Napping: Is It a Hack or Trap For People with Sleep Apnea?

Living with sleep apnea is hard—it’s basically impossible to be a good friend, partner, or parent when you feel moments away from dozing off at all times. For many people in this situation, they turn to something that used to be quite common in their childhood—regular napping. While this might seem like a simple hack, it can make life much more complicated. Before you try to catch some extra Z’s, keep reading to see what actually works.

Should You Nap if You Have Sleep Apnea?

The mental math here seems pretty simple. You’re not getting enough quality rest at night, so taking a nap in the middle of the day can make up for it. It doesn’t cost anything, you don’t have to see a doctor, and you’ll feel rested, right?

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

There are two caveats when it comes to napping with sleep apnea. Firstly, you will still have apnea episodes while napping, meaning you might not feel that refreshed when you wake up. And, you might have a harder time falling asleep at night, which will make you more tired the following day.

Plus, it can be tough to manage your nap with sleep apnea. Your sleep-deprived body will naturally want to conk out for hours when you might prefer a brisk 20-30 minutes. Forcing yourself to wake up with an alarm can result in you being extra groggy, which is the last thing you need!

A Real Sleep Apnea Solution

So napping is a bit of a trap, but you need to do SOMETHING about your sleep apnea. Thankfully, there are two simple solutions available right now at a place you might not expect: the dentist.

• Oral Appliance Treatment: A sleep dentist measures your bite and gives you a personalized mouthguard to wear to bed. It gently shifts the jaw so that your airway remains open throughout the night, resulting in uninterrupted breathing and sleep.
• Nightlase: A gentle laser procedure tightens up the tissue of the throat and mouth, creating a more open airway that is less likely to become blocked while you rest. In addition to reducing sleep apnea symptoms, it can also stop snoring for many people.

A nap probably sounds wonderful right now, but at best, it will be a temporary fix. If you really want to put sleep apnea behind you, working with a sleep dentist offers a straightforward and proven method that has already helped millions of people around the country in your exact situation.

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack graduated from the Baylor College of Dentistry, and she has helped patients overcome sleep apnea, snoring, and similar issues for over 20 years. At Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, she offers oral appliance treatment, Nightlase, and other solutions for patients who are tired of feeling tired. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Romack, visit her website or call (817) 594-3806.