4 Things That Can Make Your Sleep Apnea Worse

Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that, if not treated quickly enough, could potentially put your life in danger. It’s important to act quickly to address your sleep apnea symptoms – but at the same time, you need to be careful to avoid doing anything that could make the situation even more dire. Are you trying to manage sleep apnea? Be sure to take note of the following 4 factors that could make it worse.

1. Gaining Weight

About 70 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea are obese. Being overweight often means that there’s a greater chance of your airway becoming blocked due to fat deposits in the neck. Even worse, sleep apnea can cause you to gain more weight, resulting in a vicious cycle. In many cases, losing weight could be an important step for getting your sleep disorder under control. Remember that you can always speak to your regular physician if you need help managing your weight.

2. Drinking Alcohol Right Before Bed

One of the effects of alcohol is that it causes your muscles to relax. Unfortunately, this includes the muscles in your throat; if they become too relaxed, they will be much more likely to block your airway while you’re asleep. For the sake of the quality of your slumber, it’s best to stay away from alcohol for at least a few hours before your regular bedtime.

3. Sleeping on Your Back

When you sleep on your back, gravity can cause your tongue to fall back towards your throat, potentially blocking the flow of air and worsening your sleep apnea symptoms. It’s recommended that you switch to sleeping on your side to reduce the risk of airway obstruction. One way to do this is to put a small object (like a tennis ball) on the back of your pajama top; this will make sleeping on your back less comfortable than sleeping on your side, thus discouraging your body from rolling around while you slumber.    

4. Using Specific Medications

Some medications are known to relax your throat muscles and can therefore make sleep apnea more severe. Common culprits include muscle relaxants, painkillers such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and (ironically) sleep aids. Check to see if any of the medications that you’re currently taking might be contributing to your sleep apnea; sometimes it may be possible to solve the problem by getting a different prescription.

The more you know about the factors that can make sleep apnea worse, the more success you’ll have when it comes to treating the disorder. Talk to your sleep dentist today to see if there’s anything else you should avoid if you want to get a better night’s rest.

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack studied at Baylor College of Dentistry. She has completed courses on obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and other related topics. She knows how to recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea, and she can treat it with oral appliance therapy as well as NightLase laser therapy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Romack at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, visit her website or call (817) 594-3806.