Nighttime Frights — Can Sleep Apnea Give You Nightmares?

Everyone has nightmares from time to time. This experience can leave you feeling unsettled and ruin your whole day! The situation is even worse if the nightmares occur frequently. While there are a number of possible explanations for bad dreams, one possible culprit is sleep apnea. In this blog post, you will learn about the connection between these issues.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects millions of people across the United States. It is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. The most common form of this condition, known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when tissues in the throat block the upper airway.

OSA is known for causing snoring, daytime fatigue, mood swings, and a range of other symptoms. It is also associated with an increased risk of many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. It might even cause nightmares for some patients!

How Sleep Apnea Can Cause Nightmares

There is a strong connection between sleep apnea and bad dreams. Each time you stop breathing, it instigates a stress response within your body. This can cause you to wake up, often during REM sleep. Since most dreams occur during this stage of the sleep cycle, waking up suddenly may make your nightmares seem much more vivid and memorable.

Another connection between sleep apnea and nightmares is the fact that your real-world experiences can sneak into your dreams. Since your body stops breathing during apnea episodes, you may be more likely to experience disturbing dreams that feature suffocation or choking sensations.

An additional factor to consider is related to the overall poor sleep quality caused by OSA. Failure to get adequate rest each night can negatively affect your brain’s ability to regulate your emotions. More negative feelings, in turn, can contribute to nightmares.

What Steps Can You Take for Better Sleep?

Do you believe that sleep apnea is to blame for your nightmares? These steps may help you enjoy more peaceful rest:

• Schedule a consultation with a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis. Undergoing a sleep study will reveal whether or not you have sleep apnea, as well as how severe your condition is.
• Adhere to the treatment plan prescribed by your provider. Many patients find that a custom oral appliance from a dentist is the most effective and comfortable means of relieving their OSA symptoms.
• Take steps to manage any mental health challenges that might be contributing to your nightmares. If you experience symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or similar conditions, working with a mental health specialist may greatly improve your sleep and emotional well-being.
• Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol, especially during the hours leading up to bedtime. Both substances can increase the likelihood of sleep apnea episodes and make nightmares more common.

Sleep apnea is a nightmare, and it can cause nightmares, too! Fortunately, there are things you can do to enjoy more pleasant nights.

Meet the Practice

At Florida Dental Sleep Disorders, Drs. Yitta Garden and Kenneth Mogell specialize in providing oral sleep appliances for individuals with OSA. They have many years of experience in sleep dentistry, and are pleased to put their knowledge to work for patients in local communities. To learn more about our practice and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Boca Raton office at 561-353-5252.