Sleep Apnea: Keep It Under Control
Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition, but it is controllable in several different ways. The following are some suggestions.
Lose Weight:
Obstructive sleep apnea is most often caused by weight gain which is why this condition was long thought to be a condition of older men. However, weight gain can cause anyone to become apnic and the quickest way to get off of the CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) mask is to lose weight.
Stop Smoking:
Smoking makes your lungs work harder and can make it more difficult to sleep in any case. Everyone that smokes needs to quit. It is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States.
Don’t Drink Too Much:
When we drink we relax because alcohol is an anesthetic. The last thing an apnic person needs is to be anesthetized. Limit the drinking, especially close to bed time.
Get Checked:
If losing weight doesn’t help then it’s time to suck it up, go to the doctor and get that sleep study set up. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep after the rest of these suggestions. I know of several instances where people have lost enough weight to get off the mask, but if you need it until you get there you should wear it.
Exercise:
Exercise does so many good things for your body, but for a person with sleep apnea it has two major benefits. The first is that regular exercise helps the heart to work more efficiently. This can limit some of the damage already caused by sleep apnea. The second is that it wears a person down and helps them sleep. Can’t go wrong with that.
Conclusion:
Most of we apnics will never get off the mask. However, some of us can if we are willing to follow some simple suggestions that can reduce the severity of the sleep apnea. When we get enough sleep we are more productive and much more alert.
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