Is Sleep Apnea Causing My Nightmares?

November 20, 2020
Woman after a nightmare

Everyone experiences nightmares from time to time. We are all familiar with how it feels to wake up with a wildly beating heart and lingering disturbing images in our mind. However, some people are more prone to experience nightmares than others — specifically, individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. Let’s discuss why sleep apnea nightmares in Boca Raton occur and what you may be able to do to experience more peaceful, higher quality shuteye.

How Sleep Apnea Causes Nightmares

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes interruptions in breathing throughout the night. Apneas (periods of not breathing) occur when the soft tissues at the back of the throat overrelax, thus blocking the airway. Apneas typically last for 10 seconds or longer and can occur dozens or even hundreds of times each night.

Often, the body copes with sleep apnea by causing the brain to wake up, which is why many people with OSA sometimes wake up gasping for air. Unfortunately, sometimes something a little more sinister happens. The feeling of suffocation can work its way into the person’s dreams, causing them to experience frightening and disturbing situations while they sleep. Research indicates that the more severe a person’s OSA is, the more unpleasant their dreams become.

Beyond Nightmares

Nightmares are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to OSA’s consequences. It can become a “real life” nightmare because it increases an individual’s risk for mood disorders, including depression and irritability. Over the long-term, it is also associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular health issues like heart attack and stroke.

How to Have Better Dreams

Pursuing sleep apnea treatment could have a great, positive effect on the quality of your dreams and your overall health. Here are some steps you can take to get OSA under control:

  • Ask your doctor to arrange a sleep test. The results of the test will let you know if you have sleep apnea and how severe it is.
  • Choose your sleep apnea treatment. Many people use a CPAP machine to keep their airway open at night. However, a custom oral appliance may be just as effective and offer a superior level of comfort and convenience.
  • Make necessary lifestyle changes. Excessive caffeine and alcohol intake can both cause changes in your sleep cycle and contribute to nightmares. Not consuming these substances close to bedtime may improve the quality of your rest. Sleeping on your side, adopting a regular sleep routine, and shedding excess weight may also prove to be beneficial.

Are you plagued by nightmares? Seeking treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may help you rediscover what it is like to enjoy sweet dreams.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a sleep apnea expert in Boca Raton. He is an experienced dentist who specializes in helping patients benefit from oral appliance therapy. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea or you are weighing your treatment options, he would be pleased to help you. Contact our office at 561-353-5252.