I Have Sleep Apnea: Can I Make Up Lost Sleep by Napping?

For young children, “naptime” is something that’s pretty much a necessity; kids simply benefit from having that extra time each afternoon to recharge and recuperate to finish their day strong! However, as adults, rarely do we have time for naps built into our schedules. But is this something that should change? For adults with sleep apnea, is there any benefit to napping during the day in an attempt to catch up on lost sleep? Here’s what you need to know about sleep debt, along with how you can ensure you’re getting quality rest on a regular basis. 

How Sleep Apnea Causes Sleep Debt

Sleep apnea refers to a condition that causes patients to wake up frequently throughout the night. This can be due to several factors, but most often it’s the result of the obstruction of the airway. If the flow of oxygen is blocked, your body automatically responds by waking up to restore your breathing pattern – however, this prevents you from entering REM sleep, which is crucial for you to feel recharged and full of energy when you awaken.

These episodes, which are often called apneas, can occur hundreds of times in a given night, which can lead to quite a lot of compounded lost sleep. This deficit, or sleep debt, measures the difference between the amount of sleep you need and the amount of sleep you actually get. For example, if you should be getting eight hours of sleep, but you’re only getting closer to four, you’re adding 4 hours to your sleep debt – at this rate, that’s an average of 28 lost hours of sleep every week. Even missing out on half an hour here and there can quickly add to this deficit.

Consequences of Sleep Debt

Sleep debt can negatively impact your health in many ways, and you might be faced with the following consequences if you aren’t getting enough nightly sleep:

• Constantly feeling tired throughout the day
• Trouble focusing on tasks or remembering things
• Weakened immune system
• Mood instability and increased stress and anxiety
• Poor judgment and decision-making
• Cardiovascular and respiratory problems

Keep in mind that you may not always feel tired if you have sleep debt; research has even shown you can somewhat adapt to chronic sleep restriction; however, your body will still experience significant physical and mental declines.

Tips for Getting Quality Nightly Rest

Although it might seem like napping is a simple way to make up for sleep debt, in reality, it isn’t. First of all, you can still suffer from apnea episodes while napping. However, more importantly, naps often aren’t long enough for you to enter the REM state of sleep. Naps can also interfere with your ability to sleep at night and throw your circadian rhythm into disarray.

If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, your best move is to seek professional treatment. A sleep dentist can provide you with a custom-made oral device that can help you manage your symptoms by ensuring your airway remains unobstructed while you’re sleeping. Beyond professional treatment, making certain lifestyle changes and limiting bedtime distractions can also play a role in managing sleep apnea.  

About the Author

Dr. Jacob Milner has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in Owings Mills for several years. Over his career, he’s spent countless hours continuing his education and completing advanced training in various fields, including dental sleep medicine and treating sleep apnea. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the office to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (410) 390-0277.