There’s a complex link between sleep apnea and depression. We can see that depression causes sleep problems and sleep problems can contribute to depression. At Warrenton Dental Center, we provide dental sleep medicine services in order to be your first line of defense against sleep apnea and other conditions. By visiting Dr. Bonnie Foster, our dentist in Warrenton, we can help treat sleep apnea.
What’s the Connection?
As dental and medical fields continue to advance, so do the links. Recently, we have seen a link between sleep apnea and depression. This is especially true because insomnia is very common among depressed patients. Evidence even suggests that people with insomnia are 10 times more likely to develop depression than those who actually get a good night’s sleep.
For those who are depressed, they can suffer from a variety of insomnia symptoms, including:
- Difficulty falling and staying asleep
- Un-refreshing sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
Obstructive sleep apnea is linked with depression because it has been found that people with depression are five times more likely to suffer from sleep-disordered breathing. Yikes!
Treating Sleep Apnea
The good news is that treating OSA may improve depression (Yay!). And, in many cases, because symptoms of depression often overlap with symptoms of sleep apnea, there can be a risk for misdiagnosis. If you suffer from depression, it is important to be screened for sleep apnea at Warrenton Dental Center. To better understand your symptoms we might ask you about:
- Snoring
- Breathing pauses while sleeping
- Disrupted sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
For more information on sleep apnea, please contact Dr. Bonnie Foster at Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Center of Virginia. Proper treatment of sleep apnea will help you find relief from sleep apnea, as well as depression.