January can be cold and dreary. Christmas is over, and those holiday bills are starting to come in. It’s no wonder we start to feel the winter doldrums this time of year. However, if you are feeling more depressed than usual, it could have something to do with your sleeping habits. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that affects up to 20% of all American adults. In an interesting study, conducted at Western University in London Ontario, researchers found that sleep apnea treatment can significantly reduce depression. If you have been diagnosed with OSA, our effective treatment can give you a better night’s sleep – and improve your mood!
Sleep Apnea and Depression
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your soft palate, tongue, and/or throat muscles slacken during sleep. As they do so, they will block the flow of air through your windpipe. Every time air stops moving, you will wake up or move to a lighter sleep cycle. As a result, you could suffer chronic fatigue and a host of other symptoms. Depression is often linked to sleep apnea, although medical professionals are still researching the connection. Certainly, fatigue can make you feel sad and anxious. However, some scientists speculate that existing depression can lead to sleep apnea.
Whatever the correlation, scientists have discovered that patients feel significantly happier following sleep apnea treatment. In the Western University study, researchers looked at 19 sleep apnea trials using CPAP machines, 3 trials using mouthguards, and 2 trials using both CPAP and mouthguards. The researchers found that these treatments significantly improved symptoms of depression in comparison to patients who received no treatment at all. The improvement was particularly pronounced among patients who were more depressed at the beginning of the study. These findings correlate with what many doctors and dentists report – that their patients consistently feel happier and less anxious after treatment for OSA.
Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment
We proudly offer custom-crafted oral appliances to treat obstructive sleep apnea. These small devices will realign your jaw as you sleep. This will tighten sagging tissues and keep your airways open. Mouthguards have proven very effective. Because they are so small and comfortable, many patients prefer them to bulky CPAP machines.
ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE FAMILY DENTISTS:
As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.
