Newly Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

What steps should you take after being diagnosed with sleep apnea?

• If you are newly diagnosed with sleep apnea talk to your healthcare provider about what treatment options are right for you.
• Once you have established how your sleep apnea is going to be treated, follow these recommendations consistently.  If you are having difficulty sticking to your treatment, talk to your provider about what other options you have to treat your condition.
• For better health outcomes, talk to your provider about what lifestyle changes may be helpful for managing your condition such as:
  • Reducing weight
  • Quitting smoking
  • Eating a nutritional diet
  • Limiting alcohol consumption, especially four hours before going to sleep
• If you have been prescribed a breathing device and/or oral appliance to help treat your condition, be sure to learn how to use it correctly and how to properly clean and maintain it.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about what complications or risks may be associated with sleep apnea and how you can best minimize these risks.