Aren’t naps great? The feeling of being all warm and cozy under a fluffy blanket and waking up with more pep in your step is wonderful.
According to the National Sleep Foundation:
- Short power naps of about 20 minutes can be beneficial by helping you feel refreshed and able to meet the demands of the day.
- Naps are best before 2:00pm so they do not affect nighttime sleep.
- Research shows that when people napped around 30 minutes, they had better memory recall and superior overall cognition than both non-nappers and those who napped longer.
However, most adults do not need to nap and excessive daytime sleepiness and the need to nap during the day is just one of many signs of a sleep disorder, which may include Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I need a nap on a regular basis?
- Do I feel tired during the day?
- Do people say that I stop breathing when I nap?
- Do people say I breathe loudly when I nap?
Daytime sleepiness can be dangerous to yourself and others, as in “do no operate heavy machinery or a moving vehicle.”
Research has shown that fatigue significantly increases the risk of accidents and incidents in heavy equipment operations. Fatigue impairs cognitive and physical abilities, leading to decreased concentration, slower reactions, and compromised decision-making.
It may also be a sign of another sleep disorder besides a sleep related breathing disorder like Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Misdiagnosis and treatment may make sleep worse. This is why the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea must be made by a qualified Sleep Physician.
Asking questions to yourself and helps you to get the health care provider the information they need to better help you. Sleep issues are highly complex and may involve a village of health care providers.
Dr. Maruko screens her patients for daytime sleepiness and the need to nap, is an important clue in Sleep and Airway Orthodontics. The position and shape of the teeth and jaws may be contributing to the need to take a nap and is taken into consideration during evaluation and treatment planning. Give yourself the attention you deserve and take a step towards a happier healthier day with a bigger brighter smile. Ask yourself these questions today.