I Wake up Tired

I Wake Up Tired—What Could Be the Reasons?

Waking up tired is a common problem experienced by many. It can result from several factors, such as poor sleep quality, medical conditions, or merely lifestyle choices. A major contributor often overlooked is sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that causes brief interruptions in breathing during sleep.

At Sleep Better Philly, we provide non-surgical sleep apnea treatments for patients of all ages. We believe in a comprehensive approach to treating sleep apnea, addressing the root cause, and improving overall health and well-being.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a severe sleeping disorder wherein an individual’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This disruption in breathing can disturb one’s sleep, leading to various health complications if not treated promptly. Several factors can contribute to the cessation of breathing, including age, alcohol consumption, obesity, and genetics.

There are two main types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is largely associated with physical factors like enlarged tonsils, excess soft tissues in the throat due to obesity, or certain genetic syndromes that result in a smaller airway. Individuals with obstructive apnea often snore, choke, or make snorting noises in their sleep.

2. Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is more of a neurological problem. The brain fails to signal the muscles concerned with respiratory processes, causing the breathing rhythm to be out of sync. Individuals suffering from this type of sleep apnea often find it difficult to sleep, feel shortness of breath, or wake up with chest or throat pain.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Sleep?

Irregular Breathing

One of the harshest ways sleep apnea affects you at night is by disrupting your breathing patterns. When you have sleep apnea, the soft tissue in your throat collapses, causing blockages in your airways, therefore, you may struggle to breathe efficiently.

You may stop breathing for several seconds during sleep. This issue causes frequent gasping as your body goes into emergency mode to receive oxygen.

Your body goes through a lot when you experience this sleep disorder. But, frighteningly, if you live alone, you may not realize you have sleep apnea. That is why you must pay attention to your energy levels in the morning.

Loud Snoring

Another symptom of sleep apnea is obnoxious snoring. Most of us know what living with a loud snorer is like. In many cases, this snoring volume is due to sleep apnea. When sleep apnea disrupts your breathing pattern, it causes you to breathe heavily through your blocked airways. Thus, it leads to increased snoring.

Fatigue

Despite being in a deep sleep for several hours, you may still question, “Why do I wake up tired?” This feeling of fatigue, even after a full night’s rest, can be attributed to irregular breathing during sleep.

Just like when you hold your breath for a long duration, and your heart rate decreases, only to increase when you start breathing quickly to make up for the lost time—this imitates the effects you experience due to sleep apnea that can leave you feeling exhausted in the mornings.

Why Is It Essential to Seek Treatment for Sleep Apnea?

It is crucial to seek treatment for sleep apnea because it is a severe disorder that can lead to life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of:

High Blood Pressure
Heart Attack
Stroke
Obesity
Diabetes

Apart from these, untreated sleep apnea can lead to poor performance in everyday activities such as at work and school, car accidents, and mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Therefore, treating sleep apnea is essential for maintaining overall health and quality of life.

Our Non-Invasive Treatment for Sleep Apnea

We do not provide surgery for sleep apnea patients. However, Dr. Christine Han, who has been treating individuals with this condition for years, recommends oral appliance therapy.

Oral appliance therapy has gained considerable attention as an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Recent findings also indicate a high level of evidence supporting the effectiveness of oral appliance therapy in treating OSA.

Oral appliance therapy involves the use of devices such as mandibular advancement devices. Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are similar to sports mouthguards and are the most commonly used oral appliances for sleep apnea. They fit over the upper and lower dental arches and have metal hinges that allow the lower jaw to be eased forward. By moving the jaw forward, the device prevents the soft tissue in the back of the throat from collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep.

Wake Up Rejuvenated

Book a Consultation Today

Sleep apnea is not just an annoyance; it’s a serious condition that can significantly impact quality of life and health. At Sleep Better Philly, we provide comprehensive assessment and guidance to help battle this disorder. If you’re tired, literally, of waking up tired, give us a call today. There’s always an answer to sleep better, breathe easier, and live fuller.