Have you ever lay in bed late at night, staring at the clock, trying to calculate how early you’ll have to hit the hay tomorrow to make up for your lack of sleep tonight? Well, that lost time you’re trying to schedule is known as “sleep debt” and while most people intend to pay it back as soon as possible, for those with sleep apnea, this achievement is often easier said than done. Here’s a closer look at sleep debt, and why the easiest way to ‘make good’ on it is to never take it on in the first place!
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What is Sleep Debt?
A sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep your body needs and the number of hours you actually slept. So, let’s say that you require about eight hours of quality rest each night, but you only manage to get six. This means you’ll have a sleep deficit or debt of two hours that you’ll need to “pay back” to get caught up.
Payback Time
Unfortunately, much like financial debt, sleep debt comes with fees and interest. So, while you may intend to get an extra hour or two of rest tomorrow night or over the weekend, it could still take you several days to recover, even if you only lost an hour or so to begin with! In fact, studies have shown that it can take a full nine days to eliminate your deficit completely, and worse still, if you are struggling with a sleep disorder, this debt could be nearly impossible to stop accumulating, let alone pay off!
Give it a Rest: Stopping the Sleep Debt Cycle
If you are struggling to get the rest you need due to a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, you likely already know the frustration of never being able to get caught up on your rest. The good news is that your dentist offers treatment options that can help. Oral appliance therapy uses a comfortable, discreet device to position your airway open manually, so you can breathe comfortably while sleeping without the use of CPAP. With time, you should even be able to pay back that ballooning sleep debt and enjoy all the benefits of a well-rested body and mind!
Remember, while it’s nice to be able to finance things that you can’t pay for upfront, rest is not one of them. In fact, these deficits not only charge interest, but if you have sleep apnea, it can be nearly impossible to stop accruing. So, settle your balance with your body and speak to your dentist today about sleep apnea therapy – it may be the most important debt you’ll ever pay off!
About Dr. Voto
Dr. Jayson Voto earned his undergraduate degree (in zoology!) at the University of Oklahoma, and his dental doctorate at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the American Orthodontic Society, and the Oklahoma Dental Society, and regularly expands his knowledge through the Oil Capital Study club and the Spear Study Club. He’s pleased to help his patients get the rest they deserve with oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. If you’re tired of being tired and ready to get the rest you deserve, schedule a consultation for sleep apnea therapy today by visiting our website or calling 918-272-5381.