Top Tips For Managing Your Sleep Apnea

People who suffer from snoring know who annoying it can be. People who sleep with a snorer really know! But were you aware that there is an even more intense form of snoring that actually carries some heavy health risks? This is known as sleep apnea; read more about it in this article.

Getting a CPAP machine is probably the best option for your sleep apnea. These machines will keep your airways open and help you breathe. You dreams should talk to your doctor about CPAP machines and figure out which model would be the most adapted. This machine should work if you use it properly.

Did you know that sleep apnea is more than just snoring? Your breathing may actually stop, or it may become very shallow, and this could happen upwards of a hundred times or more each night. If you feel you may be suffering from this affliction, you should see a doctor and be properly diagnosed and discuss a treatment that works best for you.

Sleeping pills are not the answer if sleep apnea is your problem. Sleeping pills can make your throat relax which prevents your airways from functioning properly. If your sleep apnea is bad, these can prove a real risk. No matter how bad you want a good night's sleep, these are not the answer.

Try to avoid sleeping at high altitudes. High altitudes can worsen sleep apnea. The air in high altitudes is much thinner and, consequently, more difficult to breathe. Sleep apnea is already causing your body to take in less oxygen at night. A high altitude environment can only exacerbate your condition.

If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at night, consider using saline nasal spray. The continuous airflow being pushed through your nose every time you sleep can cause your sinuses to dry out. Keep them hydrated by using two pumps of saline nasal spray in each nostril morning and night.

If you have tried all the self-help ideas and treatments and dreams made changes in your lifestyle, and you still have not had success in helping your sleep apnea, you should consult with a sleep doctor. These doctors can evaluate your condition and work with you to find a treatment that is effective.

Don't drink alcohol, especially at night. The reason most people drink alcohol is to relax, but it also causes the muscles that control your airways to relax as well. When you go to sleep with ultra-relaxed airway muscles, it can make your sleep apnea symptoms worse. Do your body and your wallet a favor and cut out the booze.

You can contact your doctor to arrange a sleep test if you suspect that you're having sleep apnea problems. A sleep study is a test that can determine not only if you have apnea but also how severe it is. Following the dreams evaluation you can begin to look at treatment options, no matter how mild your case may be.

Alcohol has also been shown to negatively exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea. As a depressant it relaxes your throat muscles, making it easier for your airway to become blocked. By not drinking in the hours leading up to bedtime you give yourself a better chance of keeping your airways open.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, it's important that you stay away from sleeping pills, cough syrup, or any other medication that may make you drowsy before going to sleep. These medications over-relax the throat muscles during sleep, even causing them to "collapse", making it hard for enough air to come through.

If you have think you might have sleep apnea or already suffer from snoring, try to use some over the counter nasal strips. These small strips attach to your nose with adhesive, lifting open your nasal passages. If your sleep apnea is related to a nasal obstruction, the strips may improve the quality of your sleep.

Have you heard of this problem before? Is it possible that you actually suffer from this issue without knowing about it? Now that you have read through this article, you know the best ways to handle apnea if you, or a loved one, develop it later on in your lives.