Category - Relationships & Sleep

It may seem like a silly question to answer, what position should I sleep in if I have sleep apnea. The human body is designed to sleep in the position that allows for the most ease of movement while sleeping. Typically our body is meant to curve in a very unique and interesting position while sleeping, in order to ensure that the entire length of our body is in one place. Unfortunately there are some people whose bodies just do not move properly while they sleep. Their only option is to sleep in awkward positions. There are a few different sleep positions that are favored by people who have sleep apnea, and it all starts with your stomach. When you sleep your body isn't positioned correctly, your head and/or neck are not aligned with your spine, and this results in muscle tension throughout the night. One of the ways that this tension is relieved is by having the stomach lying flat against the side of your hips. This position makes it much easier for the muscles in the stomach to relax. In order to sleep in this stomach position for sleep apnea, you should sleep on your side with a pillow under your knees, your upper arms extended above your head. Another position that is recommended for people with sleep apnea is lying on your side with a pillow underneath both of your knees. This will help with both your breathing and your weight distribution. Just making these a part of your sleeping position for back pain is going to make a world of difference in your life. The next time you go to sleep at night, instead of reaching over toward the side of your bed to sleep on your back, try to figure out what position should I sleep in so that I can stop snoring.

what position should I sleep in

Things That You Need To Know When Dealing With Sleep Apnea Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? You no doubt have a lot of questions and concerns relating to your condition. There are lots of helpful tips you can use to make your adjustment much easier. This article will give you some steps to take to help you deal with you sleep disorder. While people who are thin can have sleep apnea for various reasons, one common reason many people have it is being overweight. In this case, a person suffering from sleep apnea needs to lose this excess weight. Try changing your diet and ramp up your activity level. Some studies have also shown that limiting your carbohydrate intake can help. Check if a corrective device can help alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. Having an overbite, an undersized jaw or a recessed chin can cause your airway to be more narrow because of how your jawbone is set. These devices help create proper alignment of your jaw while you sleep, opening up your airway more. As a result, you experience fewer sleep apnea symptoms. Do not take sleeping pills if you suffer from sleep apnea. These pills are not recommended if you suffer from this condition because they relax the muscles of your throat. Skipping them can actually help you get a better night of sleep because your apnea symptoms are not aggravated. 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. Do not let sleep apnea ruin your relationship. If your partner has difficulties sleeping next to you because of your snoring or other symptoms linked to sleep apnea, communicate about the problem. be understanding and consider sleeping apart or getting a CPAP machine to reduce your snoring and other symptoms. When dealing with sleep apnea it is best to keep a regular sleeping schedule. Sleep apnea already disrupts your rest more than it should. Any steps you take to improve your overall sleep habits will help deal with the symptoms of your condition and minimize the impact it has. The key is to have a set time for going to bed, and rising as well. You can wear a chin strap with your CPAP if you have problems with your mouth falling open as you sleep. A chin strap is a strap on fabric that can hold your mouth closed. Try out CPAP therapy for your mouth. Being overweight is a common cause of sleep apnea. If you suffer from this condition, losing weight can help you find relief. Talk to your doctor to find some safe and effective ways of dropping a few pounds. Doing so will also benefit you in many other ways as well. Do not take pain medications such as morphine. This medication can lower your oxygen level and make your symptoms even worst. If you take a high dose of morphine, your life could be in danger. If you go to the hospital and are given a pain medication, let the doctors know you have sleep apnea. If you have difficulties sleeping because of your sleep apnea, you should avoid driving or operating dangerous machines. If you do not get a good night of sleep, take public transportation instead of driving to prevent accidents and do not take a job in a factory or on a construction site. If you are a trucker who has sleep apnea, take precautions to stay safe on the road. First of all, get yourself properly diagnosed and treated. If your doctor prescribes a CPAP, use it. They are small and easily portable and can run on battery power if necessary. Try to stay fit and get regular sleep to keep your condition under control. Finding out you have sleep apnea can be a shock, but you can quickly learn to deal with your condition. You are not alone, and you can learn from others who have come before you. The tried and true tips shared in this article can get you on your way to a good night's sleep.

