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Can Summer Aggravate Sleep Apnea?

July 10, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — stopsnoringlawton @ 2:04 am

Woman with sleep apnea in Lawton in summer sun.Do you struggle to get a good night’s rest because you have obstructive sleep apnea in Lawton? You’re not alone. Thankfully, you are breathing easier and sleeping better because you have a personalized treatment plan. Whether you use a CPAP or an oral appliance, your symptoms have improved significantly; however, recently you’ve noticed a change. It’s not your imagination. As the temperatures rise, summer can affect your sleep apnea and how you’re feeling throughout the day.

How Can Summer Affect Your Sleep?

During the warm months of summer, you’ll spend more time relaxing, so you probably expect to feel well-rested. Unfortunately, the opposite has occurred. You might attribute it to your sleep apnea treatment no longer being effective, but that may not be the cause. Instead, here are 3 things that can affect your sleep during the summer:

  1. Reduced amount of sleep. There are more hours of daylight during the summer, so it’s easy to stay up later. Although it gives you more time during the day, interrupting your sleep schedule can cause you to break another habit, like remembering to use your CPAP or oral appliance.
  2. Enjoying time outdoors. The warm months of summer are great for outdoor adventures; however, if you’re an allergy sufferer, it can lead to nasal congestion. This can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms by causing more restriction in your airways.
  3. More time traveling. Summer vacations are great escapes, allowing you to unwind and enjoy the weather, but don’t forget to pack your CPAP or oral appliance. Even missing 1 or 2 nights of treatment can cause your symptoms to worsen.

Improve Your Sleep Quality

If summer is impacting your sleep in Lawton, you can get the rest you need by following a few simple tips:

  1. Create the right environment. Studies show people sleep the best in a dark, cool room. You can also use a fan to lower the temperature while also creating soothing noise to help you drift to sleep.
  2. Limit your sun exposure. Depending on where you live, it can stay light outside for many hours after the evening, which can delay your body’s production of melatonin. It’s best to limit your sun exposure in the evening to ensure the hormone correctly balances your sleep and wake cycles.
  3. Relax and enjoy the summer. Take some time before bed to sit down and relax. It’s best to enjoy activities that don’t require screen time, like reading your favorite book.

Sleep Better Tonight

If adjusting your sleep habits doesn’t improve your symptoms, don’t wait to get the relief you need. Contact your sleep specialist right away.

About Dr. David J. Drummond

Dr. David J. Drummond has undergone advanced training in many areas of specialty, including oral surgery, pedodontics, endodontics, and prosthodontics. He is also a sleep apnea expert. He offers the latest solutions to help his patients breathe easier. If summer has aggravated your sleep apnea symptoms, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.

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