Why is Your Sleep Apnea Worse in the Summer?

Summer: that amazing time of year when you get to relax with your family! Whether it’s enjoying a refreshing swim, grilling your favorite meal, or participating in many other amazing summer activities, this time of year can often be full of leisure. However, if you have sleep apnea in Weatherford, the warmer months may hurt your ability to rest. Read on to learn why summer can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms.

Reduced Amount of Sleep

With the summer comes more sun, but these extra hours of daylight can automatically lead to less shut eye. When the days get longer, your circadian rhythm can change, causing your sleep-wake cycle to become unbalanced.

Time Spent Outdoors

If you have allergies, the summer months may exacerbate your sleep apnea because of all the extra time spent outdoors. Nasal congestion and other allergy-related symptoms can make it even harder to breathe during the night, leading to more severe sleep apnea symptoms.

More Travel

Your kids are out of school, and the weather is perfect, making this time of year a great opportunity for traveling. If you forget to bring your sleep apnea appliance, or if you skip a few nights because you’re on vacation, the symptoms you experience in the following days will only worsen. It’s vital to use your CPAP machine or oral appliance every night so you can be rested, focused, and ready for the next day.

How to Get Better Sleep

While the added daylight and activities may be out of your control, there are some steps you can take to give yourself a better chance at a good night’s sleep, including:

• Creating a comfortable environment: Make sure your bedroom is dark and cool for the best sleeping environment. A fan can decrease the temperature in your room while also making a soothing noise. If your room gets hot and/or bright due to the sun, consider investing in blackout curtains.
• Make time to relax: Outdoor fun and activities with your family are healthy and encouraged, but give yourself some time to wind down before bed. Do something relaxing and limit your screen time to set yourself up for a night of counting sheep.
• Limit exposure to sun in the evening: When it stays light well into the evening, your body’s production of a hormone that controls your sleep cycle, melatonin, gets delayed. That said, if you limit your exposure to the sun a few hours before bed, your chances of restful sleep increase.

If you’re still tired and can’t sleep despite implementing all these tips, be sure to consult your doctor so you can enjoy this amazing time of year AND get a full night’s sleep.

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Deborah A. Romack has decades of dental experience, and she has specialized in sleep apnea treatment ever since 2005. She’s taken numerous continuing education courses in sleep apnea, airway obstruction, and more to help her Weatherford patients sleep better. She offers custom-made oral appliances as an effective alternative to the traditional CPAP machine. For any questions, she can be reached through her website or by phone at (817) 594-3806.