Many people who suffer from sleep apnea do not even know they have this condition; the severity of it can vary. The disorder renders an individual’s airway useless during sleep and causes breathing to become abnormal or stalled. For more information about this harmful and even fatal condition, keep reading.
Mouth Guard
If your airway is naturally narrow, a mouth guard for sleep may help with your sleep apnea. Using these guards encourages proper jaw alignment and helps keep the breathing passages fully open while you sleep. Speak with your doctor to see if you should get a specially fitted mouth guard.
If you are overweight, lose some weight. Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms are more common in people who are overweight. It also stands to reason that losing just a little weight can dramatically improve your condition and your health.
Have your dentist fit you for a custom mouth guard. These oral devices are specially made for sleep apnea sufferers. They make a good substitute for CPAP machine use, and provide better nighttime comfort. It keeps your air passageways wide open and clear by stabilizing your throat and holding it in the proper position.
It can be a very serious issue when you have sleep apnea. It’s important to seek medical advice as soon as you suspect you may be suffering from it. With an official diagnosis, you will have to see a sleep specialist and possibly a home based sleep test with a portable monitor to fully assess the condition.
Try to sleep on your side instead of your back to breathe easier when you sleep. When people sleep on their back, their tongue and soft palate rest to the back of the throat, which blocks the airway. If you can get to sleep lying on your side (and stay that way through the night), you may well experience a much less trouble night.
To actually diagnose your disorder, a doctor may require you to take notes in a sleep log. Here, you will track your hours of successful sleep, when you awaken through the night and other problems you may encounter. Ask your partner to note anything unusual noticed during the night while you were sleeping. That helps the physician determine whether your symptoms are, in fact, sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea
Losing weight can help sleep apnea sufferers. People who are overweight usually suffer from sleep apnea more. Losing some weight can help improve the amount of air you can take in.
Never sleep on your back if you experience the symptoms of sleep apnea. Most apnea patients are “back sleepers”, making it more likely that airway obstructions can occur. Use a wedge pillow to stay propped up on your side.
Now that you have a firm understanding of the basics of sleep apnea, you are well prepared to create your own sleep apnea plan in conjunction with your doctor. If you think you have symptoms and you want more information about it, contact your doctor.
Article source: https://stayingsleeping.com/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-can-be-dangerous-follow-these-tips-to-sleep-well/