21 Nov Is There a Link Between Sleep Apnea and Sleep Paralysis? Prevention and Remedy Options
There are many health conditions linked to obstructive sleep apnea (“OSA” or “sleep apnea”), and it probably doesn’t surprise you that sleep apnea is often associated with other sleep disorders.
But what about sleep apnea and sleep paralysis? Is there a link between the two?
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Sleep Paralysis
What Is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis is a parasomnia disorder (a type of disorder characterized by abnormal mid-sleep behavior) where people are fully or partially awake as they experience temporary atonia, a phenomenon that involves temporary loss of muscle control throughout the body.
This short-term lack of bodily movement control tends to occur for people when they’re either drifting off to sleep or beginning to wake up at any time of day or night.
A key feature of this disorder is that as a person experiences atonia: They are aware they cannot make it stop on command, which can be scary. This fear often occurs while a person is still in partial REM sleep (and dreaming), which is why they can also start to hallucinate.
Experiencing sleep paralysis can make a person not want to fall back asleep immediately after and can even disrupt their sleep routine.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops and starts repeatedly while a person is asleep. This happens because the airway gets blocked or the brain doesn’t send the right signals to keep someone breathing. People with sleep apnea often snore, feel tired during the day, and can wake up gasping for air. It can affect a person’s sleep quality and may lead to other health issues if not treated.
How Are Sleep Apnea and Sleep Paralysis Connected?
The main correlation between sleep apnea and sleep paralysis is their ability to interrupt sleep, which can influence a person’s sleep health. At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we can help get you back on track with healthy, fulfilling sleep.
Preventing Sleep Apnea and Sleep Paralysis
Sleep apnea and sleep paralysis can lead to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can be very dangerous for your health and safety. Scheduling a sleep study and changing lifestyle habits can help lead to better sleep, more energy throughout the day, and improved health.
Here are a few lifestyle habits that can affect the quality of sleep you get:
- Caffeine consumption
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Mobile device use within two to three hours of bedtime
Stop Suffering from Sleeplessness
Sleeping well each night is key for mental clarity, decision-making, emotional stability, and performance at work or at school. Sleep apnea and sleep paralysis can prevent you from getting restorative nightly rest, especially if you aren’t receiving treatment.
Whether sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, or something else is causing you a lack of shut eye, we’re here to help. At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we offer proven treatment options to help get your sleep health back on track.
Setting up your first appointment is simple. Call us today at (205) 874-9699 or contact us online. Once we get in touch, if you have questions about insurance coverage, costs, treatment, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask! We will help provide the answers you need.
Thanks for reading this edition of our sleep advice blog! We create content like this so our patients have the resources to take charge of their sleep health instead of letting sleep problems rule their lives.
If you learned something new or want to spread awareness, don’t forget to share this post on your favorite social platforms! You can also ask questions about sleep health, TMJ disorder, or sleep apnea in our Instagram comments, and we might just feature them in our next blog.