Everyone who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea knows how frustrating and tiring it can be. Getting the proper amount of restful sleep is a vital part of being healthy and happy. Fortunately, there are some things you can do about it. Read this article to learn how to cope with sleep apnea.
If a person is severely overweight, they are much more likely to develop sleep apnea. Anyone who is overweight and suffers from sleep apnea needs to lose weight for the sake of their health. Diet and exercise can do wonders to treat this condition. After a couple of weeks you should see a difference with how much sleep apnea effects you.
Give sleeping on your sides a try. Don’t sleep on your back. If you sleep on your back, your airway may become blocked when mouth tissues slide back. It’s easier to breathe when looking to the side. Support yourself with pillows so that you won’t end up on your back at night.
If your weight is higher than it should be, reverse that. It is widely known that being overweight is the cause of sleep apnea for some people. Losing a little weight can have a big affect on your sleep apnea. Try a calorie restriction diet and exercise.
Avoid medications that are designed to help you sleep. Sleep medicines often contain relaxants which only make your airway more likely to collapse. Avoid them at all costs to prevent yourself from hurting your body any more.
In an effort to better diagnose your apnea problem, your physician might want you to maintain a sleep log. Write out how many times you wake up in the middle of the night, or how ofter you get tired throughout the day. Ask others in your home to let you know if you snored, woke up without realizing it due to your snoring or if you moved a lot in your sleep. This diary will help a medical professional see patterns in your sleep habits.
Yes, sleep apnea may be serious, but luckily it is very treatable. This article can provide help in finding treatment. If your problems do not resolve quickly, be sure to follow up by seeing your doctor.