The Link Between Depression and Sleep Apnea
Have you been struggling with depression? Although there are many things that can cause depression, you should also be aware that there is a link between depression and sleep apnea, a serious sleep problem.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
In patients with sleep apnea, breathing is disrupted during sleep – this can happen hundreds of times during the night without you even realizing it. This, of course, makes it hard to get quality sleep, and you may find it difficult to get through the next day because you are simply exhausted. You may also have dry mouth or sore throat, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
There are some factors that may increase your risk for sleep apnea. For instance, men are twice as likely to have it than women; it occurs more often in adults who are over 60; and if you are overweight you may have too much tissue around your upper airway, which can obstruct breathing and lead to sleep apnea.
What Is the Link Between Depression and Sleep Apnea?
Not getting a good night's sleep is enough to get you in a bad mood, but if you have sleep apnea it can do more than that. Consistently not getting enough sleep can start to change your brain activity, which affects your energy levels, which can make it difficult for your brain to fight off depression and anxiety. Fortunately, there are different options for treating sleep apnea to help your energy levels and your state of mind.
Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is typically the first line of treatment, may patients find CPAP machines difficult to use. Oral appliance therapy is another option. An oral appliance is simply a plastic device you wear at night that helps to keep your airway open so that you can breathe freely and have an uninterrupted night of sleep.
How is sleep apnea affecting you and your quality of life? It is bad not only for your physical health but your mental health as well. Contact eos dental sleep for more information about oral appliance therapy to treat your sleep apnea. Call the office in Philadelphia at (215) 241-0700 today!