Most people have some idea of what sleep apnea is, and a little bit of an understanding of what it entails. They might be aware that it can lead people to snore, that some people wake up during the night because of it, and that some may need to wear masks while sleeping to deal with it.
However, sleep apnea is an incredibly complex condition with multivariate effects, both physical and mental. For example, did you know that sleep apnea has been connected with depression? If you want to learn more about what sleep apnea is and what it can do to the body, here’s some information you might find interesting.
What is Sleep Apnea?
First of all, it’s important to know a bit more about what sleep apnea actually entails if you want to understand more about the condition. Broadly speaking, sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep, forcing you to wake up. This is usually to do with the soft tissue in the throat obstructing the airways.
People with sleep apnea are forced awake dozens, sometimes hundreds, of times a night.
Is Depression a Symptom of Sleep Apnea?
Restless sleep can cause all kinds of problems, especially long-term. Think about how you feel when you go for a single night without sleep, and imagine what if would feel like if you went years without a decent one.
This can cause headaches, chronic exhaustion, and a host of other physical symptoms. However, as you can imagine, it can also affect how you feel mentally.
A recent study by the CDC found that sleep apnea patients were at much higher risk of suffering from depression. This means that leaving the condition untreated could lead to increased melancholy, poor appetite, fatigue, poor focus, and several other mental issues in addition to its myriad health effects.
What if I Have Sleep Apnea?
If you feel like you might have sleep apnea, it’s usually worth at least examining that further. You can visit a sleep dentist or sleep doctor and they’ll be able to ask you questions to determine whether sleep apnea could be affecting your life, and recommend a course of action.
Treatment usually comes in the form of a CPAP machine, though if a bulky mask doesn’t sound appealing, oral appliances can be just as effective for some patients.
About the Author
Dr. Jay A. Nelson understands the importance of a good night’s sleep, which is why he has devoted his dental career to helping people breathe better at night. He works tirelessly to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in sleep dentistry, and his patients reap the benefits of his efforts. Dr. Nelson is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, The American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, and the American Board of Sleep & Breathing.
If you have any questions about sleep apnea, he can be reached at our website or by phone at (813) 733-4169.