Alcohol & Sleep: What You Should Know If You Have TMD Or Sleep Apnea

General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea, TMD

Do you like to unwind at night with a cocktail or two? Is Friday happy hour with your friends or colleagues a regular occurrence? Does your social life include activities where alcohol is a given? Consuming alcohol, especially in the evenings, does not promote restful sleep, and people dealing with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) or sleep apnea need to be aware of the potential effects this can have on their health. If you have either of these conditions and enjoy an alcoholic drink or two in the evenings, even occasionally, please keep reading to learn valuable information that will help you get better sleep.

Does Alcohol Affect Sleep Apnea?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, Sleep Apnea

It is not uncommon for adults to enjoy a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail with dinner. Many families grew up with the cultural expectation of drinking alcohol during family meals. Wineries, breweries, and distilleries have become quite popular hangouts over the past few years. One of the reasons alcohol is popular is due to its relaxing properties. Those same properties are the reason that alcohol can cause issues for patients who experience sleep apnea.

Alcohol Aggravates Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

You probably know that drinking alcohol has an effect on your quality of sleep, but did you know that for sleep apnea patients, it can make symptoms worse? It’s been shown that moderate and heavy drinking can trigger obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), even in people who haven’t yet been diagnosed with the sleep disorder. What can you do about your alcohol consumption and sleep apnea?