Sleep Apnea: Types, Common Causes, Risk Factors, Effects on Health

The sleep test will monitor your sleep and determine if you have sleep apnea. Because alcohol relaxes the muscles, drinking too much before sleeping will relax the upper throat muscles, causing them to collapse backward into the airway. The effect can be worsened by alcohol’s tendency to relax all muscles, making waking up more difficult. The simple answer is “no.” Or you should at least limit your alcohol consumption as much as possible.

While consuming alcohol in small quantities is safe for most people, experts generally agree that it’s a good idea to limit how much alcohol you drink. And there are some people who should avoid alcohol altogether, including pregnant people, individuals with liver or pancreatic disease, and people with alcohol use disorders. Alcohol abuse and dependence can negatively impact sleep cycles in the long term, leading to less deep sleep and more sleep disruptions than normal. These effects may persist even after a person stops using alcohol. During REM sleep, your brain becomes more active, your body more relaxed and your eyes move rapidly.

However, it doesn’t hurt to get checked out by a sleep doctor to make sure there’s nothing larger going on. You can also visit us at Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea to explore our snoring treatment options in Lee’s Summit. Typically, snoring is caused by a blockage of one or more of the air passages in the nose, back of the throat, or in the mouth. When drinking alcohol, the muscles in these specific areas can become relaxed.

Alcohol Impacts the Sleep Cycle

Many people with insomnia who drink before sleep still experience sleep deprivation and sleeplessness by never getting the REM sleep they need. The study specifically focused on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and the Lowest https://soberhome.net/ Oxygen Saturation (LSAT) results. It found that participants who self-reported drinking close to bedtime experienced a mean difference of 3.98 more AHI events per hour as compared to the control group that abstained.

• Several studies have found that alcohol consumption can make OSA worse.
• You may experience poor concentration during the day as the brain has never fully recharged and you become sleep deprived.
• Your REM (rapid eye movement) stage is where you not only dream but achieve the most restorative sleep to help your brain function properly the next day.
• Researchers highlight that further studies examining the long-term effects of drinking are warranted.
• However, after their body metabolizes the alcohol, there is a rebound effect marked by frequent wakings and increased stage 1 sleep.
• Alcohol use actually exacerbates your risk for sleep apnea symptoms and makes it harder for your body to breathe while sleeping.

People who have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea should talk with their doctor if their symptoms do not improve after starting treatment. A doctor can discuss alcohol habits and other lifestyle choices, as well as recommend steps to make treatment more effective. Especially for people who have sleep apnea, understanding alcohol’s effects on sleep can be an important part of optimizing lifestyle choices to promote healthier and more restful sleep. Surgery to remove large tonsils or adenoids and weight loss procedures may help lessen snoring and help with the overall treatment of sleep apnea. You may need to use extra oxygen when you sleep if you have central sleep apnea. There are many forms of oxygen and different devices that can help deliver it to your lungs.

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

As the muscles in your throat relax, and less air is passing through your lungs, your airway could close or even collapse. If you have sleep apnea, alcohol can cause you to experience more severe desaturation and could potentially increase your carbon dioxide to fatal levels. Ideally, people with OSA should refrain from drinking alcohol altogether. If you do drink, avoid drinking before bedtime, limit the amount you drink, and make sure you use your CPAP machine. While alcohol can compromise sleep quality and aggravate sleep disorders, exercise has many known benefits for sleep.

• While this condition is common, it is a very difficult condition to live with.
• If you have been relying on alcohol to try to sleep better, there could be an underlying condition that you may not even be aware of that is preventing you from a restful sleep.
• It happens when your airways repeatedly become completely or partially blocked during sleep, usually because the soft tissue in the back of your throat collapses.
• When you have a night of poor sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea, you may experience a severe drop in blood oxygen levels and a dangerous rise in carbon dioxide in the body.
• Alcohol affects melatonin, the body’s primary sleep regulating hormone.

