Should I Take a Nap if I Have Sleep Apnea?

It has been a long day working around the house, and you’re exhausted. You sit down and sink into your couch only to find yourself lying down for a quick nap. Convincing yourself that this will help you have the energy to power through the rest of the day, you later discover that your ability to sleep throughout the night is increasingly difficult. Are napping and sleep apnea not a good mixture? In this article, we will look at the reasons why “resting your eyes” once or twice a day can negatively impact your sleep apnea treatment.

Why is Napping with Sleep Apnea a Bad Thing?

When diagnosed with sleep apnea, you might assume that a brief nap can help ensure that you are not a walking zombie the rest of the day. You might also think that by resting for a short while, you’ll catch up on any sleep you missed the night before. Unfortunately, if you have a sleep disorder, napping will actually do more harm than good. Why? Because whether you are currently receiving treatment, people tend to forgo their CPAP when taking a quick snooze. Even if it’s only for 30 minutes, you can still experience episodes of apnea, which will inhibit your ability to get quality sleep.

The best piece of advice you can receive concerning napping and sleep apnea is to always make sure you’re using your CPAP machine or oral appliance anytime you are resting. It doesn’t matter where you are or how long you nap.

Ways You Can Get Better Sleep at Night

While a nap may not always be avoidable, it’s strongly recommended that you avoid them if at all possible. These brief snoozes throughout the day can mess with your sleep schedule, making it much harder to rest at night. It is far better if you skip the nap and try to get a full 8-9 hours of sleep each night. You might also try:

• Putting away your cell phone and avoiding the television at least one hour before going to bed
• Not picking up a book and starting to read when laying down in bed
• Avoiding alcohol several hours before turning in at night

Why Oral Appliance Therapy is More User-Friendly

If you’ve been using a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, there’s a good chance you’re tired of the bulky and awkward equipment you must tote around and wear. Traveling with this type of device isn’t easy and often requires many additional steps if you are trying to clear TSA at the airport. Instead of lugging around your CPAP, you will find that oral appliance therapy is much easier to use and more comfortable to wear. Instead of straps and devices worn over your face and on your head, these small oral appliances are customized to your needs and fit snugly in your mouth.

As a result, you will have a portable way to sleep better no matter where you choose to lay your head. Whether you plan to take a nap during the day or call it a night, you can quickly insert your oral appliance and worry less about experiencing episodes of apnea.

Getting restful sleep is important, which is why you’ll want to consider an easy-to-use solution like oral appliance therapy. Not only will you rest better throughout the night (or day), but you’ll also begin to breathe easier.

About the Author
Dr. Stephen Dean is a trusted sleep apnea dentist who received his doctorate at the Medical University of South Carolina. He then completed continuing education at the Dawson Academy and the Pankey Institute. With a passion for sleep apnea therapy, he has undergone numerous trainings and advanced courses to provide exceptional care for patients who cannot breathe and rest well at night. If you are suffering from sleep apnea and need a viable treatment method, contact us via our website or by calling (770) 710-5268.