If sleep apnea has been leaving you feeling more tired than normal during the day, you’re probably searching for ways to get a better night’s rest. You may have heard of people being able to improve the quality of their sleep with a weighted blanket. Could this simple sleep aid help reduce your sleep apnea symptoms? Below is a brief overview of how weighted blankets work and their potential impact on sleep-disordered breathing.
How Do Weighted Blankets Help You Sleep Better?
The main effect of using a weighted blanket is that it puts a small amount of pressure on your whole body throughout the night. Said pressure can go a long way toward helping you feel calmer; many people compare it to the feeling of receiving a warm hug from a loved one. On top of that, the pressure can also reduce your heart rate and settle down your nervous system. All of this can make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
How Can Weighted Blankets Affect Sleep Apnea?
Generally speaking, weighted blankets are not the best option for untreated sleep apnea. This is due to the fact that sleep apnea is characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing. Putting additional weight on top of you while you sleep could potentially make your breathing problems worse.
That being said, if your sleep apnea is already being properly managed with the help of an oral appliance, a weighted blanket could go a long way toward helping you further improve the quality of your slumber. Here are some of the benefits that this sleep aid can offer:
- Increased Oxytocin: One of the side effects of a weighted blanket is that it encourages the body to produce more oxytocin, which is sometimes referred to as the feel-good hormone. It has been found that higher levels of oxytocin could help make sleep apnea symptoms less severe.
- Decreased Blood Pressure: Raised blood pressure is commonly a consequence of sleep apnea. Weighted blankets can potentially help address this particular issue since they have the benefit of lowering blood pressure.
- Decreased Stress: Sleep apnea and stress are often closely related. In many cases, weighted blankets can help lower feelings of stress by decreasing the production of the hormone cortisol.
Are you interested in getting a weighted blanket to help with your sleep apnea? If so, you should speak with your dentist and your sleep doctor first. They can help you figure out whether a weighted blanket is truly right for you based on your unique situation.
About the Author
Dr. Laura Gramse has been providing high-quality dental care to patients in Springfield for more than 35 years. She is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and she currently holds membership with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine as well as other organizations. At her current practice, Dr. Laura Gramse Family Dental Care, she offers personalized oral appliances to help patients overcome their sleep-disordered breathing. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Gramse by visiting her website or calling (413) 783-6907.