ASV seems to be more effective in complex sleep apnea treatment than other forms of positive airway pressure. But it may not be a good fit for those with central sleep apnea and advanced heart failure. Instead, your brain fails to tell your muscles to breathe because of issues in your respiratory control center. It happens when your airways repeatedly become completely or partially blocked during sleep, usually because the soft tissue in the back of your throat collapses.

Drinking alcohol, especially overconsumption, can induce sleep apnea and worsen any preexisting sleep disorders.

With that in mind, read on to learn why people with this sleep disorder should avoid having a drink before bed. Ongoing studies have revealed that moderate or heavy drinking can lead to episodes of obstructive sleep apnea even in people who aren’t diagnosed with the condition. Since drinking alcohol can increase the time between when you stop breathing and when you “wake up” to breathe again, it can make your OSA worse.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to the development of things like Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Central Sleep Apnea. It is unlikely that addressing just one risk factor is going to completely reverse your condition. Instead, quitting alcohol should be just one step in a larger, personalized treatment plan that includes other lifestyle changes as well. If you require a CPAP machine, your healthcare provider will most likely suggest limiting your alcohol intake. However, if you choose to drink, it is highly encouraged that you keep up with your CPAP therapy routine.

Does Alcohol Affect Other Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders?

Drinking alcohol can worsen your snoring and increase your risk of sleep apnea. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between alcohol eco sober house review consumption and risk of sleep apnoea in adults. In central sleep apnea, the brain and respiratory muscles fail to properly regulate breathing.

Alcohol can impact your brain’s ability to sense and respond to your sleep apnea-related breathing changes. When your breathing pauses during a sleep apnea episode, it causes carbon dioxide to build up in your blood. At the very least, it does increase your risks of developing other health issues which have been proven to lead to sleep-related respiratory changes—for example, obesity and chronic illness. Having two drinks for men or one drink for women caused a 23% decline while drinking in excess of that caused a 39% decline in sleep quality. When a person has one or more of these symptoms, a doctor can review their specific situation and determine whether to recommend sleep apnea testing, which is required to diagnose the condition.

Note that options can include therapy, in- and outpatient programs, and medical professionals that can work with you to either help you lower your consumption or cut alcohol out of your life entirely. Cori’s key responsibilities include supervising financial operations, and daily financial reporting and account management. Cori’s goal is to ensure all patient’s needs are met in an accurate and timely manner. She is a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator with The Florida Certification Board and licensed Notary Public in the state of Florida. Julia joined Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. in 2011 with a background in sales, marketing and customer service. She is currently the vice president of marketing and operations and enjoys the opportunity to educate and interact with those looking to improve their health through better sleep.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. This website does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.

This deep sleep phase is responsible for cell regeneration, tissue repair and growth, and the strengthening of the immune system. Drowsiness during the day after what is perceived to be a period of sleep can affect concentration, memory, and mood. Daytime fatigue may also lead to daytime napping, to make up for lost sleep, which can cause insomnia at night. Excessive alcohol consumption never allows your brain to achieve the necessary REM sleep stage for healthy rejuvenation and recharge that we need as humans.

Do you depend on alcohol each night to fall asleep?

Additionally, you need to make sure you’re using your treatment for sleep apnea every night. Sleep apnea (SA) is a serious sleep disorder that can lead you to an early grave. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, it’s important to work with our providers to help improve your health and manage your condition. One thing that many people ask is whether they can drink alcohol if they’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is a question only you and your doctor can answer, but it’s important to know how alcohol can affect you if you have SA.

Especially for those who struggle with alcohol addiction, experiencing sleep apnea after drinking alcohol is not uncommon. Unfortunately, these repeated lapses in breathing prevent the brain and body from receiving the oxygen they need to function properly. These smaller disturbances can make carrying out daily responsibilities difficult. It also increases the person’s risk of developing other related health conditions.