If you suspect that you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s imperative that you step up to find out if you have it and get treatment started if you do. Going through your day without enough sleep can be harmful and even fatal. Keep the advice here in mind so that you can remain healthy and live the live you deserve.
To decrease your risk of sleep apnea symptoms, lose some weight. Some people are able to almost completely eliminate their sleep apnea with weight loss. Losing even just five pounds can make your sleep apnea symptoms go away.
Side sleep to get rest, even when you suffer from sleep apnea. If you sleep on your back, your throat muscles can block your throat, which interferes with breathing. Use pillows to prop yourself up on your side. This way you don’t accidentally roll on your back while you’re asleep.
Remember that you aren’t always going to notice your apnea at night. If you happen to feel sleepy, tired and exhausted all the time, then it’s best that you consult with a doctor. These symptoms are indicative of sleep apnea, even when you do not know how many times you wake up at night gasping for air.
Some people have great luck with stopping their snoring by using an anti-snoring device they wear in their mouth while sleeping. When the airway is closed but still allows a little air through, that’s when snoring is most probable; in sleep apnea, the airways are almost fully closed. It makes sense to have a device that will help both. If you have a machine to help with snoring it can help with apnea.
Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse. Try sleeping on your side or your stomach to decrease the condition. Sew a tennis ball into the back of your sleeping attire so that it will remind you during your sleep to stay on your side or stomach. Or, if your bed is adjustable, raise it about four inches at one end.
If you wear a mouth piece, you can get better sleep. A fitted mouth guard can align a person’s jaw to reduce sleep apnea. A little overbite or jaw displacement might make it harder for you to breathe.
When you suffer from sleep apnea, do not sleep on your back. Sleeping on your back can restrict your airways, making symptoms worsen. Gravity will not pull on your throat muscles and close them up as easily if you turn on your side instead.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, some studies show that doing throat exercises may reduce the severity of it. By building up the muscles that surround the airway, such exercises can reduce the likelihood of muscular relaxation and airway constriction during sleep. One way is by pressing your tongue firmly to the top of your mouth, and hold it for several minutes. Do this once a day.
You may be intimidated by surgery if your doctor recommends it. Research all options and any side effects that you could get following surgery. The removal of one’s tonsils is a common procedure if it is determined that the sleep apnea you are suffering from is caused by this.
Sleep is essential, so it is important to take serious steps to regain good sleep. Keep these tips in mind tonight when you are going to bed and you might find the treatment that is right for you.