We often don’t appreciate the simple fact that a body deprived of proper sleep at night pays the price during the day.
Every Breath You Take
“My patients rarely associate daytime fatigue, irritability, anxiety, or weight gain with breathing problems at night, which affects the quality of their sleep. They are simply unaware that they do not sleep properly. Only a deep, restorative night’s sleep will allow us to function at our best during the day. And it all starts with proper breathing when we are asleep” – says our sleep and pulmonary expert, Dr. Avinesh Bhar from Sliiip.com.
Every breath we take serves a purpose: it is to ensure blood is adequately saturated with oxygen. Regular and adequate breaths while asleep provides cells and tissues with sufficient oxygen to function properly.
Consequences Of Poor Sleep Quality Due To Breathing Problems
When our bodies are deprived of proper sleep, it takes a toll on every organ, tissue, and cell in the body. Our breathing pattern at night is not apparent to us, hence often overlooked. Without sufficient and regular supply of oxygen, the sleeping body cannot perform its nocturnal duties of repairing cellular damage and re-energizing our cells.
Other processes critical to a well-functioning body that are disrupted without an ample oxygen supply include:
detoxification and clearing waste from the brain
regulation of hormone levels
support of memory and cognitive functions.
As a consequence, you will feel tired, irritable, and may get sick easily.
Symptoms To Look Out For
As muscles relax during sleep, natural breathing becomes more shallow (especially during the REM phase), compared to daytime respiration. That is why we must be aware of any abnormal night-time breathing patterns, which may be signs of an underlying medical condition. Not only will it affect the quality of our lives but, if left untreated, may lead to chronic and life-threatening diseases.
You or your bed partner may be able to recognize common signs and symptoms of conditions such as obstructive and central sleep apneas, such as:
Loud snoring
Stopping breathing during sleep
Gasping for air during sleep
Waking with a dry mouth
Morning headache
Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Difficulty paying attention while awake
Irritability
Anxiety
Weight gain
Most women do not need to snore as loudly as men to have sleep apnea. This leads to many women being misdiagnosed with insomnia and wrongly prescribed sleeping pills, which can worsen underlying sleep apnea.
WHEN TO SEE A SLEEP SPECIALIST
Don’t wait until it is too late. Our online sleep clinic utilizes state-of-the-art technology, like the Alice Home Sleep Test, to allow people access to sleep and pulmonary telemedicine evaluation, testing and treatment, from the comfort of their homes. This includes evaluation and treatment of conditions such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, bronchitis, COPD, or asthma with an attentive and fully engaged specialist doctor.
Visit sliiip.com to find out more about Sleep Telemedicine Services or contact us directly at 478-238-3552. We will be happy to assist you!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
