Sleep Well Even on the Go: 5 Tips for Traveling with Sleep Apnea

As exciting as traveling can be, it can take a toll on your regular sleep routine – especially if you already have to deal with sleep-disordered breathing. If you have sleep apnea, then you need to make sure that you’re properly managing the problem even when you’re away from home. Below are 5 tips that you should keep in mind when traveling with sleep apnea.

1. Don’t Forget to Pack Your Oral Appliance

You may rely on an oral appliance to keep your airway open while you’re asleep in order to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms. Even when you’re on vacation, you need to make sure that you’re wearing your appliance every night; as such, you should double and triple-check to confirm that you’ve packed it along with its protective case.

2. If You Fly, Keep Your Oral Appliance in Your Carry-on Luggage

When flying, it’s better to keep your oral appliance in your carry-on luggage. That way, even if the worst happens and your checked luggage is lost, you’ll still have what you need to properly manage your sleep apnea. On top of that, you’ll be able to use your appliance if you decide to take a nap while you’re on the plane.

3. Get Your Oral Appliance Adjusted Before You Leave

Does it seem like your oral appliance no longer fits the way it should? If so, you’ll want to have your dentist take a look at it before you depart for your trip. That way, you can have the necessary adjustments performed to ensure that the appliance fits as comfortably as possible while you’re away from home.

4. Remember to Clean Your Oral Appliance

Traveling may be your chance to get away from your regular routine, but some habits should be kept up even while you’re on vacation. Naturally, this includes cleaning your oral appliance to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. When you take your appliance out of your mouth in the morning, don’t forget to rinse it off. Make sure that it’s dry before you put it back in its storage case.

5. Practice Good Sleep Habits

In addition to wearing your oral appliance, it’s also important to maintain the right sleep habits in order to manage your sleep apnea. This means going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning; maintaining a consistent sleep schedule even while you’re traveling can go a long way toward improving the quality of your slumber.

About the Author

Dr. Ivan Paskalev is dedicated to caring for those in need, and he considers sleep dental medicine to be an extension of that. He is currently pursuing the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine’s Mastery Program, and he is proud to be able to offer various kinds of oral appliances to help his patients manage their sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Paskalev at Better Sleep Eugene, visit his website or call (541) 246-8284.