Useful Advice For Those Who Suffer From Sleep Apnea
Useful Advice For Those Who Suffer From Sleep Apnea
Listen to all of your doctor's orders after you find out you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is fairly common. Although it needs to be taken seriously, it is treatable. The following paragraphs contain a good number of ideas you can use to manage sleep apnea, so keep reading.
If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, lose some weight. Being over-weight or obese can affect your breathing severely and can cause many health problems, including sleep apnea. Those individuals who lost at least twenty to twenty-five excess pounds saw a marked improvement in respiratory issues related to sleep apnea.
Stop your destructive ways. Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the primary culprits. Alcohol can put you into a very deep sleep and depress your respiration. Smoking introduces known carcinogens into your lungs and damages them over time. These are both habits which can make sleep apnea worse.
It may sound silly, but taking up a music instrument may improve your sleep apnea. When subjects in Germany were taught to play the didgeridoo, their sleep apnea symptoms were reduced. The researchers believe that practicing the instrument improved the tone of the muscles in the upper airway, which are responsible for airway dilation.
Getting a CPAP machine is probably the best option for your sleep apnea. These machines will keep your airways open and help you breathe. You should talk to your doctor about CPAP machines and figure out which model would be the most adapted. This machine should work if you use it properly.
Sleep Apnea patients using a CPAP machine may find that a humidifier is their best friend. The continuous passage of air from the machine can dry out sensitive nasal membranes, creating discomfort. A room humidifier, placed near the machine, often provides the humidification needed for comfortable sleep. If that isn't sufficient, machines with integrated humidification chambers are available and allow the patient to customize the amount of moisture they receive.
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.
You need to have a complete physical exam and give a thorough medical history in order to get a sleep apnea diagnosis. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea.
Hearing that you have sleep apnea is not easy. There is no reason to fret, as there are many treatment methods you can explore. Use the sleep apnea tips you went over in this article and use them to help you. If properly treated, your sleep apnea should not prevent you from leading a normal life.