Lack of quality sleep can negatively affect one’s life. If you don’t sleep well and have sleep apnea, you already know this! Thankfully, you can utilize some methods in gaining control over your sleep apnea and getting the high-quality sleep you need and deserve. Use this article as a starting place for some help. It is important to use your CPAP machine if instructed to by your doctor. You should use it for the full night, but if you cannot, try to get at least 4 hours with the machine. It can be hard for some people to sleep with the CPAP initially. Good health over the long term is what is important, and you need to build up the amount of time you use it until you can use it throughout the night. If you have trouble adjusting to use it the full night, keep it on for four hours at the least.

Look for other sleeping aids besides sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are similar to alcohol in that they cause the muscles in your throat to be less tense. They may also cause complications for sleep apnea patients. See if your doctor knows of any sleeping medication that doesn’t cause respiratory depression. Assessing your sleep apnea potential might be hard if you there is not a partner in bed at night to give you feedback. Try setting up a video camcorder to record yourself while you are sleeping at night. Ensure that you record audio also, which will allow the doctors to evaluate noises you are making during sleep. Use a chin strap if your mouth falls open as you sleep. A chin strap is a fabric strip that prevents your chin from falling during the night, which in turn keeps your mouth closed. Your CPAP machine cannot function properly if your mouth hangs open. Using a chin strap may help.

Sleep with just one pillow at night. An over-sized pillow or multiple pillows can actually skew your position. Pillows that lift your head can cramp the airways that you need to be open to be able to breathe properly as you sleep. So find a normal size pillow that is comfortable and doesn’t contort your airway because this will help you sleep better and breathe easier. Shedding weight oftentimes is a big help to anyone who is dealing with sleep apnea. Those who are overweight usually suffer from sleep apnea due to the circumference of their neck. When you lose a few extra pounds you reduce the pressure on your airway and breathing becomes easier.

You need to have patience when you realize you have sleep apnea. There are a variety of treatments that you can do, but they take time to work. One good way to lessen sleep apnea episodes is by losing weight, but there are thin people who suffer from sleep apnea as well. CPAP machines and other non-invasive therapies have worked for millions of apnea sufferers. Other people may be inclined to opt for surgery where changes may be made to the airway passages. It doesn’t matter which treatment you get, as long as it is effective for you and helps you find the quality of life you are missing. Sleeping face-up can worsen sleep apnea symptoms, so make an effort to face sideways when sleeping. Try sewing a large, lumpy object like a ball onto your PJ’s to prevent you from rolling on your back while sleeping. This makes it very uncomfortable to sleep while lying on your back.

Someone who suffers with snoring or sleep apnea should think about taking up a wood instrument. This not only can help soothe your body, but it can also reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Mastering this music form means you can retain control of your respiratory system. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, give up sleeping facing up. Sleeping on your back can block your airways and cause sleep problems. You could try sleeping on your side or in a semi-reclining position propped up with pillows. Since life is already filled with so many difficulties, sleep apnea should not be another one. With any luck, this article should have given you some helpful advice for treating your sleep apnea so that you can sleep well every night.