Have Sleep Apnea? What You Can Do
Posted on: 4 April 2018
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If you have recently been thinking that you suffer from sleep apnea, you may find yourself wondering what you can and should do to deal with the situation. Get to know some of the facts about the condition as well as the sleep apnea treatments. Then, you can better determine how you are going to handle and manage the situation going forward.
Sleep Study to Diagnose Sleep Apnea
When you think you might have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, you may want to self-diagnose. However, to be sure that you have sleep apnea and not some other issue, you need to go in for what is known as a sleep study. Sleep studys are nights that you will spend in a hospital or clinical setting.
The doctors will observe your sleeping, using monitors and visual assessments and observations. In the morning, they will have you answer questions about the quality of your sleep and how rested you may feel. Sometimes, all it takes is one night in a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. Other times, you will need to spend a few nights in the treatment center to get a full assessment.
Ways to Manage Sleep Apnea
When it turns out that you do have sleep apnea, you may wonder what you can do to deal with your condition and manage it. There are a few ways that you can do just that.
Weight Loss
Sleep apnea seems to affect people who also have obesity or weight problems more often than they affect people of so-called "healthy" weights. Because of this, one of the ways that you can help to relieve your sleep apnea symptoms is to lose weight. You should not try to do so in any unhealthy ways, though, as this can cause further health ailments. Instead, focus on being as healthy as possible by changing your diet and increasing your exercise.
CPAP Machines
The most common way to deal with sleep apnea is to wear a special breathing mask when you are sleeping. This mask is attached to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The mask goes over the nose and mouth and keeps air flowing through the airway, ensuring that it stays open throughout the night while you are asleep. These machines are highly effective and can help to improve your sleep almost immediately.
Now that you know more about getting diagnosed with sleep apnea and the treatment options available to you, you can be sure you are doing what is right for you and your sleep problems.