If your doctor tells you you have sleep apnea, you might be terrified. Clear up any questions you have about sleep apnea because you don’t want to go home not knowing what to do. In this article you can learn a lot about sleep apnea and how to deal with it.
Talking with other people that have sleep apnea may help you find a way you can effectively deal with the condition. There are even support groups online you can join. You can stay current with the latest apnea treatments and exchange ideas with other sufferers. You may also have ones available in your local area.
You can cut down on the sleep apnea symptoms you experience by making your throat muscles stronger. Sleep apnea is caused by the obstruction of breathing that results from the collapse of the soft tissues in the back of the throat. As your muscles strengthen, they will be more likely to keep your airways open.
If your sleep apnea is sufficiently bad, have yourself fitted with a CPAP machine. “CPAP” stands for “Continuous Positive Air Pressure.” This devise is placed over the mouth and nose. The CPAP machine itself is linked to your mask, and it will ease your night-time breathing by providing you with a continuous flow of air. Although it may take a while to become accustomed to the mask, it can be a very effective way to control sleep apnea.
Don’t drink alcohol before bed if you’ve got sleep apnea. Alcohol causes your palate and tongue relax toward the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway. Drinking late in the evening is not advisable, but you can still have a drink earlier in the day.
If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine for you, make sure you use it every night, for at least 4 hours. It can be hard, at first, to get comfortable using it. However, you must use your CPAP a minimum of four hours for it to be effective. Just use it as much as possible and you’ll get used to using it after a couple of weeks.
Getting a sleep apnea diagnosis can be scary. Fortunately, it is a condition that can be managed. Put the advice about sleep apnea you have read here to work for you starting tonight. Even though you have sleep apnea, you can get treatment and live a happy and healthy life.
