Have you ever tossed and turned at night, staring at the clock, watching time seemingly never end? You are acutely aware of the time, and with every passing second you know tomorrow morning is going to be even harder? Well, that’s what life can be like if you have insomnia or sleep apnea. Unfortunately, not only does lack of sleep keep you up at night, letting your mind wander, amplifying feelings of stress or depression, but it can also cause a host of medical problems, including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and more. In the case of those with sleep apnea, the interrupted sleep, low blood oxygen levels, and breathing problems can contribute to illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
That’s why it’s important to have a solid sleep schedule, whether you have obstructive sleep apnea or not.
Sleep occurs in four main cycles: Non-REM Sleep N1, Non-REM sleep N2, Non-REM sleep N3, and REM sleep. It is necessary for the human body to complete all four cycles to be considered completely rested. This entire process takes about seven to nine hours to complete, which is why this number is the one recommended by sleep experts.
Unfortunately, for those with obstructive sleep apnea, getting seven or even a few consecutive hours of sleep can be impossible, or extremely difficult. That’s because when you have obstructive sleep apnea, your body often wakes repeatedly throughout the night as you struggle to breathe. This interrupts your sleep cycles, causing stress to your body. Stress that could be detrimental to your physical and mental health.
If you have sleep apnea, or suspect you could have sleep apnea, it is important to treat this illness. A regimen that includes a sleep orthotic device from Dr. Peterson can get you the results you want, helping you breathe easier and get a better night’s sleep, all without the use of CPAP therapy.
To learn more about these innovative custom devices, please contact Dr. Peterson’s office today and schedule a consultation.
