{"id":334,"date":"2023-04-06T01:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T01:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stevewcobbdds.com\/blog\/?p=334"},"modified":"2023-05-18T01:38:33","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T01:38:33","slug":"why-you-shouldnt-nap-with-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stevewcobbdds.com\/blog\/why-you-shouldnt-nap-with-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Napping Isn\u2019t a Good Idea When You Have Sleep Apnea"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sleep apnea<\/a> actively prevents you from getting enough sleep at night thanks to interruptions in your breathing repeatedly forcing your brain to wake you up. What can you do about this lack of rest? At first glance, it may seem like taking a nap might help; in truth, it could ultimately end up causing more problems than it solves. Here\u2019s why napping often isn\u2019t the best choice when you\u2019re in the middle of sleep apnea treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Should You Avoid Napping with Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of all, despite what you might think, getting a little bit of rest during the day won\u2019t make up for any sleep lost due to apnea episodes. This is because sleep is actually cumulative; people who get less slumber on average tend to have a greater sleep debt that can\u2019t be covered by napping alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another issue is that napping can throw off your circadian rhythm, which is the term for your body\u2019s normal 24-hour cycle. People who take naps often have a harder time falling asleep at night \u2013 which is not a problem you want to have when you\u2019re already dealing with sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, being as tired as possible makes it easier to drift off even while you\u2019re still getting used to a new oral appliance; since napping leaves you feeling less tired at night, it could make it harder to adjust to your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So What Can You Do Instead to Make Managing Sleep Apnea Easier?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While napping may not be a viable remedy, there are plenty of other steps you can take to improve your rest when you have a sleep disorder. In addition to talking to a professional about what kinds of treatment are available, you can also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n