If you’re tired of constantly feeling exhausted due to sleep apnea, you’re likely looking for ways to get the problem under control. You may have heard that using a weighted blanket can often help you get a better night’s rest. Could it also potentially aid with your sleep-disordered breathing? Below is a brief overview of what you need to know when it comes to weighted blankets and their effect on sleep apnea.
How Weighted Blankets Work
When you’re under a weighted blanket, it applies gentle yet firm pressure that is evenly distributed throughout your body. This is called deep pressure stimulation, and it causes a sensation that’s similar to being hugged. Deep pressure stimulation has the benefit of helping you feel calmer and more relaxed, which can make it easier to get a good night’s sleep.
Weighted Blankets and Sleep Apnea
If you’re currently using an oral appliance to treat sleep apnea, then a weighted blanket could potentially help further improve the quality of your sleep in the following ways:
- Deep pressure stimulation causes the body to produce oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” This is significant because research indicates that higher oxytocin levels can have a positive impact on sleep apnea symptoms.
- Sleeping under a weighted blanket can help you feel less stressed. Sleep apnea encourages the production of cortisol, which is a hormone that plays a key role in the body’s stress response. But with a weighted blanket, you can reduce cortisol levels, thus helping you feel more at ease while you’re in bed.
- One of the benefits of deep pressure stimulation is that it can lower your blood pressure. This can be good news if you’ve been experiencing elevated blood pressure levels due to sleep apnea.
It should be noted that a weighted blanket is not a substitute for professional sleep apnea treatment. In fact, if your sleep disorder has yet to be addressed by an expert, the additional weight could potentially make the problem worse by putting extra pressure on the chest, thereby making it harder to breathe. That being said, a weighted blanket can still prove beneficial if you’ve already taken the appropriate steps to treat your sleep-disordered breathing.
In short, there can potentially be several advantages to sleeping with a weighted blanket when you have sleep apnea. If you’re interested in using a weighted blanket to improve the quality of your sleep, talk to your sleep dentist or your regular physician to see what they recommend.
About the Author
Dr. Pam West has decades of experience under her belt, having graduated from the University of Southern California Dental School in 1987. She is currently a member of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, and various other professional organizations. At iSleepSolutions in Las Vegas, she offers personalized treatments for patients who are suffering from sleep apnea. If you’re looking for a solution for sleep-disordered breathing, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. West by visiting her website or calling (702) 602-2000.