The Best Sleep Position To Stop Snoring

Do you know that getting the best sleep position for your heart is very important? Did you know that the healthiest position to sleep in can actually be a bad thing when it comes to your heart health? There are many people who are so used to sleeping on their side that they do not realize what they may be losing. It is important to get your body in a better sleeping position for your heart to get optimal health benefits. It has been proven that if you sleep on your stomach with your heart will beat at a faster speed, you will also gain weight and in the long run you will have a heart failure. So, what is the best sleep position for your heart? Well the best sleep position for your heart would be to sleep on your back. Now I know that some people might be against this because of their stomach being on their back. But if you sleep in the right way then it can actually be beneficial to your health. When you sleep on your back the muscle on your diaphragm will relax, this will allow blood to flow more freely to your heart and lower your blood pressure. This can help to improve your overall health. So is it possible to achieve a better sleep position for your heart? Of course it is. All you need to do is follow a few simple guidelines to help your body to sleep in the best possible way. The better sleep position for your heart is all about proper positioning of your body during the entire night.

Sleep Position for Back Pain

Sleep Apnea Advice Straight From The Experts Living without proper sleep is debilitating for anyone, but when you have sleep apnea, it makes it almost impossible to get a good night's sleep. This article will provide you with sleep apnea advice to help you get a better night's sleep. Sleep on your side if you want to avoid sleep apnea. When you sleep on your back, the airways get obstructed due to the throat and nasal passages being more prone to obstruction. Make it a habit of falling asleep on your side, which hopefully does alleviate some of these sleep apnea symptoms. Always get enough sleep. When you fail to get a decent amount of sleep on a regular basis or fail to follow a normal sleeping pattern. Insomnia and sleep apnea go hand in hand. So, when you can successfully sleep regularly, your symptoms are less pronounced because you are well rested. If you sleep alone, you may have sleep apnea and not know it. Record yourself to get a better picture of what is happening while you sleep. Your video needs to have audio as well because the doctors will want to hear any noises you make. You can wear a chin strap with your CPAP if you have problems with your mouth falling open as you sleep. This strap is a small strip of material that holds up your chin while you sleep, thus keeping your mouth closed. The CPAP only works if the mouth is closed, so try using the strap. For people who smoke, the best way to correct a sleep apnea condition is to quit smoking. Smoking is one of the biggest causes of sleep apnea. When people stop smoking their risk of sleep apnea is reduced and they can get a full night sleep within days of quitting. Being overweight is a common cause of sleep apnea. If you suffer from this condition, losing weight can help you find relief. Talk to your doctor to find some safe and effective ways of dropping a few pounds. Doing so will also benefit you in many other ways as well. You should ask your doctor what you can do about sleep apnea; however, there are areas that you can investigate for yourself. Losing weight and stopping smoking are always good, but are especially so for those who suffer from sleep apnea. Other vices to avoid are caffeine, alcohol and large meals right before bedtime. If you smoke cigarettes and are suffering from sleep apnea, now is the best time to quit this habit. When you smoke, you are increasing the inflammation and the fluid retention in your throat along with your upper airways, and that will contribute greatly to sleep apnea. Once you quit, you should notice your symptoms start to lessen. If you have sleep apnea and have been using your current CPAP machine for five years or more, see if it is time to get it replaced. CPAP technology is rapidly changing all the time. Many insurance policies allow for a new CPAP machine every five years. If yours does, consider upgrading to the newest CPAP so you can get the best treatment possible. You should adopt a healthy lifestyle and monitor your weight and blood pressure. Your doctor should be able to advise you on your diet and perhaps on a fitness program if you need to be more active. Living a healthy life should really help you reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, do not be shy about telling your friends and family. Sleep apnea is an extremely common condition. It is very possible that someone you know and love has it too and has not been diagnosed yet. By sharing your experience, you could help someone else realize they have a problem and encourage them to seek treatment. One way to reduce problems with sleep apnea is to start playing a wind instrument. These types of instruments will actually train your muscles in your upper airways, which are the muscles needed to control airway dilation while you are sleeping. Not only will you sleep better, you will also have a new skill to show off! If you are losing rest from sleep apnea, you could be jeopardizing your long-term health. Take the steps needed to control sleep apnea, and start getting the quality sleep you deserve every night. Life offers us enough challenges, you shouldn't be facing it on too little sleep!

