Are you always tired? Do you find that taking a 20-minute power nap at midday helps you to feel rested? While you might think this is helping, the truth is that it may be hurting your ability to get a complete night’s rest. If you want to find out whether napping and sleep apnea are connected, read on to let a sleep expert explain.
Is There a Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Napping?
Naturally, you’ll want to get as much sleep as possible when suffering from sleep apnea. If you’re not getting it at night, why not try to sneak a small nap in during the day, right? Unfortunately, this can cause additional problems, and the reason is that it’s actually good to have what is known as “sleep debt.”
While it’s not good to be so tired that you can’t function, it’s best to avoid naps because they can make it harder to fall asleep when it is time to go to bed.
When undergoing sleep apnea treatment, like oral appliance therapy, you’ll want to make sure that you’re tired when it comes time to turn in. Otherwise, you’ll find that you stay up later and miss out on the necessary sleep schedule that you should set for yourself while navigating sleep apnea treatment.
What Are Some Effective Ways to Wind Down?
If you are already wearing an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea, you’ll want to make sure that you adhere to a few simple tips:
- Turn off your cell phone and all other devices at least one hour before going to bed.
- Set a sleep schedule that ensures you go to bed at the same time every night.
- Try to sleep on your side, as this can help to reduce apnea episodes.
- Incorporate exercise to help lose any additional weight that might exist, especially around your neck.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking, as this can worsen snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
If you use a CPAP, you may find that adjusting to the bulkiness of the device is problematic, causing you to lose out on much-needed rest. Instead, ask your dentist about oral appliance therapy.
This custom device can be worn while asleep and helps to move your jaw forward so that obstruction doesn’t occur throughout the night, and you are able to breathe freely.
So, the next time you think about taking a nap, consider an alternative solution like drinking a glass of water or going for a walk so that you can get a better night’s rest when it really counts.
About the Practice
Indy Dental Group consists of a team of dentists who are skilled and highly trained to treat patients with all types of issues. Patients who come to our state-of-the-art facility can expect a welcoming and comfortable experience, complete with the latest in advanced technology. We want to help individuals breathe better, which is why we offer oral appliance therapy. If you are struggling to get a good night’s rest, contact us at (317) 846-6125 to learn how we can help.