Sleep Assessment
When left untreated, sleep apnea can take a toll on your quality of life in a variety of ways. Not only can it leave you feeling exhausted and make it hard to focus during the day, but it could even affect your emotional well-being. In fact, research indicates that sleep apnea is often linked to symptoms of depression. Here’s a closer look at the nature of this connection as well as the steps you can take to get the rest you deserve.
What Happens When You Have Sleep Apnea?
Having sleep apnea means that your breathing is repeatedly stopping and restarting while you’re asleep. These pauses are typically caused by the airway being physically obstructed, and in severe cases, they can occur hundreds of times in a single night. Whenever your breathing stops, your brain is forced to wake your body up to get some air. These constant interruptions of your sleep cycle can make it very difficult to enjoy quality slumber.
How are Sleep Apnea and Depression Related?
One study performed in 2018 indicated that 35% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (the most common form of sleep apnea) also experienced symptoms of depression. Furthermore, the two conditions can sometimes be mistaken for each other due to sharing a number of warning signs, including fatigue, memory problems, and losing interest in hobbies.
On top of that, not only do sleep apnea and depression often occur together, but they also have a bidirectional relationship. This means that one can easily make the other worse. At the same time, having sleep apnea treated can go a long way toward reducing depression.
What Can You Do About Sleep Apnea and Depression?
To protect yourself from the impact that sleep apnea can have on your physical and mental well-being, you should have an expert diagnose and address it as quickly as possible. The traditional way to treat sleep apnea is with a CPAP machine. However, if you’re CPAP intolerant, your sleep dentist may suggest an oral appliance instead. This device can slightly reposition the jaw in order to keep the airway unobstructed throughout the night.
It should be noted that while addressing sleep apnea can help with depression, treating the former doesn’t guarantee that the latter will go away. As such, it’s a good idea to speak to a professional to see what they recommend for improving your mental health.
Whether they occur together or not, sleep apnea and depression are two problems you can’t afford to ignore; if you have reason to suspect that you’re suffering from one or both of these issues, it’s best to get the care you need as quickly as possible so that you can improve your quality of life.
About the Author
Dr. Michael E. Michel opened his first dental office in Topeka in 1981. He has spent decades pursuing advanced training and continuing education in dental sleep medicine. As a result, he has years of knowledge and experience when it comes to treating sleep apnea. He can provide his patients with fully personalized oral appliances to help them overcome their sleep disordered breathing. If you’re looking for a solution for sleep apnea, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Michel at Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental by visiting his website or calling (785) 273-0801.