How to sleep with heartburn

Get A Good Night's Rest With These Sleep Apnea Tips Either type of sleep apnea, obstructive or central, can be a real nightmare! If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you have your work cut out for you in terms of finding appropriate remedy. Start by checking out the tips in the following article and hopefully you will find a way to a better night's sleep. Strengthen your throat and jaw with some basic exercises. Developing these muscles should reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. You can exercise your throat and jaw by simply pulling your tongue or practicing some very simple breathing exercises. The goal is to train you to breathe differently and hopefully make your sleep apnea disappear. 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. Quitting smoking and drinking can relieve sleep apnea symptoms. Both of these habits have a negative effect on the muscles in your airway. While quitting these habits may not stop your sleep apnea episodes entirely, you will be healthier overall and save money at the same time. Consider doing a few very specific exercises before going to bed each night, to alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms. Exercising throat and tongue muscles has been proven in scientific studies to reduce snoring, improve breathing and lessen the more profound effects of sleep apnea when done according to doctor's orders. There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, central, and complexes are all forms of sleep apnea. You need to go to the doctor and have a professional assess which type of sleep apnea you have, so they can offer the best treatment and advice for your specific condition. Exercise your neck and throat. Sleep apnea is caused by your throat becoming obstructed as you sleep. By strengthening the muscles in your neck, throat, and jaw, you can help your muscles withstand the pressure. Spend a few minutes every day performing exercises designed for the jaw and neck area. Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a "stuffed up" nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst. The most common way for a physician to diagnose you with sleep apnea is to conduct a physical examination and investigate the medical histories of you and your relatives. After taking all this information, your family doctor may send you to see a sleep specialist. This doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, and he will quite likely order a sleep study. Your doctor may suggest keeping a sleep journal to help pinpoint if you have sleep apnea or not. You would record your total hours of sleep each night, as well as symptoms that occur. If you have a partner, they may be able to help document your snoring, jerky body movements and stoppage of breathing. With this information, your doctors can make a final determination on whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea. Never travel without your CPAP machine. The effectiveness of the CPAP depends on nightly use, and if you have sleep apnea, it is essential to not miss even one night. Conveniently, your CPAP machine should have a bag included with it for easy travel. You can use it to carry your CPAP easily and safely anytime you leave home. Drink one cup of caffeinated coffee a few hours before you go to sleep. It may seem silly to drink a caffeine drink at night, but this can actually help keep your throat open while you sleep. You may have to play around with what time you drink the coffee to avoid restlessness. Getting the news that you have sleep apnea may give you some relief because you finally know why you can't get a decent eight hours in, but it poses a challenge to find helpful ways to cure it. Hopefully this article has given you some of the answers you are in need of, along with a few ways to finally get a good night's rest.

