There’s nothing like taking a quick power nap to rejuvenate your day when you’re feeling tired. Research shows that naps can contribute to greater alertness, improved mood, and better memory. However, if you are affected by sleep apnea, taking a nap can actually do more harm than good. Keep reading to discover the dangers of napping with sleep apnea and learn simple tips to help you fall asleep.
Napping and Sleep Apnea
Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, stroke, and other serious health conditions. However, if you have sleep apnea, you will likely experience dangerous breathing interruptions any time you fall asleep, even if it’s just for a few minutes. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment can help you avoid this problem, you probably aren’t dragging your CPAP machine to work or school. For this reason, you should avoid napping during the day.
In addition, if you steal 15 or 20 minutes of shuteye in the afternoon, you may have more trouble falling asleep at night. This is especially true if you are new to CPAP treatment and are still getting used to sleeping with the mask on. Ideally, you want to feel good and tired by the time you go to bed, so it will be easier to fall asleep with your CPAP equipment.
Simple Tips to Improve Sleep
Here are some helpful tips for resting that won’t interfere with your sleep apnea treatment:
- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.
- Limit your consumption of alcohol, especially at night.
- Avoid eating large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime.
- Stay away from computer screens and televisions for one hour before bed.
- Make your bed a “no phone zone” and read a book instead.
- Consider using earplugs or wearing an eye mask while sleeping.
- Write a list of any worries you may have on a notepad and then set it aside for tomorrow.
- Limit daytime naps.
Time to Switch Sleep Apnea Treatments?
If you’re currently using a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea but still feel tired during the day, you should explore other treatment options. Many patients find CPAP machines to be uncomfortable or noisy, which can interfere with quality sleep.
An effective alternative to a CPAP machine is oral appliance therapy. An oral appliance is a small, custom-made mouthpiece that is worn while you sleep. This device makes slight changes to your jaw position to keep your airway open at night. If worn consistently, an oral appliance can help you get a good night’s sleep and reduce daytime drowsiness.
If you want to improve the quality of your sleep and protect your overall health, don’t hesitate to contact a sleep dentist near you.
About the Author
Dr. David Drummond is the dentist Lawton residents trust to help them overcome sleep apnea. A former member of the United States Army Dental Corps, he offers a wide range of oral appliances to address specific patient needs and improve the quantity and quality of sleep. To learn more about napping and sleep apnea treatment, visit the Stop Snoring Lawton website or call 580-355-0344.