Sleep Apnea: What You Can Do

Sleep apnea, in the opinion of many in the medical community, is a criminally undertreated condition. In a nutshell, the condition describes being unable to get proper airflow when sleeping. This disturbs the individual's nighttime pattern, even if they may be unaware it is happening. Though the person may believe they are sleeping through the night, they are in fact unable to reach that deeper REM sleep that is essential for a healthy life. The condition can lead to other problems such as chronic fatigue and even serious health problems, many of which center around the heart. While nothing is a substitute from being clinically diagnosed and treated, there are some things you can do to improve your situation on your own.

Enforce a Schedule

While no schedule is going to help you breathe better or reduce the effects of sleep apnea, it can lead to better rest. Try to see that you go to bed and get up at the same time each day. This will let your body set its own internal clock. You will find, after only a few days of following such a schedule, that your body will become accustomed to waking up at the right time and will send signals of needing sleep at the same time each night. Some experts advise getting out of bed, however, if you don't fall asleep within twenty minutes. Get up, do something relaxing such as reading, and try again in a half hour.

Diet

There has been a lot of connection made when it comes to diet, exercise, and sleep apnea. This encompasses several areas. One obvious aspect is obesity. More people are chronically overweight than ever before, directly correlating to a rise in sleep conditions. Try to get your body weight down into your recommended BMI and you'll be much less likely to suffer from breathing problems. You may also wish to avoid stimulants and depressives such as nicotine, alcohol, coffee, and illicit drugs. These can not only contribute to poor sleeping patterns, but can also hasten and contribute to health problems.

Comfort

Comfort is important when it comes to getting a good night's rest. This is, of course, often at odds with the typical CPAP machine, but many people find they can get used to it after using it for several nights. Don't settle for an environment that is not conducive to your rest. Make adjustments so the room is cool enough, dark enough, and provides the quiet atmosphere you need to get your rest. You may also need to adjust your bed if you think it is contributing to difficulty breathing.