OSA Anxiety — How Can You Cope?

Millions of Americans suffer from occasional anxiety, but if you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you may have an additional reason to feel anxious. This sleep disorder can make it difficult to enjoy a calm state of mind! What causes OSA anxiety, and how can you cope? This blog post provides some practical information.

What Causes OSA Anxiety?

If you are already prone to bouts of anxiety, OSA can make things worse. During the day, a lack of high-quality sleep can make it more difficult to manage your emotions and cope with stressful situations.

At night, things can get even worse. OSA often causes its victims to wake up choking or gasping for air. That is an awful sensation, and the idea that it might happen to you could exacerbate your anxiety, leading to bouts of insomnia.

Anxiety, OSA, and a lack of high-quality sleep have the potential to create a vicious cycle that has huge consequences for your daily life and long-term wellness. Not only might you feel exhausted from day to day, but increased stress combined with poor sleep may adversely affect your heart health. You could even be at an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Coping with OSA Anxiety

Here are some practical steps that may help you to manage your OSA-related anxiety:

• Get treatment for your sleep disorder. OSA is highly treatable. Many patients have found relief from their condition with a small oral appliance, which gently repositions the oral tissues in order to keep the airway open. It could help you sleep through the night without any major breathing mishaps.
• Practice good sleep hygiene. A relaxing nighttime routine can help you set aside the worries of the day and get into a state of mind that is conducive to good sleep. Try doing things like setting your phone aside two hours before bed, taking a relaxing hot bath, listening to soothing music, and making sure that your bedroom is always clean and comfortable.
• Try breathing exercises. Controlled breathing exercises can be an effective way to reduce feelings of anxiety. For example, you could try the 4-7-8 method, which involves inhaling through your nose for a count of 4, holding your breath for a count of 7, and exhaling through your mouth for a count of 8.
• Talk to a mental health professional if necessary. A few sessions of talk therapy or another mental health treatment may go a long way toward minimizing feelings of stress and anxiety.

OSA can cause increased anxiety! Fortunately, there are things you can do to unwind at night and get the rejuvenating rest you need.

Meet the Practice

Drs. Kenneth Mogell and Yitta Garden are proud to work together to help people in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities experience relief from obstructive sleep apnea. Our practice specializes in oral appliance therapy, a convenient and effective alternative to a CPAP machine. To learn how we may be able to help you sleep better, contact us at 772-882-6800.