Sleep deprivation, whether it is sleep apnea or insomnia, can lead to so many health problems like depression, heart disease and high blood pressure. The lack of oxygen and the lack of good rest are detrimental to healthy living. Now it seems that there is also a connection between sleep apnea and addiction.
One of the most common addictions of people who have a difficult time sleeping is the abuse of sleeping pills. Sleeping pills along with sleep apnea isn’t a good idea because the sleeping pills relaxes the muscles in the back of the throat which is exactly how the airway is blocked thus making breathing even more difficult. Plus sleeping pills can be addictive and some do have side effects for the user. Seek other treatment for sleep disorders rather than sleeping pills.
Alcoholism is a double edged sword when it comes to sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea and you drink, the alcohol will make the apnea worse by relaxing the muscles in the throat. If you are an alcoholic you are at a greater risk of having sleep apnea for the very same reason.
Those with depression, anxiety and other emotional issues frequently seek solace in alcohol and drugs. Often their emotional problems are brought about by sleep deprivation including sleep apnea. In essence sleep disorders indirectly leads to addiction. That is way seeking help with sleep issues is so very important.
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I totally agree. I've also noticed an increased likelihood of addictions in people with any sort of sleep problems in my practice, especially in people with sleep apnea. Of course, it's the chicken or the egg question: Does sleep apnea make you more likely to drink alcohol, or does alcohol (by relaxing your throat muscles) aggravate or bring on sleep apnea? It's probably a bit of both.
ReplyDeleteMy theory is that people who have smaller jaws and more narrow upper airway anatomy are more susceptible to alcoholism. As you can imagine, people who are either stressed or having trouble sleeping may resort to drinking.
Coincidentally, I wrote a few posts back in my bog about a possible association between sleep apnea and oral/throat cancer.
Thanks Dr. Park give me the link and I will add it to my favorite links sections.
ReplyDeleteDavid
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ReplyDeleteTreatment for Sleep Apnea
Thanks, David for linking me. I'm trying to get my webmaster to put up a links/blog column on my homepage. It should be up soon, and I'll get yours up as well. Keep up the great posts.
ReplyDeleteI have tried every prescription product on the market for insomnia and none of them worked; my cousin referred me to the web site narcomundo.com there I purchased a package of Somatize. I tried one serving and I was a sleep in 20 minutes and after using it for 3 nights I did not need it anymore. I am not joking!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has pretty severe sleep apnea. He obstructs, then wakes up coughing. We are both recovering alcoholics....(5 years) but are now addicted to sleeping pills. I don't think he wants to give up the sleeping pills for the CPAP machine. It's a vicious cycle.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your situation. I never had any luck with the cpap either. but I hope that you find a way to get off the sleeping pills
ReplyDeletegood luck
David