Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center
Sleep apnea is one of the most common issues treated at the Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center because of the impacts it can have on a person’s overall wellness.
Sleep apnea and mental health are deeply connected, yet many people overlook how one can exacerbate the other.
In fact, while some mental health issues may take months or years of counseling to improve, untreated sleep apnea could be significantly worsening these conditions. But this also means addressing sleep apnea first could pave the way for better mental health outcomes.
Dr. Mitch Conditt of Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center highlights that treating sleep apnea can be much quicker than many realize, offering patients a path to relief that doesn't require long-term struggles.
Imagine living with disrupted sleep for years, constantly feeling fatigued, irritable, and unable to focus. By treating sleep apnea early, you remove a significant hurdle in the way of achieving better mental health.
Instead of struggling with months or years of therapy without addressing a fundamental cause of sleep loss, patients can get on a faster track to feeling better both mentally and physically.
Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center-Dr Mitch Conditt
The Overlap Between Sleep Apnea and Mental Health
Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep, is more than just an inconvenience. It can wreak havoc on your mental well-being.
For those struggling with mental health issues—whether it's anxiety, depression, PTSD, or mood disorders—untreated sleep apnea can worsen these symptoms. Research shows that poor sleep quality contributes to increased levels of stress, irritability, and cognitive dysfunction.
“There is absolutely a correlation between sleep apnea and mental issues, and while treatment for mental issues can never cure sleep apnea, getting someone restful sleep can very often help
patients with mental issues,” Dr. Conditt explained. “You could imagine if someone has been living with about one hour of quality sleep a night for years how that could affect every aspect of their daily life.”
Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center
According to the Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center, sleep apnea is the second most common sleep disorder in the world.
Addressing sleep apnea can offer immediate and long-term benefits for all aspects of your health. Many patients report improved quality of sleep on the very first night of treatment. When sleep improves, it has a cascading effect on mental clarity, mood, and overall emotional stability.
This doesn’t mean treating sleep apnea will cure mental health issues, but by removing sleep deprivation from the equation, patients often find it easier to work through their emotional and psychological challenges.
“Both conditions need to be treated but mental health issues can take many visits for counseling to improve while the sleep apnea can be improved much quicker,” Dr. Conditt said. “Someone should not go through many months or years working to improve their mental issues then see if they have sleep apnea when they can be tested for sleep apnea and treated (if they test positive) in a much shorter time. Then you can take sleep apnea off the table and work on the mental health issues.”
Sleep Apnea is Easier to Diagnose and Treat Than You Think
One of the reasons people delay testing for sleep apnea is the misconception that they need to undergo a costly, uncomfortable overnight study in a sleep lab and use a bulky CPAP machine if diagnosed. However, this isn't the case.
Understanding The Next steps
The Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center emphasizes that most patients can be tested for sleep apnea using a home sleep test in the comfort of their own bed. No need for an overnight stay in a lab.
Additionally, while CPAP is a common treatment, it’s not the only option. Many patients prefer an oral appliance, which is simpler and more comfortable to use, making them more likely to stick with the treatment.
These oral devices are similar to mouthguards and can lead to significant improvements in sleep quality from the very first night, providing the much-needed rest that can positively influence mental health.
Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center
Knowing CPAP therapy is uncomfortable for many, the Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center also offers oral appliance therapy treatments for sleep apnea.
People also put off getting tested simply because they don’t think they have sleep apnea, when in reality, a higher percentage of people have it than you’d think.
Some studies have shown if someone snores four times a week or more, there is an over 80% chance that person has sleep apnea. That number rises to 88% if they also have conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, or heart issues.
Given the strong correlation between snoring and sleep apnea, it’s crucial that both patients and mental health professionals pay attention to sleep symptoms like daytime fatigue, sleepiness, or snoring.
It’s not just about sleep—it’s about overall well-being.
How to Find Out if You May Have Sleep Apnea
Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center is here to help snoring and sleep apnea patients get back to better overall wellness. You can learn more about sleep apnea and the Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center online at fortworthsnoringandsleepcenter.com or by calling their office at 817-527-8500.
