Can Sleeping Pills Help If You Have Sleep Apnea?

When you have sleep apnea, your body frequently wakes up during the night, and you could even suffer from bouts of insomnia. So naturally, you might think that sleeping pills in Weatherford could be a potential solution to this problem – or at the very least help you get some much-needed rest. In reality, though, taking sleeping pills while suffering from even mild sleep apnea could be one of the worst decisions you could make, and there’s an extremely good chance that your condition will get even worse. Read on to learn why a sleeping aid could do more harm than good if your breathing is being interrupted at night.

What Happens When You Take Sleeping Pills While Suffering from Sleep Apnea?

 Sleeping pills work by relaxing your mind and body – but if you’re already suffering from sleep apnea, additional relaxation in your body is probably the last thing you need! The disorder often occurs when your tongue or your soft palate falls backwards and blocks the airway, making difficult to breathe. The muscles in the tongue and soft palate already lose much of their muscular tone while you’re asleep; with the addition of sleeping pills, the relaxation becomes even worse. As a result, your sleep apnea is likely to become even more severe than it already is.

What Can Happen If Sleeping Pills Worsen Your Sleep Apnea?

If you continue to take sleeping pills and don’t take any other steps to address your sleep apnea, you could start experiencing the most severe side effects of the disorder. This includes:

• Frequent exhaustion during the day
• A shortened attention span and impaired memory
• High blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems
• Diabetes
• Depression, irritability, and mood swings
• Loud snoring that could keep your partner awake

What Should You Do If You Think You Have Sleep Apnea?

If you think you might have sleep apnea in Weatherford, or if you’re suffering from insomnia but aren’t sure of the cause, you should avoid any kind of medication until you’ve been examined and diagnosed. Your sleep dentist can then suggest an appropriate form of treatment. Much of the time, they’ll provide you with an oral appliance that repositions the mouth in a way that prevents soft tissues and muscles from collapsing and obstructing the flow of air. These appliances are considered a more comfortable and convenient alternative to a traditional CPAP machine.

Your dentist might also suggest a few lifestyle changes that could help you overcome your symptoms. For example, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed, and losing weight can all help lessen the effects of sleep apnea.

Getting enough rest every night is vital for staying healthy, but try not to be hasty when looking for an answer for low quality sleep; the wrong treatment could easily lead to any bigger problems. Always turn to a sleep expert you can trust in order to find a treatment option you can rely on!

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack has been practicing in Weatherford ever since graduating from the Baylor College of Dentistry with honors in 1998. She’s attended numerous courses on obstructive sleep apnea and has the knowledge and technology to identify the symptoms of sleep breathing disorders so that they can be treated. To schedule an appointment at her practice, Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, visit her website or call (817) 594-3806.