Tired All The Time? Maybe It's Sleep Apnea

Many people believe that long-term sleepiness is just something that we deal with in life and nothing more can take care of it. This is so untrue. Many people suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that everyone should be aware of.

If you suspect you are suffering from sleep apnea, schedule a sleep test with your doctor. This study will rule sleep apnea in or out, and if you have it, will determine its severity. Even mild sleep apnea must be treated, so formulating a treatment plan is your next step.


Minimize the risk factors associated with sleep apnea. There are some factors that are unavoidable. These can include being male or family genetics. However, many other risk factors can be cut out, like being overweight, a smoker or a heavy drinker.

Look for a support group in your community or online to help you exchange information about sleep apnea. There are a lot of people out there that can help with sleep apnea. It is important to get some support from fellow sufferers and experts in sleep disorders. Consult with your doctor about all of the advice you receive, as well. That way you know you are doing things that are beneficial for your health.

Always have your CPAP machine with you while you sleep, even if it happens to be during a hospital stay. Whether the hospital stay is a planned one or it's just an emergency room visit, always bring along the CPAP machines just in case you need to stay for awhile. This is because it is already customized to the pressure you need, and the mask won't be awkward. These things will make it much easier to continue your CPAP therapy while you are hospitalized.

Are nicotine and alcohol a part of your life? Drop these unhealthy habits. These items can harm your airways. Smoking will cause your throat to swell, and alcohol will relax it too much. Try to at least smoke less, because it will help you deal with sleep apnea.

A CPAP, or "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure" machine can be an effective way to reduce your symptoms of sleep apnea. It's a relatively simple machine to operate and all you do is cover your nose and mouth with a mask. The mask is hooked up to the CPAP equipment, and it facilitates breathing while you sleep. Using a CPAP machine is one of the most effective ways to treat sleep apnea, although many patients find it hard to adjust to wearing the mask.

Don't take drugs, such as morphine, that contain opioids. These medications can decrease oxygen levels in anyone. Too little oxygen can lead to cell death and a potentially fatal situation.

Do not be discouraged just because you have not found a workable solution thus far. There are many types of symptoms that can vary in severity from person to person, so someone may find that certain methods don't work for them. Don't give up, and keep trying different treatment options until you find the one that is right for you.

Those suffering from sleep apnea typically feel very drowsy and sluggish during their day. If you find it hard to sleep at night, thus feel so tired during the day, you need to take the proper precautions. Don't drive when you're in a sleep-deprived state.

Try something other than sleeping pills. Just like alcohol, taking sleeping pills will make your throat muscles relax. Pills also can affect sleep apnea sufferers in several different ways. If you have chronic insomnia, consult with your doctor about safe alternatives to sleeping pills.

It is a well know fact that the main thing the condition known as sleep apnea causes is bad quality sleep. A lot of the time if someone changes the way they are living their life, their sleep apnea will get better. If you are not healthy you may be causing your sleep apnea.

Now that you have learned more about sleep apnea from what you have read here, you will be better armed to be on the lookout for it in your life. Being chronically sleep deprived is not normal and it is something that needs to be dealt with properly.

Tips To Make Life Easier While Dealing With Sleep Apnea

It is vital to rule out sleep apnea if you or a loved one is having chronic sleeping difficulties. Ignoring sleep apnea can cause serious health problems, so you and anyone you sleep with should be aware of the condition. Keep reading this to find out how to deal with it.

If nothing is working to better your sleep apnea, try talking to a doctor about more aggressive treatments. There are surgical procedures that have proven to be highly effective in severe sleep apnea cases, such as airway enlargement and the removal of the adenoids or (if they're still present) the tonsils.

There are several exercises that can strengthen you throat and improve sleep apnea's symptoms. These exercises help to strengthen the muscles that surround the airway, making them less likely to collapse. One way is by pressing your tongue firmly to the top of your mouth, and hold it for several minutes. Try doing this at least once a day.


Sometimes you might just need to do a few simple things to help with your sleep apnea. Set up a schedule for each day so that you can go to sleep at a regular time and wake up at the same time. Also ensure that where you sleep has optimal conditions to help you fall asleep. Don't sleep in a room that you won't have a comfortable time sleeping in.

Your doctor should make a certain diagnosis of your sleep apnea, but there are ways you can help yourself too. Quitting smoking and losing weight are beneficial to anyone, particularly those that have sleep apnea. You will definitely want to stay away from alcohol and caffeine, along with late night heavy meals before going to bed.

