A Good Night's Sleep Can Help Make Spirits Bright
The holidays are here—the joyous time of year when we celebrate with our family and friends and enjoy our favorite foods, either at home or on the road.
But for people with sleep apnea, the holidays present numerous health challenges. Changes in your usual sleep routine can worsen your condition.
To help ensure your holidays are both happy and healthy, we offer the following simple yet valuable tips.
1. Travel With Your CPAP Machine
Getting on a plane? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) encourages people with sleep apnea to travel with their CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. For added safety, you may even want to add a medical device tag to it.
There are portable CPAP machines that are smaller and lighter than the one you use at home. These devices often have an extended battery life and can plug into an auxiliary power outlet.
2. Have Extra Supplies Ready
Depending on how long you are traveling, consider packing extra or replacement CPAP supplies. These include extra mask cushions, power adaptors, and battery packs in case of a power outage.
3. Watch What You Eat and Drink
By all means, enjoy the holiday meals. But remember: certain foods—eggnog, red meat, fried food—plus alcohol can exacerbate sleep apnea.
4. Avoid Stress
Holidays can be hectic. But it’s important to avoid stressful situations as much as possible since stress can trigger sleep apnea symptoms. Make it a point to set aside time for yourself when you can unwind and relax.
5. Stick with Your Treatment
If your doctor has prescribed CPAP to treat your sleep apnea, it’s important to use the machine every night to ensure you get the quantity and quality of sleep you need. That way, when you gather with friends and family, you will feel more rested so you can fully enjoy the festivities.
Speak to a sleep coach
We’re here to help you manage your sleep apnea. To speak directly to a live sleep coach, call 877-255-2426 or visit www.apria.com/services/sleep-apnea.
References
1. CPAP air travel: What you should know. ResMed. https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/sleep-blog/cpap-air-travel-what-you-should-know/.
2. Noyed, D. (Updated 2022, November 16). Best Travel CPAP Machines.
Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-cpap-machines/best-travel-cpap-machine.
3. 5 tips for getting through the holidays with sleep apnea. ResMed. https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/sleep-blog/5-tips-for-getting-through-the-holidays-with-sleep-apnea/.
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