How Summer Can Affect Your Sleep Apnea

Summer is one of the best times of the year, but extended sunlight hours and festivities all day and night can really do a number on your sleep schedule - and your sleep apnea. It’s important to be aware of your quality of sleep during the summer, especially in the following ways.

Reduced Sleep

Perhaps the most obvious of the effects summertime can have on your sleep schedule, is that if you’re sleeping less, you have probably made changes in your sleep schedule. Maybe this change has you feeling more tired than usual, and you might want to evaluate whether or not a change in your usage of your sleep apnea treatment means you’re catching even fewer Zs throughout the night than you think you are!

More Time Outdoors and More Travel

Cruising, camping, kayaking, and nasal congestion! If you have seasonal allergies, spending more time in the summer sunshine can mean spending more hours awake at night suffering from the negative effects of allergies. What’s more, maybe the kids are out of school and you’re spending a few sleepless nights driving cross-country to see the world’s largest pizza pie!? Whatever your summer plans, make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night so that you don’t suffer the next day. It’s important to use your oral appliance or other sleep apnea treatments consistently and appropriately for the best results.

How to Get Better Sleep

Sleep in a comfortable, cool, dark room, and limit your evening exposure to sunlight. The sun delays your body’s natural production of melatonin, a hormone that controls your body’s natural sleep and wake cycles. Don’t forget to take time to wind down before trying to force yourself to fall asleep. Limit screen time to outside of your bed, and use your sleep apnea treatments regularly, even when you’re on the go.

Schedule an Appointment

For more information about sleep apnea solutions this summer, or to schedule your next appointment with Financial District San Francisco sleep apnea dentist Dr. Kandar, call (415) 523-9178 today! You can also book your appointment online.

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