Living With Sleep Apnea After You Have Been Diagnosed

There are many who have come to accept chronic fatigue as a way of life. That just isn’t true. Sleep apnea is part of life for various people, and education about the condition is pertinent.

Drop some vices to combat sleep apnea. Smoking and drinking are some of the biggest offenders. When you drink, your respiratory system is depressed and breathing becomes difficult. Smoking inserts carcinogens into the lungs, which eventually damages them. Drop as many bad habits as you can as early as possible.

Depending on the condition that is causing your sleep apnea, you may be able to find a simple tool to improve your sleep. These can help you breathe better and clear your airways. It’s best to see a medical professional to get fitted properly for a guard that will fit your individual situation.

If your doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine for you, make sure you use it every night, for at least 4 hours. Using a CPAP while sleeping is a tough adjustment for many patients to make. For the CPAP therapy to work, it must be used a minimum of four hours per day. Ease your way towards your four hour CPAP goal, even if you find the experience difficult to get used to.

Look for alternatives to sleeping pills. Sleeping pills will just make you snore more by relaxing the muscles in the throat. Natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are much safer. If you have chronic insomnia, consult with your doctor about safe alternatives to sleeping pills.

There are several components to a sleep apnea diagnosis including a physical examination, a complete review of your medical history and a review of your family history. A sleep study can also shed some light on your sleep problems. Your primary physician may find that the best course of action is to send you to see a sleep specialist. These doctors have the specialized expertise necessary to diagnose and treat many sleep disorders including sleep apnea.

It is clear from the information shared in this article that sleep apnea is a serious condition that impacts all areas of a person’s life. If you think you have symptoms and you want more information about it, contact your doctor.