Do you ever scroll through your phone right before bedtime, only to toss and turn and struggle to sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow? You’re not alone! Between late-night screen time and undiagnosed sleep apnea, many people are unknowingly sabotaging their own sleep and not achieving successful deep sleep. Without this valuable deep sleep, you may notice a general decline in your quality of life, even if you’re technically getting a full night’s rest. Here’s what you need to know about cell phones and sleep apnea and how to get things back on track.
How Your Phone Can Interfere with Deep Sleep
Cell phones, tablets, and other digital screens emit blue light that can suppress your body’s natural production of melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. When your melatonin production is delayed, it can take longer to fall asleep, and it becomes harder for you to wake up in the mornings.
Beyond the light projected from the screen, scrolling through social media, checking work emails, or watching videos before bed keeps your brain mentally stimulated and alert right when it should be winding down. The result is often more fragmented sleep, with less time spent in the deep, restorative stages (REM or rapid-eye-movement sleep) your body relies on to repair itself.
How Sleep Apnea Impacts Your Sleep
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that can interfere with deep sleep even more seriously. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night, since the airway becomes blocked. These episodes are referred to as apneas, and they can occur hundreds of times throughout the night!
Each time this happens, your brain briefly wakes you up just enough to resume breathing, often without you even realizing it. However, these constant interruptions prevent your body from settling into the deeper stages of sleep for any meaningful length of time, leaving you feeling exhausted no matter how many hours you spent in bed.
Getting Enough Sleep Matters for Your Quality of Life
When your deep sleep is consistently disrupted, whether by late-night screen time and phone usage or untreated sleep apnea, it can take a toll on your mood, concentration, and long-term health. Over time, this can contribute to increased stress, weight gain, and a higher risk of chronic health conditions. Addressing both your nighttime habits and sleep disorders like sleep apnea in New Lenox is the key to protecting your rest, and by proxy, your very livelihood!
About the Practice
Here at Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox, our team has proudly served the needs of patients and families in the area for several years. Under the leadership of Dr. Albert, Dr. Snow, and Dr. Feller, we offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as sleep apnea solutions such as custom-made oral appliances. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member, you can call or reach out online for more information or assistance. Telephone: (815) 462-9990.