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Sleep is a basic yet critical need of our bodies, just like food, water, and air. Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining good health and physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Many people claim to get good sleep simply because they get 8+ hours per night.  What they don’t realize is that the number of hours does not necessarily mean they are getting quality sleep.  How many people have we heard say they slept all night, but still wake up tired? Or for those who can’t sleep and suffer from insomnia…ever wonder why they can’t sleep?

Sleep deficiency can not only lead to loss of productivity but can cause physical ailments such as high blood pressure and chronic pain, as well as mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. If you don't get enough sleep, sleep at the wrong times, or have poor quality sleep, you may feel daily fatigue and wake up every morning feeling like you never slept at all.

Can sleep deficiency affect your emotions?

Sleep deficiency can dramatically affect your daily life. It can negatively affect work and school performance, driving acuity, personal relationships, and self-esteem. You may have difficulty concentrating, learning, and reacting. In any social situation, you might feel frustrated, irritated, or worried.

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep deficiency?

The signs and symptoms of sleep deficiency often present differently in children and adults.

In children:

• Hyperactivity
• Anxiety
• Snoring
• Naps during daytime
• Bed-wetting well after being potty-trained
• Having problems staying focused at school and at home
• Misbehaving or acting out
• Feeling withdrawn and/or depressed

In adults:

• Yawn constantly
• Wake up tired or sleepy, grogginess all-day 
• Dozing off while staying inactive for a while
• Mood changes, feeling irritable and/or depressed 
• Poor concentration 
• Headaches and migraines 
• TMJ/TMD symptoms
• Chronic pain

What are the effects of sleep loss on children?

 Research studies show sleep loss can affect children in the following ways:

• Tend to misbehave and have poor concentration affecting school performance.
• Teenagers can have problems with impulse control, which can lead to risk-taking behavior.
• Increase the chances of disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

Do you think you have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person repeatedly stops breathing while asleep. Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms highlighted in this article, consider obtaining a sleep study. If this condition is left untreated, it can lead to other health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, headaches or migraines, and heart disease to name a few. It can also exacerbate or bring on anxiety and depression. 

The main types of sleep apnea are:

Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common form that occurs either when muscles of the throat relax or when a patient suffers from nasal obstruction which affects adequate airflow.

Central sleep apnea occurs when the muscles controlling breathing do not get proper signals from the brain.

Symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Loud snoring
• Teeth grinding and clenching during sleep 
• Waking up feeling dizzy
• Gasping during sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty falling asleep or insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness or hypersomnia
• Difficulty paying attention while awake
• Irritability

If you suffer from some or many of the mentioned conditions, we are here to develop a successful treatment plan for you. If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are CPAP intolerant, we can help. We utilize custom oral appliances to improve sleep quality and overall health. Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more about how we can help you reach optimum health and get you living and enjoying life again.

To schedule an appointment with Nor Cal Airway, please contact us at 408-247-9291 or enter your appointment request here.