Understanding Sleep Apnea and its Symptoms
Sleep apnea is a prevalent condition worldwide that significantly influences a person’s quality of life. When you have sleep apnea, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, which can lead to a myriad of health problems.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking with a dry mouth, difficulty staying asleep, and fatigue. Among these, one surprising factor that can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms is the use of digital devices.
The Impact of Digital Devices on Sleep Health
To begin, understanding the relationship between digital devices and sleep apnea symptoms, one must first understand how digital devices disrupt normal sleep patterns.
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Digital Devices Emit “Blue Light.”
The screens of digital devices emit what is known as “blue light.” While all light can suppress the secretion of the sleep hormone (melatonin), blue light does so more powerfully, thereby disrupting our body’s natural sleep-wake cycles.
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Digital Devices Can Keep You Awake.
Social media, emails, and other applications can easily extend your wake-time, cutting into the hours for sleep.
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Digital Devices Can Exacerbate Sleep Disorders.
The use of digital devices before bedtime has been linked to sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, and more.
The Relationship between Digital Devices and Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Digital devices, therefore, play a significant role in worsening sleep apnea symptoms. Here’s how:
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Influence on Sleep Amount and Quality
The use of digital devices before bedtime can delay your sleep time, reduce the amount of sleep you get, and affect the quality of your sleep. In other words, it can cause or worsen problems like sleep apnea due to inadequate rest and disrupted sleep cycles.
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Influence on Position and Breathing
The posture you assume while using these devices can influence your breathing, potentially worsening symptoms of sleep apnea.
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Influence on Circadian Rhythm
The artificial light from digital devices confuses our bodies’ biological clocks, affecting natural sleep patterns and contributing significantly to sleep disorders.
Steps to Mitigate the Impact of Digital Devices on Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Despite the harmful effects of digital devices on sleep health, it’s probably unrealistic to eliminate their use entirely. , we can take steps to mitigate their impact:
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Limit Screen Time
Set a digital curfew for yourself and avoid screens at least one hour before bed.
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Adjust Device Settings
Adjust your device settings to reduce blue light exposure, or use apps that filter out blue light.
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Improve Your Sleep Environment
Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, and maintain a comfortable temperature. These conditions will promote better sleep quality and may help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.
, if you or someone you know is struggling with sleep apnea symptoms, professional medical assistance should be sought. At Bend Headache Center, we’re committed to providing non-surgical and drug-free solutions to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
