Not only does sleep apnea disrupt your life, it can also get to the point where it poses life threatening health conditions. This is why sleep apnea sufferers need to try their best to prevent all types of symptoms from occurring. This article should help you control your sleep apnea.
When using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, you should learn as much as you can about it. How to use the machine and when to use it should be your top priority. There are 800 numbers from the manufacturers that you can call if you have any questions about its use.
Get a CPAP mask that fits your face perfectly. If the mask that comes with your CPAP machine is too narrow or too loose, you will probably experience discomfort when you sleep and the machine might not work properly. Get a customized mask if you need to: the expense will be worth it.
Consider elevating the head of your bed if you suffer from sleep apnea. As you sleep, gravity is constantly pulling on your muscles and causing your airway to close. If you elevate the head of your bed a bit, the slight incline makes it easier for your body to maintain your airway when you are sleeping.
Lose the extra weight. Research has shown that losing weight can dramatically improve your sleep apnea symptoms. Losing a few pounds can reduce the amount of pressure on your neck as you sleep, a primary cause of sleep apnea. Some people were even able to completely cure their apnea using this method.
Start sleeping on your side. When you sleep on your back and have sleep apnea, your airway gets block by your tongue and throat tissues. To avoid rolling onto your back once you are asleep, try sleeping with pillows cushioning your side. This helps prevent you from turning onto your back.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, do not take pills. One of the effects of sleeping pills is that they constrict your throat, which only exacerbates sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea it can be life threatening to take sleeping pills.
Take the steps to find out if you actually have sleep apnea. Those who snore don’t necessarily have the disorder. If you have a sleeping partner, ask them questions about your actions during sleep. Do you stop breathing and gasp for air? That is a sure sign of sleep apnea.
If your sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, make certain that a medical ID is always with you. If you are in need of medical attention, it is important that the people helping you realize you have sleep apnea and use CPAP therapy. The ID must say that you have apnea, use a CPAP machine, and specify what pressure the machine is set at.
Most people who have sleep apnea know how disruptive it can be. Both you and your loved ones are affected by this sleep disorder. Sleep is interrupted, you are uncomfortable and your health and life are at risk. Use what you’ve learned here to come up with a treatment plan that will get rid of your sleep apnea for good.