Work on maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Try your best to train your body on a set sleeping schedule when you have sleep apnea. Going to sleep at the same time every night lets your body adjust to this schedule. Doing so means you get to sleep easier for a better night's rest.

Make time to clear your mind before bed. Sleep apnea may be worsened if you're very stressed out about things. If you try to fall asleep with so much on your mind, your apnea will be worse. Figure out ways that you can clear your mind before you go to bed.

Some people have great luck with stopping their snoring by using an anti-snoring device they wear in their mouth while sleeping. Snoring happens when the airways are mostly closed but air can come though, and apnea is when the airways are completely closed. It is understandable that something can help this. These devices might be just what you need for a better night's rest.

If you suspect sleep apnea to be the cause of your night time woes, arrange to have a sleep test with your family physician. This can determine the cause of your sleep problems, and if it is sleep apnea, you will learn how severely you suffer with the condition. After that, you need to look for a treatment to manage it, even if it's not that severe.

Do not be discouraged just because you have not found a workable solution thus far. Everyone has a different body and everyone has different things that are going to help them out. You may have to try quite a few before hitting upon just the right combination.

A diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by analyzing your medical history as well as your family history, followed by a physical exam. In addition, a sleep study may be required. Some doctors may send you to a doctor that specializes in sleep disorders. This is a specialist that concentrates on treating people who are having trouble sleeping.

Try to avoid taking opioid and narcotic pain relievers. Pain medications such as these may cause your oxygen level to be low and disrupt your normal sleeping habits. Combining these drugs with a sleep apnea condition, which causes reduced levels of oxygen all on its own, can be extremely dangerous and even, in some cases, life-threatening.

This article has given you some great advice to think about and discuss with others. Remember that ignoring a sleep apnea problem will not make it go away, and can even expose you to further risk. You can even print this article out and let others look at it to learn of sleep apnea too.

Things You Could Do To Fight Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that often goes undiagnosed in sufferers and can vary in severity of occurrences. People who suffer from sleep apnea often have trouble with their tongue and palate relaxing to the back of the throat, which obstructs the airway and interferes with breathing. For more information about this terrible condition, continue ahead to the article below.

Sleep on your side in order to get some better sleep. Sleeping on your back can block your 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.

Make sure you exercise your throat and jaw muscles. Weak muscles can intensify the symptoms of sleep apnea, so add a couple of these types of exercises to your daily routine. You can really benefit from a few exercises.

Left untreated, sleep apnea may get progressively worse. Some treatments may work for certain people, but not all of them. Treatment options vary depending on the cause. One person will find relief by stopping the habit of smoking and drinking. Another person may find that losing weight is their solution. Some people find that using a CPAP machine or a simple mouth guard designed for sleep apnea sufferers works for them. Some prefer surgery when dealing with sleep apnea. Many non-invasive treatments are available to decrease the symptoms of sleep apnea and improve your quality of life.

Remember that you might not always catch yourself with sleep apnea every night. But if you do feel tired and irritated throughout the day, then this may be a sign that you do have sleep apnea. Even if you do not realize it while sleeping, you could have sleep apnea.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, consider being fitted for a corrective oral device. Oral devices can help when sleep apnea is caused by narrow airways. Your jaw can be aligned with a corrective device because air can flow more easily.

Connect with people in your area that also suffer from this debilitating condition. If your community does not have a support group, you can find a variety of them online. When you can surround yourself with people who can relate to your situation, you will not have a need to become anxious about your situation.

Visit a sleep-disorder specialist. Your internist can oversee an initial diagnosis and offer some basic advice, but a specialist has a much broader tool box of treatment options to offer you. Specialists have all the latest information and can pinpoint the cause of your sleep apnea. You will find yourself with more options when it comes to treatment, as well.

One way to prevent yourself from getting sleep apnea is to exercise your throat muscles and make them stronger. When the muscles at the back of your throat collapse, your breathing can be reduced. As your muscles strengthen, their possibility of collapsing and blocking your airways is lowered.

Only sleep with a single pillow of standard size. Puffy pillows, or using too many pillows, can put you in a position that interferes with your breathing. Not only is this bad for your neck in general, it also restricts your airway. Because of this, you should only sleep with a single pillow to combat sleep apnea.

Ask your doctor about a corrective mouth piece for your sleep apnea symptoms. If you have a recessed chin or a small jaw, these conditions can greatly increase your sleep apnea symptoms. Mouth pieces can help align your jaw in the proper way, which will provide you with high-quality sleep.

