Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Sleep Apnea and Anxiety

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Anxiety and sleep apnea have been linked in a number of studies. In 2012, a European study found that more than half of sleep apnea patients also "had some degree of depression and anxiety."

It is important to note that it has not been proven that sleep problems cause anxiety or that anxiety causes sleep problems. A University of California - Berkeley researcher said "It's been hard to tease out whether sleep loss is simply a byproduct of anxiety, or whether sleep disruption causes anxiety." I believe that this "chicken or egg" conundrum will be found to go both directions - depending on the patient.

The connection between anxiety and sleep disorders intrigued University of California- Berkeley researchers. They are trying to discover whether treating one condition will influence the other. Their goal is to find the connection between lack of sleep and the increase in brain activity that contributes to excessive worrying and anxiety. Their study concluded that experiencing sleep deprivation increased "anticipatory anxiety".

Dr. Matthew Walker said "These finding help us realize that those people who are anxious by nature are the same people who will suffer the greatest harm from sleep deprivation." He continued, "By restoring good quality sleep in people suffering from anxiety, we may be able to help ameliorate their excessive worry."

CPAP Raising Your Anxiety Levels?

About half of sleep apnea patients find they cannot tolerate sleeping with the machine all night or even use it at all. A custom oral appliance from a dentist trained to treat sleep disorders can successfully treat mild to serious sleep apnea without the hoses or masks.

Our patients find sleeping with an oral appliance comfortable and highly effective. Visit our Boca Raton office for full service dental and sleep apnea treatment or ask about sleep apnea treatment in our Jupiter, Port St. Lucie or Vero Beach locations. Call us at 1-800-343-SLEEP to schedule your consultation.

Labels: anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea