breathing improvement

I have nothing obviously wrong but we can always improve.

I am going to try to sleep on my left hand side and will put a cork in pyjamas to get me not to lapse as I am told I sometimes snore [when awake I am a constant nose breather].

Any breathing improvement suggestions ?

Thanks

Alex

Hi Alex,

For some, being prone on the left side is a known trigger for afib. This may not apply to you. It only did for me when my electrolytes were out of balance (too much Ca++).

George

Alex... As George notes, left side sleeping has been recognized as an AF trigger for some. I'm not sure if a cork is large enough to be a reminder not to rollover on one's back ... typically, a tennis ball is suggested. Prone, which is face down, is not good for your back, neck and probably also impairs breathing. Supine, which is face up, allows for the mouth to fall open as muscles relax and easily promotes snoring. The prevalence of apnea occurs with supine sleeping because throat muscles relax and block the airway. Thus, the tennis ball in a pocket on the back of a shirt helps prevent sleeping in that position.

As for improved breathing during the day, you can practice the Buteyko eucapnic breathing method... discussed in a post here years ago. ... this link is one of several on Buteyko [www.afibbers.org] If you do an Advanced Search for All Forums, All Dates, you'll pull up a variety of discussions on breathing and sleep habits.

If you Google Buteyko, there are numerous video clips to follow and practice and detailed descriptions.

One tip from the Buteyko training: It is suggested to try taping your mouth shut at bedtime.... with the paper tape that is easy on skin and readily removable. Use a strip long enough to cover the width of your mouth and before applying to your closed mouth, fold over an end of the tape so you can easily find that tab and remove the tape quickly. The idea is to sleep with your mouth taped shut and see if you can breathe adequately through your nose. If not, you'll be awakened as the need for oxygen will compel you to awaken and remove the tape. Those with Apnea tend to be mouth breathers when sleeping... and as you point out, snoring is also a tip that apnea may be involved as well.

That's night time... but practicing the Buteyko method during the day allows for many improvements.

Jackie

My doc also mentioned the tennis ball trick to stay off your back,. He suggested two or three tennis balls in a sock. Then safty pin the sock to a t shirt...or Pj's. It won't take long to unlearn sleeping on your back. I have very minor sleep apnea. It only presents when sleeping on my back.

Good luck!

Craig

I tried the paper tape method and it did not work for me. I have sleep apnea; fairly minor but I found a full face mask finally I can deal with.

Sleep Apnea is a known AFIB TRIGGER.

The paper tape method is not to correct apnea but is just a test to see if you do wake up 'anxious' to rip off the tape in order to catch a breath because you were w/o oxygen for too long. If that happens, then you make an appointment for a sleep study.

Apnea is definitely a trigger for AF and I believe Shannon reported in a post that when they ablate, they find the potentials that are Apnea triggers and ablate those. Not sure how long ago that post was.

Jackie

Where do you put the cork? I know they gave me Viagra in the hospital to keep me from rolling out of bed.

Murray L

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tikosyn uptake Dec 2011 500ug b.i.d. NSR since!
Herein lies opinion, not professional advice, which all are well advised to seek.