People with sleep apnea should avoid sleeping on their back. When you are a back sleeper, you will block your airways and your sleep apnea will flair up. If you do have sleep apnea then it's wise to go bed on your side. Gravity won't have as much of an effect on you then.

Now, after learning about the different ways that sleep apnea can be harmful, you have a better understanding on the different methods to treat this condition. If you or someone you know may have sleep apnea, it is vital that you consult with your doctor about it.

Tips And Tricks On Controlling Your Sleep Apnea

In the event you or a loved one has been diagnosed as having sleep apnea, you are sure to be curious about the various treatments available. You may need to explore several options to find which one suits you. If you take the time to let this article sink in, you will be armed with critical knowledge to battle sleep apnea.

A large number of sleep apnea sufferers sleep on their backs. If this is you, then you should try finding another position to sleep in. Sleeping in a position, such as on your side, can help alleviate the problems caused by constricted airways.

Before you go to sleep, be sure to quiet your thoughts. Stress can make sleep apnea worse. When you go to sleep with a lot of things going through your head, it may worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. Figure out ways that you can clear your mind before you go to bed.


Sleep apnea is often easy to treat, and it's just a matter of becoming educated it and putting these treatments in place. Stick to a regular, set schedule and go to bed at the same time each night. Make sure your environment is suitable for your sleeping arrangement. If you don't set up your room correctly, you may not be able to sleep.

Be proactive in finding treatment. If you don't consult a physician about what you can do, your condition will worsen and may even threaten your life. A visit to your doctor is essential to prevent your sleep apnea symptoms from ruining your nightly sleep.

Try your best to use your CPAP machine as much as possible if you get one. It is hard for many patients to become accustomed to using the CPAP. However, it won't be effective if you don't use it every day. Starting at just four hours per session can help you ease into adjusting to your CPAP.

Discuss your sleep apnea with your partner. Evaluate their feeling about it. It may be that you have awakened your partner frequently with your snoring. If they have been bothered by it, let them know you are willing to do what it takes to let them have a good night's rest by getting your apnea treated.

If you are obese, start a weight loss program. Sleep apnea and obesity are often tied together. If you are obese, lose at least 20 pounds to see if it makes a change for the better with your sleep apnea. It will also help ward off other medical conditions, too.

Prevent falling asleep on your back. Being on your back can compress your airways, leading to breathing problems that wake you up. Try sleeping on your side, however, if this is not natural to you, then prop yourself up with pillows in order to force yourself into sleeping on your side every night.

Stop snoring devices are often helpful in treating sleep apnea. When the airway is closed but still allows a little air through, that's when snoring is most probable; in sleep apnea, the airways are almost fully closed. It actually makes sense that your device can assist with the latter if it can help you with the former. Your sleep apnea may benefit from the use of a stop snoring device.

Sleep on your side. Sleep apnea sufferers tend to sleep on their back. When you sleep on your back it can cause your throat and mouth tissues to impede your airways. Breathing is a lot easier for your body to do when you are on your side. Use pillows to force yourself to sleep sideways if you have a problem with rolling over once you are asleep.

Throat exercises have been shown to help with the symptoms of sleep apnea. Throat exercises build up the muscles around the airway, and can make them less likely to collapse. A common exercise recommended to sleep apnea sufferers involves holding the tongue flat against the roof of the mouth for 180 seconds. Perform this exercise once per day.

Knowledge is truly powerful when it comes to sleep apnea. The more you know about sleep apnea, the more able you will be to find the proper course of action. Utilize the tips you got today to figure out how to get rid of as much sleep apnea as possible.

Tips For Adjusting To Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep apnea robs people of the essential restful night's sleep that no one can function without. The contents of the following paragraphs have a great deal of useful information you can use to combat your sleep apnea.

Don't go to sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea. Most people with sleep apnea tend to snooze lying face-up, and this can cause the airways to be more susceptible to interference. A good way to get around this is to use a pillow so that you sleep on your side in bed.

Keeping a sleep log can help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea. This log is where you'll keep track of how much you sleep during the night, and other symptoms you may experience. Your partner can let you know if you snore too loudly, jerk your limbs, or stop breathing. This diary will help a medical professional see patterns in your sleep habits.


Have yourself fitted for a mouth guard that will address your problem. An oral appliance can open up your airways and provide relief from snoring and sleep apnea. How your jaw sits during sleep can create some of the symptoms related to sleep apnea.

A diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by analyzing your medical history as well as your family history, followed by a physical exam. Your general practitioner may order a sleep study. Based upon this, he or she may give you a referral for a sleep specialist. Sleep specialists focus primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of people with sleep disorders.

Your CPAP needs to have a cool-mist humidifier. A humidifier can help with the dryness you feel from the air being forced through your airway all night. You can greatly increase your comfort level by just filling your humidifier with water every night and turning it on. If you have a problem with dryness and shun your CPAP because of it, you can benefit from using the humidifier with your mask.

Try toning your throat muscles to help you sleep at night with sleep apnea. Nearly any solution for increasing your throat muscle strength will help prevent the collapse of your airway during sleep. Stick your tongue in and out. Practice saying vowels over and over. Do at least one of these exercises once per day for three minutes at a time. Any combination of these things can help make your throat stronger.

Playing a wind instrument can help you strengthen your throat muscles. Learn the clarinet, flute, or even the didgeridoo to help relieve your sleep apnea. You master air control, breathing and throat exercises that assist in strengthening the muscles afflicted by sleep apnea. Soon enough, the more you play with the instruments your muscles will have sufficiently built up to help with your sleep apnea.

In order to improve sleep apnea, eliminate some bad habits from your life. In particular, alcohol and cigarettes are bad for you. Drinking affects the respiratory system. And when you smoke you inhale a bunch of carcinogens that can seriously damage your lungs. Quit both these habits, and you'll soon notice an improvement in your sleeping patterns.

Try to sleep on a regular schedule if you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes regular interruptions in your ordinary nightly sleep cycle. Using simple sleep hygiene techniques like this one will help you avoid health problems and falling asleep during the day. The first change you should make is setting a specific time to go to sleep and wake up each day.

Depending on the condition that is causing your sleep apnea, you may be able to find a simple tool to improve your sleep. A mouth guard opens your airway and facilitate nighttime breathing. If you think this will help, you should ask your physician to fit you with a mouth guard.

Avoid alcohol before going to bed if you have sleep apnea. Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles which makes it hard for air to get through. You don't need to become a teetotaler; however, you should make sure to cease drinking at least 4 hours before bedtime.

If you are losing rest from sleep apnea, you could be jeopardizing your long-term health. Don't wait to get treatment for your apnea and finally, get a good night's rest. Life is already hard and not getting enough sleep can mean more problems.

Suffer From Sleep Apnea? Follow This Advice.

Any intrusion to your peaceful sleep can prove nightmarish, but the prospect of sleep apnea is particularly terrifying. You do, thankfully, have many options available to you in order to minimize your symptoms and maximize the quality of the sleep you get. Use the advice from this article to sleep more comfortably.

Are nicotine and alcohol a part of your life? Quit these vices. They can do bad things to your airways. Smoking and alcohol combined can definitely cause sleep apnea. If you find that you just can't give these bad habits up, do what you can to not do either of them within four hours of your bedtime.


Minimize your alcohol intake. If you regularly drink, your throat muscles will relax too much, which will block your airways and cause snoring. If you are going to drink, have only one a few hours before bed. This can keep alcohol from messing up your sleep.

You can get some relief from your sleep apnea symptoms by doing tongue exercises. For three minutes, press your tongue up to the roof of your mouth. This exercise strengthens the tongue and throat muscles, making it less possible for them to allow the blocking of your air passage during sleep.

When sleep apnea deprives you of much needed night time rest, try and get a nap in your day to compensate. A nap will give you sufficient energy to make it through the day. Explain your situation to your employer, and they might be able to make an exception for you.

Look for alternatives to sleeping pills. Sleeping pills can interfere with your throats muscles, just like alcohol. They can also contribute to a large variety of things that are problematic to those who suffer from sleep apnea. Consult your doctor to find a sleep aid that won't impact your breathing.

A majority of sleep apnea sufferers sleep on their backs. If this applies to you, try switching the position you sleep in. Sleeping on your sides helps keep your airways straight, which reduces apnea during sleep.

You need to keep pursuing treatment options, even if you don't feel like going to doctor's appointments are evaluating CPAP machines. Your loved ones can help you by driving you to the doctor's office or help you research CPAP machines.

Ask your loved ones what they think about your sleep apnea. Spouses are often the first to help sleep apnea sufferers recognize their condition. Discuss the effect that your apnea has had on their sleep, and reassure them that their sleep will improve as you seek treatment.

It is hard to know whether or not you are having difficulty breathing at night if you sleep alone. You might consider video recording yourself asleep. Make sure you have audio on your video so you and your doctor can hear the noises you make in your sleep.

