{"id":431,"date":"2025-12-30T19:17:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T19:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleeprehab.com\/blog\/?p=431"},"modified":"2025-12-30T19:17:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T19:17:10","slug":"napping-with-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleeprehab.com\/blog\/napping-with-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Napping with Sleep Apnea: A Worse Combination Than You Might Think"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If sleep apnea<\/a> has left you feeling unusually exhausted during the day, you might be tempted to lie back on the couch and grab a quick nap. Unfortunately, this likely won\u2019t help as much as you think. In fact, napping is one of the last things you want to do if you\u2019re currently trying to get your sleep-disordered breathing under control. Here\u2019s what sleep apnea patients need to know when it comes to naps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why is Napping with Sleep Apnea a Bad Idea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea is characterized by interruptions in your breathing that repeatedly pull you out of the sleep cycle, depriving your body of the rest it needs. It\u2019s crucial to remember that sleep loss is a cumulative problem; if you get less sleep than you need every night, it will result in a sleep debt that grows bigger over time. This means that napping alone typically isn\u2019t enough to make up for the slumber that your body has missed out on due to sleep apnea, and you may not even feel any better upon awakening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, napping during the day can potentially throw off the body\u2019s natural sleep-wake cycle. As a result, when your regular bedtime arrives, you may find that you have a harder time falling and staying asleep. If sleep apnea is already interfering with your ability to get a good night\u2019s rest, a disrupted sleep-wake cycle will only add to the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can You Do to Address Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you currently have sleep apnea, you will want to have it diagnosed and treated by an expert as soon as possible. Oftentimes, a sleep dentist can help you find relief from sleep-disordered breathing with the help of a personalized oral appliance<\/a>. By adjusting the position of your lower jaw and\/or holding your tongue in place, an oral appliance can help keep your airway unobstructed throughout the night, which reduces the chances of your breathing being interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also few steps you can take at home that can help you manage your sleep apnea, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n