Can Sleep Apnea Affect Your Mood?

General Info, Sleep Apnea

For years, we have spoken about the negative impact sleep apnea can have on your overall health. Can sleep apnea also have an effect on your mood? The answer is an absolute yes. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea and are not receiving treatment do not get quality sleep at night. Your body needs adequate sleep to function properly every day. Think of a baby or toddler you may know. How is their mood when they do not get a nap during the day or if their sleep is interrupted? They are cranky, irritable, and difficult to calm down. While adults may not behave as poorly as children when they’re tired, their moods can be rather similar.

Man snoring

Is Snoring Affecting Your Health?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

Do you or a loved one snore? People who snore often are unaware until a family member complains about the noise they hear every night. Snoring is caused when air flows past tissues in your throat that vibrate. Almost everyone snores at some point, especially if they are congested or have a common cold. The problem is when snoring is something that happens repeatedly every time you sleep. Snoring is one of the common symptoms associated with sleep apnea. You may be surprised to learn that snoring can lead to serious complications with your overall health. When you pair snoring with sleep apnea, it can be detrimental to your health if left untreated.

How To Get Used To Wearing An Oral Appliance At Night

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea, TMD

If you recently received an oral appliance to help treat your sleep apnea or TMD condition, you are on your way to feeling better and improving your life. As you know, dealing with either sleep apnea or TMD can be a difficult journey to navigate and can lead to problems with your overall quality of life. It’s amazing that a small oral appliance can make such a difference, but it does and has helped countless patients. There is an adjustment period, especially if this is the first time you are wearing an oral appliance.

Can Exercise Help My Sleep Apnea?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

We all know the importance of exercising to improve our overall health. Regular exercise can help prevent many health issues, such as heart disease. If you suffer from sleep apnea, regular exercise can also be beneficial in improving your symptoms. Exercise doesn’t have to mean intense cardio or weight lifting. It can be something as simple as a brisk walk. Any form of movement is beneficial to your health. Read on to learn more.

Can Illness Worsen Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

We don’t know about you, but we are so excited to see the arrival of spring. This means that summer is right around the corner! Even though we can be excited about the brighter days and the warmer weather, unfortunately, there is always the chance that you or a loved one will become ill. While we aren’t having the same issues as this time three years ago, people are still getting sick for a variety of reasons. This may leave people who suffer from sleep apnea wondering if their symptoms will return or worsen when they aren’t feeling the greatest.

How To Cope With The Upcoming Time Change

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

We don’t know how you feel, but we are dreading when the clocks change on March 12th for Daylight Saving Time. While we will enjoy the brighter and longer days, adjusting to the time change can be difficult for some, especially if you suffer from sleep apnea or struggle to get quality sleep. Daylight saving time is the practice of setting the clocks ahead by one hour from March through November. Read on for some tips to help you adjust to the time change.

Foods That Can Negatively Affect Sleep Apnea

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

At the Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, we do everything we can to improve the sleep quality of our patients who are suffering from sleep apnea. While we encourage patients to follow our treatment recommendations, there are certain things you can do in your daily life to help improve your symptoms and not experience any setbacks with your treatment. It may be beneficial to evaluate your eating habits and make any necessary changes. There are certain foods that may be negatively impacting your quality of sleep and can aggravate your sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep Apnea & Anxiety – A Vicious Cycle

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

If you are one of our sleep apnea patients, then you know the effect this condition can have on your entire body. Sleep apnea can also have a significant impact on the state of your mental health. Patients who experience sleep apnea have a higher risk of dealing with anxiety. Anxiety is the natural way that some people deal with stressful situations. However, problems can arise when your anxiety is keeping you from living your daily life. Read on to learn if sleep apnea is causing you anxiety.

Is Your Dinner Time Affecting Your Sleep?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

What time do you typically eat dinner? We know that dinner time varies for each person and family based on their activities and schedules. During this time of year, many dinner times are also changed because of holiday parties and family get-togethers. You may be surprised to learn that the time you eat dinner can affect your quality of sleep and your sleep apnea symptoms. So, if you have been struggling with your sleep lately, your dinner time may be to blame.