Breathe Easier With The Sleep Apnea Tips Here

Sleep Apnea Tips Everyone Should Know About It is important that the devastating impact sleep apnea can have on sufferers never be discounted. In fact, the acquisition of additional knowledge about the subject makes it clear how true that really is. By reading the tips and information below, you will have a better understanding of the seriousness of sleep apnea and how its symptoms can be effectively managed. 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. A CPAP machine may turn out to be vital in combating your sleep apnea, and you should get your doctor's advice about what model is right for you. Factors such as the machine's noise level and its size are important to consider. Some of these machines are really small and barely make any sounds at all. Your doctor will help you find one that is well made. If you have sleep apnea and cannot break the habit of sleeping on your back, try sleeping in a t-shirt with two tennis balls sewn into the back. Making this sleep shirt is a simple project to do at home, and it can help to break you of sleeping on your back. Every time you try to roll over on your back in your sleep, the tennis balls will remind you to roll back onto your side. If you are over weight, going on a diet can reduce your sleep apnea, or in rare cases, eliminate it completely. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you breathe easier, so losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight when you have trouble breathing is an obvious step in treating your sleep apnea. If you feel tired every day, you may have sleep apnea. Some of the common signs of sleep apnea include, chronic snoring, pauses in breathing, daytime sleepiness, and choking or gasping during sleep. If your partner notices that you have these symptoms while you are sleeping, you should go to a doctor for an assessment of your condition. Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a "stuffed up" nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst. 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. If you can't see a doctor about your sleep apnea, you can still do some things to help yourself. Dropping weight or dropping cigarettes are good ideas; more so for victims of sleep apnea. Also, don't drink alcohol or consume caffeine too close to bedtime. Sleep apnea events can be decreased by keeping regular sleep hours. Going to bed and getting up at approximately the same time every day will provide better and more relaxed sleep. This simple lifestyle change can be a big help when sleep apnea is in the mild to moderate range. If you are searching for ways to prevent sleep apnea, try sleeping on your side as back sleeping lets gravity take over. This causes your tongue and other soft tissues in your throat to drop, which could obstruct your airway. Try putting a tennis ball in the neck of your pajamas to discourage rolling onto your back. You could even stuff a pillow with tennis balls and wedge that behind your back. There should be no argument regarding the potentially debilitating impact of sleep apnea on those afflicted by it. Widespread understanding of the condition and its effects is critical to combating the disruptions it can cause in the lives of many. Keeping the information above close at hand is a good way to do your part to promote awareness and find solutions to this very serious problem.

Ways On How To Get Rid Of Sleep Apnea

Worried About Sleep Apnea? Find Out Everything You Need To Know Here! Millions of people around the world have trouble sleeping at night due to various sleep disorders. One of the most common is sleep apnea. This condition causes you to stop breathing during your sleep, causing snoring and excessive fatigue, as well as more dangerous side effects. This article can tell you what you should know about this condition. You really need to do your best to lose weight if you have sleep apnea. Those who have sleep apnea typically have a neck circumference of 17 inches or more. This excess weight around the throat causes the airway to collapse more easily during sleep. Reducing your weight by even ten pounds can have a beneficial impact on your sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, work hard to get in the habit of using it every time you sleep. While it can be a struggle to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face, your health and your life depend on it. Work with your sleep center to get everything adjusted just right so that you can use CPAP therapy with a minimal amount of discomfort. 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 suspect that you have a sleeping disorder, but are unsure, enter a sleep study. They may be able to diagnose your disorder as sleep apnea and make suggestions regarding treatment. Treatments include mouth guards, CPAP, diet changes, and modifications of sleeping habits. You won't know your options until you speak with someone about it. If you have tried a number of less drastic sleep apnea treatment options, you might want to consider discussing surgical treatment options for the condition with your primary care physician. Sleep apnea treatment surgery often involves increasing the diameter of your airway in an effort to reduce the number of apnea episodes that you experience. If you wear a CPAP for your sleep apnea symptoms, but are still bothered by your mouth opening when you try to sleep, get a chin strap. This little piece of fabric can work wonders to hold your chin that your breathing is not interrupted. CPAP therapy is not successful with an open mouth, so use the chin strap to help alleviate the problem. An excellent method of reducing your sleep apnea symptoms is simply losing some weight. It's possible to get rid of this condition just by losing weight. Simply losing a small amount of weight can open your airways, improving your sleep apnea symptoms. If you are a smoker, this may be making your sleep apnea more severe. When you smoke a cigarette, the airways in your nose become swollen, restricting the amount of air that you can breathe. Quit smoking if you can. If you can't give it up entirely, don't smoke in the evenings before bed. If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, try to replace your mask and hose every six months. Most insurance policies allow for a new mask and hose every six months, and some allow you to replace them every three months. The mask can stop fitting well after several months of use, and the hose can develop small cracks or holes that let air leak. Replace these items to keep getting the best CPAP therapy possible. At bedtime, elevate your head using pillows. This will allow your airways to remain open as you sleep, and will reduce sleep apnea. Just make sure that your neck and back are comfortable so that you are not causing any pain in these areas while you are trying to help your sleep apnea. Knowing that you have a problem is the first step to finding a solution. If you snore, have trouble sleeping, or feel tired all the time, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor right away if you are concerned about these problems, and they can help you find the treatment you need.

