Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that affects over 22 million Americans. It causes your body to frequently wake throughout the night, making you feel lethargic and less functional during the day. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, you’re probably looking for ways to help you get a full night’s rest. Although you might think sleeping pills are an effective solution, they can actually do more harm than good – here’s why.
What Happens If You Take Sleeping Pills While Suffering from Sleep Apnea?
Sleeping pills (also known as sedative-hypnotics) are designed to relax your mind and body, helping you fall into a much-needed deep sleep. However, if you’re already suffering from sleep apnea, the last thing you need is additional relaxation. The ingredients in sleeping pills can have an adverse effect on those who suffer from sleep apnea because they cause your throat muscles to relax. As you can imagine, that can be problematic for those with the disorder because it only worsens the bouts of apnea.
How Sleeping Pills Can Worsen Your Sleep Apnea
If you only take sleeping pills and don’t do anything else to address your sleep apnea, you could experience the following severe side effects:
- Excessive fatigue throughout the day
- Shortened attention span and impaired memory
- High blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems
- Diabetes
- Depression, irritability, and mood swings
- Loud snoring
The Best Solution for Sleep Apnea
Do you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea? Are you constantly experiencing insomnia but aren’t sure of the cause? Regardless of what your situation is, you should avoid taking any kind of medication until you’ve been examined and diagnosed. A sleep dentist can evaluate your condition and suggest an appropriate treatment for your needs. They might suggest you use an oral appliance, which repositions your mouth in a way that prevents soft tissues and muscles from collapsing and obstructing the flow of air. These are often preferable over a CPAP machine, which can have uncomfortable air pressure, facial masks, and loud sounds. Your sleep dentist may also recommend you make a few lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms. That includes sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed, and losing weight.
Are you looking for an effective way to get a good night’s sleep? Don’t be hasty when looking for solutions as the wrong treatment could easily result in bigger problems. Contact your sleep dentist instead – you can trust they’ll provide you with an option you can rely on!
About the Practice
At Sleep Better Baytown, we offer proven, FDA-approved alternatives to CPAP treatment for sleep apnea. Our goal is to help you get higher-quality rest and lead a happier, healthier life. To learn more about how sleeping pills can affect sleep apnea, visit our website or call (281) 688-2104.