The number of people diagnosed with sleep apnea has been increasing in recent years. Likewise, cases of anxiety have also been on the rise. As these two conditions become more and more common, they often appear to go hand in hand, with sleep apnea patients often suffering from anxiety as well. What do these two completely different conditions have to do with each other? And what should you do about them? Read on to learn more about anxiety and sleep apnea in Lawton.
What are Sleep Apnea and Anxiety?
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in your breathing while you’re asleep. Such pauses can occur multiple times in a single hour, and they often force the brain to wake the body up briefly so that breathing can resume. Untreated sleep apnea can be tied to chronic exhaustion as well as heart problems and other serious health issues.
Anxiety is simply your body’s response to stress. It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious during a stressful situation, but if it reaches the point where you are unable to cope or go through your normal activities of daily living, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
How are Sleep Apnea and Anxiety Linked?
Sleep apnea and anxiety share some common symptoms (such as insomnia and elevated blood pressure), and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed with one if you already have the other. The two conditions are known to make each other worse over time. Sleep apnea prevents your brain from getting the rest it needs to be able to deal with stress, and that can aggravate an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, excessive worrying and anxiousness can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep – which is particularly problematic when you already have a sleep disorder. Even if sleep apnea and anxiety don’t always directly cause each other, treating one can go a long way towards helping you overcome the other.
How Can You Treat Sleep Apnea and Anxiety?
The most common form of sleep apnea therapy is CPAP, but patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea can get an oral appliance instead; many people find the latter treatment to be much more comfortable and convenient. Naturally, you’ll need different forms of therapy if you wish to treat your anxiety directly. That being said, it has been found that treating sleep apnea can also reduce anxiety symptoms, which makes it all the more important to seek prompt care for both conditions.
If you think you might be experiencing sleep apnea or that your anxiety may be linked to a sleep disorder, call your sleep dentist in Lawton right away to set up a consultation and learn more about the steps you’ll need to take to improve your quality of life.
About the Author
Dr. Drummond graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago in 1982. Afterwards, he entered the United States Army Dental Corps, where he received advanced training in a number of dental procedures. Today he is proud to use his dental knowledge in order to help those suffering from sleep apnea that is contributing to anxiety and other health issues. To schedule a consultation at his practice in Lawton, visit his website or call (580) 355-0344.