Halloween is fast approaching, and you and your family are probably looking forward to the spooky decorations, the fun costumes, and the sweet treats. However, if you have sleep apnea, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking the right steps to properly manage your disorder even while you’re enjoying the spooky festivities. Below are 4 tips that can help you control your sleep apnea while still indulging in plenty of Halloween fun.
1. Try to Stick to Your Regular Bedtime
Whether you’re having a scary movie marathon or going trick-or-treating with your kids, it can be all too easy to stay up later than usual on Halloween. Missing your regular bedtime may not seem like a big deal, but it can have a negative impact on your sleep quality. If sleep apnea is already making it difficult to get a good night’s rest, going to bed late could make the problem even worse. Thus, it’s important to plan your Halloween activities carefully so that you can still go to bed when you normally would.
2. Avoid Alcohol Shortly Before Bed
If one of your friends is throwing a Halloween party, there’s a good chance that alcoholic beverages will be served. Unfortunately, alcohol and sleep apnea are not a good combination. Alcohol can cause the muscles in your throat to relax more than normal. This increases the risk of your airway collapsing during the night, thereby leading to more frequent breathing interruptions and making your sleep apnea worse. In general, it’s best to avoid alcohol in the hours leading up to your regular bedtime.
3. Don’t Forget to Use Your Sleep Apnea Treatment
When you’re tired out from your Halloween celebrations, you might be tempted to head straight to bed. But before you do, it’s important to make sure that you’re using your regular sleep apnea treatment (which may be in the form of a personalized oral appliance or a CPAP machine). This will go a long way toward helping you enjoy a better night’s rest.
4. Eat Candy in Moderation
Going overboard on sugar could cause you to gain weight, which might make your sleep apnea symptoms worse. As such, you will want to be mindful of your candy consumption in the days following Halloween. When it comes to protecting your overall health, it’s generally best to enjoy sweet treats in moderation instead of overindulging.
Even if you have sleep apnea, you don’t need to miss out on the Halloween fun. If you follow the tips listed above, you can have an enjoyable All Hallows’ Eve while still getting the rest your body needs.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller has more than four decades of dental experience. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and he has received Fellowship and Mastership Awards from the Academy of General Dentistry. At Voller Dentistry in Kittanning, he offers personalized oral appliances for patients with sleep apnea who are CPAP intolerant. If you’re in need of sleep apnea treatment, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Voller by visiting his website or calling (724) 543-4948.