If you suffer from this intrusive and frustrating condition, the following article may be of help. Read on for some great tips on alleviating symptoms and finally getting control of your sleep apnea.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, quitting could improve your symptoms. These habits can affect your airway, which makes sleep apnea and snoring more likely. As an added benefit, keep in mind that ditching these bad habits will put extra money back into your pocket, whereas extensive medical treatments will cost you a great deal.
Make sure that the mask you use on your CPAP machine fits properly. Often, people will stop using their CPAP because the mask does not fit right. If your mask is uncomfortable, try getting a different mask. There are many different masks available, so choose one that fits right and is comfortable to use.
If you decide to try a CPAP machine, do not give up until at least a few weeks. A lot of sleep apnea patients give up before they really get a chance to get used to their machine. Wait until you are comfortable with sleeping while wearing a mask and you should really notice a difference.
Sleep on your side, as it can help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. Sleeping on your back does not allow enough air to get into your airways. Give sleeping on your side a try, and see if your symptoms improve.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, make sure your significant other or your family is aware of your condition. In emergency situations, it is vital that whoever is with you can tell the physician treating you about your condition during any emergency medical care. You should make them aware of both the apnea diagnosis and your treatment.
To help you figure out if you suffer from sleep apnea, you may be asked by your doctor to keep a log of your sleeping. You will record when you sleep and when you awaken and anything else that happens during your sleeping hours. You can ask your spouse or a family member to let you know you how often you snore at night. This log will assist your doctor in diagnosing your condition.
Do you always sleep on your back? Try sleeping on your side instead. When you sleep on your back with a head propped on a pillow, your airways get narrower. Go to sleep on your side and use cushions to prevent yourself from rolling in your sleep. Your airways should remain open as long as you are on your side.
Make sure your CPAP comes with you when you need to go to the hospital. Your CPAP machine should be with you whether you’re admitted to the hospital or visiting the emergency room. Since the settings are already set to what you’re used to, and the mask that you use each night is there, it makes it much easier to use at the hospital. These things will make it much easier to continue your CPAP therapy while you are hospitalized.
The most important aspect of dealing with sleep apnea is understanding exactly what it is. Unlike simple snoring, it is when a sleeper stop’s breathing for a short period of time while he is sleeping. If your sleep partner tells you that sometimes you stop breathing, there is a good chance you have apnea.
Sleep apnea is a dangerous beast. Nobody needs to be going through life on little to no sleep, but the obstacles posed by sleep apnea can be really hard to overcome. Hopefully, you have found a few solutions to your sleep problems in this article and will finally be able to get the quality rest you are in need of.
