March is National Sleep Awareness Month, the perfect time to start prioritizing your sleep and learn how to effectively manage your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can affect your everyday life and compromise your quality of sleep. Sleep apnea may cause complications like daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, heart problems, and many others. Along with sleep apnea complications, not getting adequate amounts of quality sleep can lead to increased stress, mood disorders, mental health problems, decreased productivity, and more. Continue reading to find out a few helpful tips for dealing with sleep apnea!  

1. Practice Good Sleep Hygiene  

Practicing good sleep habits will help you get quality sleep and be able to sleep more. Doing things like creating a consistent sleep schedule, making your bedroom a dark and relaxing place, and removing electronics from your bedroom can all be helpful in improving your quality and quantity of sleep.  

2. Change Your Sleep Position  

Sleeping on your side is great for reducing symptoms of sleep apnea and helps with alignment. Sleeping on your stomach can also help reduce snoring. It may take time to find what sleep position works best for you, but it is important in helping you manage your sleep apnea symptoms.  

3. Use Your CPAP Machine Correctly  

If you're using a CPAP machine to help manage your sleep apnea, using it correctly will help ensure that you are receiving all of the benefits of your therapy. Be sure you are wearing your CPAP at least 4 hours per night. Also, be sure you are cleaning and routinely replacing your worn CPAP supplies, this will assure maximum comfort and benefit from your CPAP therapy.

4. Utilize a CPAP Pillow  

Utilizing a CPAP pillow can help provide head and neck support while using your CPAP machine. It can also help reduce pressure from the mask, help with spine alignment, and improve the overall effectiveness of your CPAP therapy.  

5. Lifestyle Changes  

Lifestyle and habit changes can improve your quality of sleep and reduce symptoms of sleep apnea. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco can help manage sleep apnea.  

By making your quality and quantity of sleep a priority, you can effectively manage your sleep apnea and improve your overall health. This March, observe National Sleep Awareness Month by prioritizing your sleep and effectively managing your sleep apnea. Here at ThedaCare, we care about your sleep, visit our website to find our sleep apnea equipment and contact us with any questions you have!