You should never smoke if you are dealing with sleep apnea. This irritation causes narrow air passages that make breathing difficult. You could use various methods of nicotine replacement, electronic cigarettes or a stop smoking program to quit smoking.` After 30 days of dedication, you should almost be cured from being addicted to smoking. Once you are over that, you shouldn't have as much trouble with cravings, as the nicotine has started leaving your body.

A CPAP machine (so called because it provides continuous positive pressure to your airway) can be a powerful ally in your fight against sleep apnea. It provides relief by the use of a mask that you attach over your nose and mouth. The CPAP machine is hooked to the mask and allows for a more restful sleep as it provides you with a constant flow of pressurized air. These machines work extremely well, but unfortunately the mask can be hard to get accustomed to while you're sleeping.

Don't use opioid or narcotic medicines if you suffer from sleep apnea. These medications lower oxygen levels in all patients. For a person with sleep apnea, this effect can lead to a potentially life-threatening situation.

People need every bit of available energy to deal with the demands of day-to-day life, and that means that getting healthy, natural sleep is vitally important. There is no reason to suffer needlessly with sleep apnea when there is a treatment option that will help you get control again.

Suffer From Sleep Apnea? These Tips Can Help!

Sleep apnea maybe the reason you're having trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Lots of people have this unpleasant condition. However, sleep apnea has many underlying causes and a wide variety of treatment options. Read the tips in the below article, which will assist you in dealing with this condition.

Give sleeping on your sides a try. Many people with sleep apnea sleep while on their backs. The tissue in your throat and mouth can wind up obstructing your air passage when you sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side makes breathing significantly easier. Put a pillow on your side if you always find yourself moving around during sleep.

You shouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed about sleep apnea treatments like CPAP therapy. Let people know that you need it, and do not feel self-conscious about using it in front of your friends or partner. If the people around you give you trouble regarding the use of your machine, you may need a better group of friends.

If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis, it is important to keep in contact with your doctor. The doctor can help you by providing plenty of information on how to treat your condition. If you try something new, follow-up with your doctor in about a month so you can tell him how the treatment is working.

Try using a mouth guard. Your dentist can fashion a custom mouth guard to use if you have an abnormality with your jaw or an overbite. These devices can correct your jaw's alignment, which can make it easier for breathing at night.

Sleep Apnea also affects children. Children who breathe through their mouth rather than their nose can suffer from sleep apnea. Other symptoms can include hyperactivity, poor grades, irritability or hostility. Oftentimes these symptoms cab be associated with ADHD, but first you should consult with your doctor to see if the problem is sleep apnea.

How you position yourself when you lay down for bed can contribute to your issues with sleep apnea. Having a proper sleep position is necessary. Use a foam wedge or body pillow to lift your upper body. This will keep excess tissue and relaxed muscles from blocking your airways.

Sleep apnea is stressful. Baths can help. Your muscles relax and the tension leaves your body when you sit back in a soothing hot bath. This leaves you ready for a restful night's sleep and decreases the risk of a sleep apnea incident.

Don't wait until your condition is really bad before seeking help. If you are affected by sleep apnea, take care to treat other breathing problems promptly. Talk to your doctor about taking allergy or asthma medication that can be safely combined with your sleep apnea treatment. You can keep your sleep apnea symptoms from increasing by promptly treating any cold that you start to develop.

Some useful tongue exercises can help alleviate many sleep apnea symptoms. One simple exercise is to put your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold it there for a couple of minutes. Your tongue and throat muscles will become stronger by doing this, making it less likely that your airways are blocked as you sleep.

Try losing weight to deal with your sleep apnea. Those who are overweight usually suffer from sleep apnea due to the circumference of their neck. Shedding some unnecessary weight can really cut down on the pressure airways receive, which means you get easier air flow and breathing during your sleeping hours.

Extra weight is a primary cause of sleep apnea. In these cases, simply losing the extra weight can alleviate the symptoms. Follow a strict diet and exercise regimen for awhile to see if this makes a difference. Reducing carbs in the diet may also help.

Treat your allergies or other sinus problems when dealing with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes enough difficulty breathing on its own. You don't need anything else adding to that. Try and clear your airways as much as possible, and keep your nasal problems to a minimum.

Now you know that there are many ways to deal with sleep apnea. Try all of these methods to find the right one. Trying new treatments is the best way to experience relief. You don't have to let your sleep apnea ruin your nights and spoil your days.