Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the night. These interruptions can prevent you from getting the restorative sleep your body needs, leaving you feeling exhausted, irritable, and unfocused during the day. While sleep apnea can develop for several reasons, certain lifestyle habits and health conditions can make symptoms significantly worse. Learn more by reading below about 7 factors that can worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
1. Gaining Weight
Excess weight is one of the most common risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea. When you carry extra weight, fatty tissue can accumulate around your neck and upper airway, making it easier for the airway to become blocked during sleep.
Even relatively small amounts of weight gain can worsen symptoms in some individuals. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity and a balanced diet may help reduce the severity of sleep apnea.
2. Drinking Alcohol Before Bed
Although alcohol may initially make you feel sleepy, drinking before bedtime can negatively affect your breathing during sleep. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, making them more likely to collapse and obstruct your airway.
It can also interfere with normal sleep patterns and make existing sleep apnea symptoms worse. Avoiding alcohol close to bedtime may help improve nighttime breathing.
3. Sleeping on Your Back
Your sleeping position can influence how frequently sleep apnea episodes occur. When you sleep on your back, gravity can cause your tongue and soft tissues to move toward the back of your throat, narrowing your airway.
For some people, sleeping on their side can help keep the airway more open and reduce breathing interruptions. This approach, known as positional therapy, may be particularly helpful for individuals with positional obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Smoking
Smoking can irritate the tissues lining your upper airway, leading to inflammation and swelling. This can make your airway narrower and increase the likelihood of breathing obstructions during sleep.
Smoking may also contribute to increased mucus production and congestion, further interfering with normal breathing. Quitting smoking can improve respiratory health and may help reduce some sleep apnea symptoms.
5. Nasal Congestion and Allergies
Breathing through your nose can become difficult when you have allergies, sinus problems, or chronic nasal congestion. Blocked nasal passages may increase breathing resistance and contribute to disrupted sleep.
Although nasal congestion isn’t necessarily the cause of sleep apnea, addressing allergies and other nasal problems can make nighttime breathing more comfortable. Talk with your healthcare provider about appropriate treatment options.
6. Certain Medications
Some medications, particularly sedatives, tranquilizers, and opioid pain medications, can affect muscle activity and breathing during sleep. They may worsen existing sleep-disordered breathing or increase the risk of respiratory complications.
Never stop taking prescribed medication on your own. If you have sleep apnea, discuss your medications with your healthcare provider to determine whether adjustments are appropriate.
7. Getting Older
Age is another factor that can influence sleep apnea symptoms. As you get older, the muscles and tissues supporting your airway may lose some of their natural tone. This can make airway collapse more likely during sleep.
Although you cannot prevent aging, maintaining healthy habits and seeking appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms as you get older.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health concerns, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased daytime accident risk. If you regularly snore loudly, wake up gasping for air, or experience excessive daytime sleepiness, talk with your healthcare provider about a sleep evaluation.
About the Practice
Have you tried a CPAP machine for your sleep apnea and just couldn’t make it work? Oral appliance therapy may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Drs. Torin Marracino and Nick Cockerell have years of advanced training in knowing the ideal airway function and can help you achieve a restful night’s sleep once again. Contact us online or call our Texarkana office at (903) 838-9700.