In addition to being a hassle, sleep apnea can cause life-threatening health issues. This is why people with sleep apnea are wise to educate themselves regarding the causes of sleep apnea and its treatments. You can get going on that education by reading the tips below.
Being overweight can be a cause of sleep apnea. The obvious solution is to lose the excess weight. The simplest way to take off the weight is to eat fewer calories and engage in daily exercise. Restriction of carbohydrates is shown to help those wanting to shed pounds.
Mouth Guard
Get fitted for a specialty made mouth guard. These special guards are designed to help people who suffer with sleep apnea. It is a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and is much more comfortable to wear at night. The mouth guard keeps your jaw in the proper position and keeps your airway more open.
Try something else besides sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar in a way to alcohol because they may relax the muscles in your throat. They can also make other problems associated with sleep apnea worse. Consult with your practitioner to see what you can do to get to sleep without putting your breathing patterns at risk.
If you have tried many treatment options and nothing works, then it is time to contact your doctor for more serious treatment alternatives. Some people don’t have any luck with conventional treatments, and usually opt for surgeries like a tonsillectomy, adenoid removal or airway enlargement as their last resort.
Sleep with just one pillow at night. When you sleep on a pile of pillows, or one extremely thick pillow, your chin is pushed down toward your neck and restricts your air flow. These mean you sleep in positions where it is hard to breathe. So, you should stick to one pillow to help lessen any sleep apnea symptoms.
Try using a device made to eliminate snoring. While apnea involves complete blockage of the airways, snoring is similar in that partial airway obstruction is what causes it. It makes sense to have a device that will help both. If you have mild sleep apnea, an anti-snoring device may be enough to help with your condition.
Risk Factors
Cut down on your chances of developing sleep apnea. Be aware that certain risk factors, like gender and genes, cannot be changed. On the other hand, you can influence risk factors like your weight, smoking and drinking.
Your doctor should make a certain diagnosis of your sleep apnea, but there are ways you can help yourself too. Shedding pounds and quitting smoking are too big things you can do. You should also refrain from consuming alcohol, heavy meals, and caffeine for a few hours before bed.
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 the tips in the article above to create your treatment plan.
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