Sleep Assessment
In today’s digital world, using your cell phone before bed has become an ingrained habit for many of us. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, watching news clips, or chatting with your closest friends, this seemingly harmless activity can actually disrupt your sleep cycle – and exacerbate conditions such as sleep apnea! Continue reading to learn a little more about sleep apnea and how cell phone usage, among other things, can cause problems whenever it’s time to hit the hay.
How Does Cell Phone Usage Impact My Sleep?
Cell phones, or any sort of digital screen for that matter, negatively impact our ability to sleep due to their emission of blue light. During the day, you’re naturally exposed to blue light – it comes from the sun, among other light sources that are found everywhere. This type of light is useful during the daytime; it sends signals to your brain, disrupting your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps you fall asleep. However, you absolutely want your body to produce melatonin when it’s time for bed, and the blue light that comes from phone screens, televisions, and other devices can block its production.
Of course, the mental aspect of using a smart device before bedtime also shouldn’t be ignored. Simply put, you’re continuing to work your brain as you scroll through your phone, even if it feels like you’re zoning out.
All of these effects are worsened for patients with sleep apnea; their bodies are already struggling to enter REM sleep due to insufficient blood oxygen levels. If their bodies aren’t producing enough melatonin, they will struggle to fall asleep – and assuming they can fall asleep, their apnea symptoms are likely to stir them awake.
How Can I Improve My Overall Quality of Sleep?
One of the most important things you can do is to search for ways to minimize the impact of blue light, especially as you’re nearing bedtime. Rather than letting your brain get tricked into thinking it’s daytime, set up your bedroom so that there’s a low amount of blue light and no other distractions that might keep you awake. Instead of screen time right before bed, try reading a book or magazine, listening to music or a podcast, or doing a light activity such as a puzzle, knitting or crocheting, or something else simple and low stakes.
Of course, if you suffer from sleep apnea, nothing is as effective as professional treatment. Sleep apnea isn’t a problem that will go away on its own; however, its symptoms can often be effectively managed through means such as oral appliance therapy. These devices ensure that the airway is positioned for proper airflow throughout the nighttime, letting patients get the restful sleep their bodies need.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you shouldn’t shy away from speaking with a professional about treatment. However, if you know that you tend to scroll, text, or binge-watch before bedtime, also consider putting your phone down well before it’s time to catch some Z’s – your sleep will only benefit!
About the Practice
Sleep Solutions & TMJ Pain Therapy by Michel Dental has served patients in Topeka and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide range of sleep apnea treatment options, including oral appliance therapy, as well as combined therapy for certain complex cases. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the practice to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for further information or assistance. Telephone: (785) 273-0801.