It isn’t unusual for the average person to have an occasional nightmare. Most of us know what it feels like to wake up in the night feeling panicked, only to discover that you are perfectly safe in bed. However, have you noticed this occurring more often recently? This might be due to sleep apnea. Continue reading to learn about the connection between sleep apnea and dreams, the impact of nightmares, and what you can do about them.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Dreams?
Sleep apnea can reduce the number of dreams that you have at night, but it doesn’t necessarily eliminate dreaming. Oftentimes, people with moderate sleep apnea are more prone to experiencing nightmares than the average person. These nightmares can even be more vivid than those experienced by people who don’t have sleep apnea.
One of the reasons why you could be having more nightmares is due to the suffocation feeling that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause. When you have OSA, your windpipe cuts off your oxygen repetitively throughout the night. This causes sufferers to awaken. However, this can become incorporated into your dreams as well, ultimately causing them to be more unsettling.
What Impact Do Nightmares Have on Your Wellness?
An occasional nightmare may just seem like a minor inconvenience. However, when they occur frequently, they can have a negative overall impact on your daily life. Here are just some of the issues that can be associated with frequent nightmares:
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Mood changes
- Resistance to going to sleep due to fear of nightmares
- Difficulty functioning at work or school
- Problems concentrating
- Unwanted thoughts
- Anxiety or persistent fear
How Can You Improve Your Dreams?
If you are frequently having nightmares due to sleep apnea, there are some steps that can be taken to help. When you undergo sleep apnea treatment, you can reduce the negative symptoms of sleep apnea, including nightmares. For instance, when you wear an oral appliance, you are realigning the jaw to keep the airway open. This allows you to breathe more easily throughout the night by reducing interruptions to your sleep.
By seeking treatment for your sleep apnea, you can improve your quality of sleep and even reduce the frequency of your nightmares. You deserve a full, restful night of sleep!
About the Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness in Irving, we have a team of multiple board-certified sleep physicians as well as a licensed psychologist. It is our goal to help all of our patients to get the restful night of sleep they deserve. To learn more about sleep apnea treatments or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (844) 409-4657.