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Monday, 20 August 2012

Breathe Easier With The Sleep Apnea Tips Here

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By Bruce Kilgour


Sleep apnea is a condition that often goes undiagnosed in sufferers and can vary in severity of occurrences. This disorder occurs when the airway partially collapses during sleep, and this hinders a person's ability to breathe properly. See the advice in the article below for basic information on dealing with this frightening and possibly life threatening condition.

Be proactive in finding the right sleep apnea treatment. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause serious health consequences and will get worse as the years go on. Don't allow your lack of sleep and snoring problems to become unbearable. Consult your physician immediately if you experience symptoms associated with sleep apnea.

If you think you have sleep apnea, make an appointment with your doctor and ask for a sleep test. A sleep test will give your doctor the information he needs to diagnose your condition and its severity. The next step is to find a treatment for your problem, even if you have a very mild case of sleep apnea.

You should not allow your other breathing problems to affect your life. If you have asthma or allergies, they can adversely affect sleep apnea and make your breathing problems worse. If you suffer from allergies, be sure to keep your symptoms under control by avoiding triggers and taking medication. The same applies if you feel sudden cold symptoms; get fast relief to avoid making your sleep apnea problems that much worse.

Stop smoking if you have sleep apnea. Smoking causes your air ways to enlarge, and it makes sleep apnea much worse. Common ways to quit smoking include smoking cessation programs and nicotine replacement products, such as gums. It is the initial 30 days that are the most trying. Once that happens, nicotine leaves your system and cravings begin dissipating.

Those suffering from sleep apnea typically feel very drowsy and sluggish during their day. Are your symptoms complicating breathing while you are sleeping so much that you are exhausted upon waking up? If so, then you should immediately take some steps to protect yourself. Don't drive or operate heavy machinery when you feel too tired.

In severe cases of sleep apnea, you doctor may recommend corrective surgery. Before you submit to surgery, make sure you educate yourself thoroughly so that you feel more comfortable with it all. If you doctor finds your tonsils are causing your sleep apnea, he may recommend they be removed.

Patients who suffer from sleep apnea might want to consider losing weight as a means to relieve the symptoms. Sleep apnea commonly occurs in overweight patients that have a larger neck. Your breathing will be improved once you lose weight because the pressure will be reduced on the airway and your airflow will be increased.

Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse. Because of this, your sleeping position should be the best possible one. Lift your body up by using a foam wedge at the top of the bed. Or, if your bed is adjustable, raise it about four inches at one end.

Regularly consult your doctor when you find out you have sleep apnea. Your doctor should be able to provide you with helpful information and tips on your health condition. As you try new options, expect to see your doctor to report new findings occasionally.

Try not to drink alcohol as much. Alcohol naturally relaxes your muscles. Although many people desire this side-effect of alcohol, it is not beneficial to people with sleep apnea. Alcohol has an effect on throat muscles and it can hurt your body. Try your best to limit your drinking if you do decide to have alcohol, and try to not have any right before bed.

Sleep apnea sufferers need to be diagnosed by a doctor. Good sleep is too crucial to just try randomly guessing at how to fix it. Let a doctor know about your symptoms, and get a diagnosis.

You can try nasal sprays if your sleep apnea is caused by your nasal passages. Using nasal spray a couple of nights in a row should help you sleep. Nasal sprays with medications should not be used for many days in a row, however, because they can damage the nose. Ask your pharmacist what other options you can try to keep your nasal passages clear.

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. It is imperative to consult your doctor if you need even more knowledge, and especially if you think you suffer from sleep apnea.




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