Should I Treat Sleep Apnea with Sleeping Pills?

If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day is likely a regular occurrence.  In fact, many people affected by the condition would likely take drastic measures to get proper rest and finally make that exhaustion go away. Naturally, some may even gravitate toward temporary fixes like sleeping pills to help them get some much-needed z’s. But are these medications safe for people with sleep apnea? Here’s why they may not be, and how you can get a comfortable, complete slumber with the help of sleep dentistry!

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that occurs when airway becomes obstructed while resting. Although everyone is different, common symptoms include gasping or choking for air while sleeping and repeatedly waking throughout the night. As a result, people with the disorder are often unable to get a good night’s sleep and may suffer from a variety of complications throughout the day such as exhaustion, lethargy, depression, cognitive impairment, and anxiety. Worse still, it can even cause low blood oxygen which may increase your risk of serious medical conditions like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Should I Take Sleeping Pills with Sleep Apnea?

Because patients with sleep apnea often struggle to stay asleep, some are inclined to try to improve their odds of getting proper rest by taking sleeping pills. Unfortunately, however, while these may be effective at helping you catch some elusive z’s, the problem is that they may also cause your airway to relax even further, making it harder to breathe during the night. This can ultimately worsen your sleep apnea symptoms, increasing your risk of dangerous side effects while destroying your ability to get a sound, quality slumber.

A Safer Solution

So, if sleeping pills are a bad idea, what can you try? The good news is that while many patients struggle to adjust to traditional treatments like CPAP, oral appliance therapy from your sleep dentist could be the solution. These devices are customized to fit your individual mouth, and work by propping your airway open naturally while you rest. This allows you to take in the proper amount of oxygen, eliminating the gasping and choking episodes that keep you awake at night, all without the use of forced air or the need for strong medications that could make your symptoms worse.

To learn more about whether you’d be a good candidate for oral appliance therapy and to determine which type of device would work best for you, speak to your sleep dentist today about your treatment options today!

About Dr. Oshins

Dr. Steven Oshins earned his dental degree from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is a graduate of the prestigious Kois Center. Additionally, he completed a dental sleep medicine residency at the University of North Carolina in April of 2019 and is currently working toward a certification as a Diplomate of Sleep Medicine. To schedule an appointment at Oshins of Smiles for sleep apnea therapy, visit our website or call us today at 518-356-5635.