Many of us carry a lot of stress on our shoulders, and a lot of times it means extreme anxiety toward a variety of things. No matter the cause, the stress or anxiety is always a constant, every day factor. Many people think that being tired during the day is a normal part of being stressed, but it isn’t. If you ever feel sleepy throughout the day, it is important to get tested and treated for sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects people while they’re sleeping, which can be particularly jarring. Some people have to wear special masks connected to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines to ensure that they breathe normally throughout the night and the threat of breathing problems can cause severe anxiety. In turn, this anxiety may make sleep problems worse and sleep deprivation will continue to contribute to both depression and anxiety. Let’s learn more…

The Sleep Apnea and Anxiety Connection

For people already under tons of stress, you’re missing out on restorative sleep that slows the aging process and improves cognitive function—this just compounds the stress you face during the day. A huge source of anxiety during the day is actually from a feeling of breathlessness they experience at night. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you’re panicked all night long as you gasp for air — unconscious and unaware the entire time, but still paying the emotional price in the form of anxiety during the day.

To get ahead of stress, it is important to wake up feeling positive and optimistic in order to handle the next day’s events. If you are feeling any symptoms of anxiety or are waking up exhausted, it is important to visit a dentist to take the next steps toward diagnosis and proper treatment planning.

Contact Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Center of Virginia to learn more about anxiety and sleep apnea. There continues to be a connection we need to pay close attention to and there are solutions that can help you get the rest you need to feel less stress.