Sleep Assessment
When left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your overall well-being. You may already be aware that it can increase your risk for heart problems and leave you feeling excessively tired during your waking hours. But did you know that the disorder can also be linked to feelings of anxiety? Below is a closer look at how sleep apnea can potentially be connected to your mental health.
What Does It Mean When You Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It is associated with repeated pauses in your breathing that occur while you’re asleep. These breathing interruptions can disrupt your sleep cycle, making it extremely difficult to get a sufficient amount of quality rest. In most cases, sleep apnea is a consequence of the airway being partially or completely blocked; this is known as obstructive sleep apnea.
How is Sleep Apnea Linked to Anxiety?
Sleep disordered breathing is often accompanied by feelings of anxiety. In fact, one study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that around 32% of patients who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea exhibited anxious symptoms.
This relationship can be partially explained by the impact sleep apnea has on your body. When your breathing temporarily stops during a sleep apnea episode, your heart rate goes up, and stress hormones are released. If this happens on a nightly basis, it can leave you in a state of high alert during the day, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety.
Furthermore, sleep apnea actively prevents you from getting a good night’s rest. This is significant because a lack of sleep can make it more difficult for your brain to properly deal with stress, thereby exacerbating anxious feelings.
It should be noted that anxiety can potentially worsen sleep apnea. When you’re feeling anxious, you may have a harder time falling asleep. Since sleep deprivation is already one of the side effects of sleep apnea, anxiety can make this particular symptom even more severe.
How Can You Manage Your Sleep Apnea and Anxiety?
If you want to protect your physical and mental health, you should take steps to have sleep apnea and anxiety addressed as promptly as possible. Sleep apnea can often be treated with a customized oral appliance that moves the lower jaw slightly forward. Wearing this device at night can help you maintain a clear airway, thus lowering the chances of your breathing being interrupted.
There are multiple ways to address feelings of anxiety. In some cases, you may benefit from seeing a therapist. You can also try engaging in activities that help lower stress, such as meditation.
The sooner you get sleep apnea and anxiety under control, the sooner you can start enjoying more restful nights again and improve the overall quality of your life.
About the Practice
At Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental, our team is dedicated to helping patients in Topeka find lasting relief from sleep apnea. Led by Dr. Michael E. Michel, we specialize in providing comfortable oral appliances that have been expertly personalized for each patient. If sleep apnea is leaving you feeling exhausted, we’re here to help. Request an appointment today or call us at (785) 273-0801 to schedule an appointment with us and take the first step toward truly restful sleep.