Did you know your body has an internal clock to help you carry out various functions and processes? Different body systems have their own circadian rhythms that are often tied to environmental factors like light and darkness — which is why many circadian rhythms are related to day and night.  The sleep-wake cycle is the most commonly known circadian rhythm and is the one that impacts people with sleep apnea the most. If you have a circadian rhythm that’s properly aligned, you’re more likely to sleep soundly through the night. But that also means having a circadian rhythm thrown off...

Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a form of depression that occurs seasonally — typically in the fall or the winter. This is because the fall and winter months have shorter days with fewer daylight hours, which may trigger a chemical change in the brain that creates symptoms of depression like sadness, disinterest, social withdrawal, and fatigue.  SAD doesn’t usually impact those under the age of 20, but the risk increases as you age throughout adulthood. Does SAD Affect Sleep? Along with feeling sad and disinterested in their surroundings, those suffering from seasonal affective disorder might also experience...

Do you feel fatigued and unrested even after a full night of sleep? Does your partner hear you gasping for air or snoring throughout the night?  If so, you might be suffering from a form of sleep apnea. Following a sleep apnea test, a sleep specialist will provide you with a recommended form of treatment to help you receive the airflow you need while sleeping. Today the team at ApneaMed is here to walk you through two different treatment options — CPAP therapy or a mouthguard. What Is CPAP Therapy? If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you’ll experience cessations in...

If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you’ve probably heard there’s a relationship between weight and the severity of sleep apnea. That’s true — those that are overweight or obese are more likely to experience worse sleep apnea symptoms.  However, a common misconception is that losing weight will completely solve your sleep apnea. Unfortunately, losing weight isn’t the “be-all and end-all” when it comes to reducing your sleep apnea symptoms. The solution may run deeper.  How Obesity Impacts Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea can affect any individual for various reasons, but your risk of sleep apnea increases with the more fat you...

How many hours of sleep do you get on average a night? While the recommended hours of sleep varies per person, most adults need to get between seven and nine hours of sleep to function at their best the next day. With so much going on in our lives and increasingly busy schedules, most adults find it difficult to hit the recommended number of hours each night. But does missing a few recommended hours of sleep make a difference in our daily lives? How does it impact your relationships and productivity during the workday? Let’s explore the reasons how poor...