Alcohol and Sleep Apnea Do Not Mix Well

If you suffer with sleep apnea, drinking alcohol can pose a dangerous threat.  Sleep apnea patients experience collapse of the airway during sleep, which causes prolonged lapses in normal breathing.  When oxygen is not exchanged properly, blood oxygen saturation levels decline, leading to numerous complications including high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.  Alcohol use may exaggerate airway problems in sleep apnea, causing more frequent and deeper lapses in normal breathing. 

Alcohol’s Effect On Sleep

Alcohol acts as a depressant, and has the effect of narrowing the airway due to relaxation of the muscles in the upper airway.  When this occurs, the airway can collapse, causing an apneic (without breath) episode.  Additionally, alcohol can disrupt the sleep cycles essential to normal sleep, shortening the essential cycles of sleep and disrupting the duration of sleep.  Sleep deprivation caused by alcohol consumption, even in people without OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) can lead to serious problems.

·         Depressive disorders

·         Reduced alertness

·         Daytime sleepiness

·         Increased episodes of apnea

·         Longer lasting episodes of apnea

Best Advice For Sleep Apnea Patients

The best advice for sleep apnea patients is to avoid alcohol use at all, especially within 6 hours of bedtime.  Studies show that sleep disturbances persist, even after the alcohol has been metabolized out of the body.  Using a custom oral appliance for sleep apnea, such as those available from Dr. Jack E. Burroughs, can help reduce the risk of prolonged episodes of apnea. 

For more information about diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea and snoring, contact us.