Is Your Cell Phone Affecting Your Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you know the value of getting a good night’s rest. With no treatment, sleep apnea can take a toll on your quality of life and health. However, even with the correct treatment, you might find it difficult to doze off. It may not be from a bad mattress. Instead, your bedtime routine could be causing you to lose sleep at night. If you have a habit of watching YouTube or scrolling through social media at the end of the day, here’s why you might want to put down your cell phone.
Electronic Devices Can Affect Your Sleep
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the breathing disorder. It’s caused by an obstruction in the upper airway that’s created by the soft tissues in the back of your mouth collapsing or your tongue falling back. You can stop breathing potentially hundreds of times throughout the night.
Every time you stop breathing, your body is deprived of oxygen, which can increase your risk of heart disease and many other serious health conditions. Your sleep cycle is also interrupted. A bad night’s rest can affect your mood, concentration, and energy.
Treating your sleep apnea will prevent pauses in breathing to support your physical and mental health. However, you might still struggle to get 7-9 hours of sleep. Your bedtime habits can be the cause.
Cell phones, televisions, and other electronic devices emit blue light, which you also receive from the sun. As you’re exposed to sunlight during the day, it tells your body to wake up. Using your cell phone at night will have a similar effect. It will tell your brain that it’s time to get up instead of going to sleep.
Create a Good Bedtime Routine
As you wind down after a long day, find a relaxing activity to do, other than being on your phone or watching TV. Talk a brisk walk, read a book, or even practice yoga. Turn off electronic devices at least 1 hour before going to bed. Keep your bedroom a comfortable environment. Reduce the temperature and keep your blinds closed. Turning on a fan can create white noise, which can improve sleep quality.
Commit to Your Treatment Plan
It’s important to follow your sleep specialist’s instructions and comply with your treatment plan to manage your OSA. Whether you use a CPAP machine or an oral appliance, you’ll prevent pauses in breathing to protect your health and wellness.
About Dr. Brenda J. Young
Dr. Young has over 30 years of experience in the dental field. She provides the latest solutions in dentistry, but she is also a sleep specialist. Dr. Young provides high-quality oral appliances to treat snoring and sleep apnea. Request an appointment through her website or call her office at (703) 560-6301.