Best Sleeping Positions for Back Pain

Sleep Apnea: The Hidden Condition That Can Kill You In Your Sleep If you find that you often feel grouchy, tired, and irritable in the morning, this may be a sign of some serious condition. You may be suffering from sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder caused by your airways becoming blocked at night. To find out more about this condition, keep reading this article. Sleep apnea can be connected to your weight. If you are overweight, consider going on a diet to lose a few pounds. Studies have shown that overweight people who suffer from sleep apnea were able to improve their symptoms by losing about 25 pounds in a year: give it a try! Try playing a wind instrument. Playing the trumpet or a similar musical instrument should help you strengthen your throat and help you control your breathing. Your upper airways should become stronger and remain open throughout the night, which would make the symptoms of sleep apnea disappear or at least reduce them. If you are dealing with sleep apnea and you're a smoker and drinker, you should quit now to help improve the symptoms of this condition. These habits can affect your airway, which makes sleep apnea and snoring more likely. Unlike those medical interventions or pricey surgeries, eliminating these habits can save you money. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, work hard to get in the habit of using it every time you sleep. While it can be a struggle to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face, your health and your life depend on it. Work with your sleep center to get everything adjusted just right so that you can use CPAP therapy with a minimal amount of discomfort. 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. Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a "stuffed up" nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst. Avoid drinking alcohol. Getting buzzed or drunk causes your airways to relax too much. If someone goes to sleep in a drunk state, you can hear the effects from their deep snoring. In someone who already suffers from sleep apnea, it can be very dangerous. Avoid alcoholic drinks to sleep safer. There are known risk factors for sleep apnea. Some of obstructive sleep apnea risk factors are being overweight, a smoker, male, related to someone with sleep apnea or being Hispanic, Black, or a Pacific Islander. If you have one or more of these risk factors, you are more prone to being diagnosed with sleep apnea. When dealing with sleep apnea it is best to keep a regular sleeping schedule. Your condition is already disrupting your nightly sleep cycle. Anything you can do to restore a natural sleep pattern will assist you in regaining your health and avoiding daytime sleepiness. You should go to bed at the same hour every single day. Inform a friend or family member of your condition. Sleep apnea can be life threatening. It can also cause complications when combined with other conditions. Inform those around you of your sleep apnea. If the worst occurs, they will be able to pass this information along to a medical professional during an emergency. 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. Sleep apnea affects millions of people, causing them to snore, feel tired, and even suffer from more serious health problems. If this affliction is causing problems in your life, you need to seek treatment right away. Try using the tips you have read in this article, and talk to your doctor about your problems.

What Is The Best Position To Sleep In

Ways On How To Get Rid Of Sleep Apnea Have you heard the term sleep apnea before? It may be surprising, but many people who think they simply snore actually suffer from this advanced, dangerous form called sleep apnea. If you, or a loved one, is dealing with this ailment, then be sure to read through the tips found here. Improve your sleep apnea by slimming down a bit. Recent research showed dramatic improvements in overweight men who shed 25 pounds over a period of one year to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. In some cases, the weight loss resulted in a cure of sleep apnea where no further treatment of the condition was necessary. Using a wind instrument can be a huge help in treating your sleep apnea. Researchers from Germany found that practicing with the didgeridoo on a regular basis strengthens throat muscles. Muscles in this area stiffen the airway walls and control the dilation. Because of this, regular playing of this instrument can aid sleep by reducing the various symptoms that sleep apnea produces. It is best to have your sleep apnea diagnosed and treated by a doctor. If left untreated, you won't be getting the needed rest you need, which will leave you feeling tired and unable to concentrate the next day, and may even lead to serious health problems down the road. Try some throat and mouth exercises. One reason people suffer from sleep apnea is because their throats close when they sleep. Strengthening these muscles can decrease the chance that they will go slack while you are sleeping. Try some tongue, jaw and neck exercises to increase your throat strength. A proven tip to reducing and preventing sleep apnea is to try sleeping on your side. You should avoid sleeping with your face up on your back. Gravity will cause the tongue and tissues in your neck fall back and block your airways. So sleep on your side for a better nights sleep. Don't give up on treatment for sleep apnea after one doesn't work. There are a variety of treatments for your condition, so finding the right one is sometimes a process of trial and error. The number and severity of your symptoms influence what treatment is correct one for you. Giving multiple treatments a chance ensures you find the one that works the most effectively. Keep your throat and head elevated while you sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea, your airways are getting blocked while you sleep. So, keeping your throat and head in an elevated position helps keep your airways open. This can translate into a better night of sleep with reduced sleep apnea symptoms. The first thing you should do if you discover you have sleep apnea is take a long look at your weight. If you are overweight that can be increasing the problem. That means you need to take some time to learn about weight loss and exercise. Not only will your sleep improve, but your whole life will. Having sleep apnea puts you at risk for developing diabetes. When you go into sleep apnea, the body is deprived of oxygen and must produce more adrenalin to compensate, which causes sugar levels to rise. If you already have diabetes, check your sugar levels at night. If you do not have diabetes, make sure you adopt a healthy diet to prevent this condition from developing. Getting fitted for a mouth guard may help reduce your sleep apnea if you have an overbite, a small size jaw or a recessed chin. The position of your jawbone can actually block your airways when you have these problems. Using a mouth guard will help correct this issue, and can reduce the symptoms that you are struggling with. Many individuals afflicted with sleep apnea sleep on their back. If you do this, you might want to start sleeping on your side, instead. Sleeping on your sides helps keep your airways straight, which reduces apnea during sleep. After reading this article, you are prepared to face your bed once again. While you may continue suffering from apnea, you are now informed about what exactly apnea is and some of the best ways to reduce outbreaks of it. Remember to seek medical attention when you feel you have strong apnea.

Best Sleep Position For Children

Tips To Handle Sleep Apnea Problems Easily Don't get scared once you find out you have sleep apnea. While it can be dramatic and cause other serious issues, you can live normally with proper treatment. That said, it is important that you understand best practices for treating sleep apnea, which will be outlined in the following paragraphs. 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 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. 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 you are taking a vacation and suffer from sleep apnea, don't forget to bring your CPAP machine along. You should never sleep without using your CPAP machine. This machine should have a travel bag with it. You can use it to carry your CPAP easily and safely anytime you leave home. Playing a wind instrument is helpful. The music is enjoyable and helps to strengthen the muscles that you use to control your breathing. As you make these muscles stronger, you will see increased control and minimize apnea symptoms. If you use a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, sleep with it every night. When you take the mask off at night, your symptoms will return. Sometimes they might disappear for one or two nights, but then return. Wearing the mask every night prevents episodes of sleep apnea from occurring. Quit smoking. Not only is it a good idea to quit smoking for your health in general, but it will also help with your sleep apnea. Smoking affects your lungs and respiratory system, causing your airways to swell and exacerbating your sleep apnea. By quitting, you allow your airways to return to normal and as an added bonus, you'll also save a ton of money! There are different kinds of CPAP machines: CPAP refers to the machines that provide you with a continuous airflow while APAP machines adapt the air pressure to your needs. There are also Bilevel machines that provide a higher pressure when you breathe in and a lower when you breathe out. Try different machines and talk to your doctor to find out what is best. Oral appliances designed to encourage proper jaw position can help treat many sleep apnea cases. The reason for this is that jaws vary in shape and size, and some configurations may cause narrowing of the airways. These devices realign the jaw so that more air gets into your airways during the night. Clear your nasal passages before you go to sleep to avoid apnea. Open them up by using some saline spray, nasal dilator or a neti pot. Clearing the nasal passages will allow you to breathe easier while you are sleeping. Do not forget to use distilled water when you use a neti pot. Avoid anything that can make your sleep apnea worse, especially high altitudes. Sleeping in a high altitude ie. airplanes can actually make your symptoms worse as the loss of oxygen increases. If you must travel, make sure you talk to your physician about how you can relieve your symptoms of sleep apnea. If you ignore your sleep apnea, it will only get worse. What is good is that you have a variety of options available for how to treat it. Use what you've learned here, and create a better life through peaceful sleep.

Is Going to Sleep with Wet Hair Bad for My Health