{"id":228,"date":"2022-02-15T17:33:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T17:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/?p=228"},"modified":"2022-03-16T17:35:42","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T17:35:42","slug":"can-alcohol-consumption-affect-your-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/15\/can-alcohol-consumption-affect-your-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Alcohol Consumption Affect Your Sleep Apnea?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"young<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some people claim that having a drink or two before bed helps them fall asleep easier. However, that\u2019s not necessarily true. In fact, a nightcap could be affecting your quality of shuteye more than you think. If you suffer from sleep apnea, drinking alcohol can increase your risk of apneic events and induce snoring by relaxing the muscles of the airway. With that in mind, read on to learn why people with this sleep disorder should avoid having a drink before bed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing studies have revealed that moderate or heavy drinking can lead to episodes of obstructive sleep apnea<\/a> even in people who aren\u2019t diagnosed with the condition. Since drinking alcohol can increase the time between when you stop breathing and when you \u201cwake up\u201d to breathe again, it can make your OSA worse. The increase in the severity of your apneic symptoms can lead to severe drops in your blood\u2019s oxygen levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol can also slow your breathing and relax the muscles of your throat, making it more likely for your upper airway to collapse. That can contribute to snoring (the vibration of soft tissues) and complete obstruction that occurs in sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should You Avoid Drinking Alcohol?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s strongly recommended that patients with sleep apnea abstain from all alcohol use. However, it\u2019s not easy for people to cut out alcohol completely, especially if they\u2019re used to drinking it occasionally. The best thing you can do is avoid consuming alcohol in the hours before bed to minimize its effects. Additionally, you need to make sure you\u2019re using your treatment for sleep apnea every night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Better Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Can\u2019t ditch the glass of wine you have every night for dinner? Here are some tips to keep your alcoholic drink from affecting your quality of sleep:<\/p>\n\n\n\n