The Woodlands Sleep Dentist Blog
Is Your Cellphone Affecting Your Sleep Quality?
August 7, 2020
Cellphones and Your Sleep Quality
According to a recent study, researchers found using electronic devices before going to bed affects the body’s melatonin secretions. Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates your wake-sleep cycle. If your biological clock is unbalanced, it can make it difficult to get a full night’s rest. This can lead to daytime fatigue, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.
Although researchers don’t know exactly how the glow from the devices interferes with your sleep quality, they know the body’s internal clock is sensitive to the blue light emitted from electronics. In addition, the brightness of the screens may also play a role. Researchers found people who use cellphones and other devices before sleeping are less tired at bedtime and not as alert after getting up in the morning.
If you must check your phone before bed or want to watch your favorite TV show, researchers recommend turning down the brightness or using a screen filter. Although these two simple steps might help, there’s no substitute for a good night’s rest.
Tips to Get a Better Night’s Rest
If you’re struggling to get the sleep you need, simple changes can make a big difference. Improving your sleep hygiene can help you wake up feeling well-rested. Here are 6 tips to promote a better night’s sleep:
- Give yourself time to decompress after a long day by practicing stress-relieving exercises.
- Avoid any stimulants for at least 2 hours before bed, like alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco.
- Eat a light snack before bed.
- Create a comfortable environment.
- Take a warm bath 2-3 hours before bed.
- Stick to a schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
If changes to your sleep routine aren’t enough, there might be a bigger issue causing you to feel tired throughout the day, like sleep apnea. The sleep disorder results from an obstruction in the airway that leads to pauses in breathing. As a result, chronic snoring is a common symptom.
If you aren’t getting the rest you need, and you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s time to see your sleep dentist for a personalized treatment plan.
About Dr. Robert Dernick
Dr. Robert Dernick provides high-quality dental care; however, he has also undergone advanced training in sleep dentistry. He uses invasive solutions to help his patients breathe easier and sleep better, like oral appliances. If you’re struggling with chronic snoring or sleep apnea, contact our office today to get the relief you need.
Even Famous People Have Sleep Apnea
July 7, 2020
Are you losing a good night’s rest because you wake often choking or gasping for air? Maybe your loud snoring is keeping your partner awake? You might suffer from a disorder called obstructive sleep apnea, which causes frequent pauses in breathing while sleeping. This can create several symptoms that affect many areas of your life, including your heart health and your mood. Although it might seem like an isolating condition, over 22 million Americans also have the disorder, even celebrities. Thankfully, you don’t need to live with the symptoms influencing your quality of life. With the right treatment from your sleep apnea dentist in The Woodlands, no one will even know you have the condition.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Noticeable Issues with Dreaming?
May 10, 2020

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can leave you feeling groggy during the day, but the problems don’t stop there. It can also lead to other issues, one of which being changes in your dreams. While some people may experience fewer dreams because of the condition, others can find themselves facing frightening nightmares. As you continue reading, you’ll learn more about these problems and find out how a sleep apnea dentist can help you recover.
(more…)How Seasonal Allergies Can Make Sleep Apnea Symptoms Worse
April 15, 2020

During the winter months, you think about the approaching spring season as motivation to get through the cold and overcast days. However, as the earth warms up and the trees and flowers begin to blossom, the excess pollen can take a toll on your sinuses. For some people, allergy flare-ups can even impact their sleep, and especially worsen the symptoms of sleep apnea. Read on to learn about the connection between the two conditions and what can be done about it.
(more…)Why Do I Snore at Night? A Local Sleep Dentist Answers
March 17, 2020

Have you been told that you frequently snore loudly while you sleep? If so, it can make life harder for your partner or family members. One of the causes may be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious condition that affects millions of Americans. Read on to learn about some of the other contributing factors. You’ll also discover how a local sleep dentist can provide oral appliance therapy in the Woodlands, TX, so you can get the quiet rest you need.
(more…)CPAP and MAD: Two Reliable Solutions for Sleep Apnea
March 12, 2020

If you’ve heard about sleep apnea in The Woodlands, it probably sounds pretty frightening; not only do you stop breathing during the night, but you could eventually end up suffering from a possibly fatal heart attack. Fortunately, treatment for this disorder exists, and in fact you have a few different options; the question, though is: are they reliable? Read on to learn more about CPAP and MAD – two treatments that could be essential for letting you enjoy a full night of quality rest again.
(more…)Safety First: Why Commercial Drivers Should Be Sleep Tested
January 18, 2020

If you drive a bus, a truck, or any other kind of large commercial vehicle, you probably already know that getting plenty of sleep every night is an important part of the job. The last thing you want is to doze off at the wrong moment and cause a dangerous accident. But even if you’re giving yourself plenty of time to rest, you could still be suffering from a disorder that’s preventing you from getting the quality sleep you need even if you don’t realize it! To learn more about the dangers of being a commercial driver with sleep apnea in The Woodlands and the importance of having a sleep test done, keep reading.
(more…)Why Obesity Could Stop You from Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
December 16, 2019

Obesity has long been an epidemic in the United States, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down; in 2019, the CDC found that more than one-third of American adults (36.5%) were overweight. You probably already know that excessive weight can lead to numerous health problems, but did you realize that it’s also one of the common causes of snoring in The Woodlands? Or that it can contribute to disorders like sleep apnea that could drastically shorten your life? Here’s what you need to know about obesity and the way it affects the quality of your sleep.
(more…)Causes of Snoring and Treatment Options
November 20, 2019
Everyone snores from time to time, but if it has turned into an ongoing problem, there may be a serious underlying medical condition causing it. Snoring is often a common sign of a disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. It causes several pauses in breathing while sleeping because of an obstruction in the airway. Your dentist can help determine if you have sleep apnea to create an effective snoring treatment in The Woodlands. You can breathe easier and sleep soundly with an oral appliance.
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Not a Fan of CPAP? Finding Other Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea
October 20, 2019
It goes without saying that a good night’s sleep is essential for staying healthy, which is why it’s vital to treat sleep apnea that could be lowering the quality of your rest. But did you know many patients give up on their sleep apnea therapy? This is because they find they simply can’t tolerate the CPAP machines that are traditionally used for treatment. Read on to learn why many patients quit using CPAP – as well as some CPAP alternatives in The Woodlands that can still help you get the rest your body deserves and needs.