Reduce Depressive Symptoms with Sleep Apnea Treatment

Not only does sleep refresh your body, it can also change your mental state. New research indicates that getting the right amount of sleep will actually improve depressive symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with or believe you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), treatment of this disorder with a CPAP machine can actually change your mental state for the better. Researchers from the University of Calgary found that the use of CPAP machines in patients with diagnosed OSA will actually improve depressive symptoms.

One of the interesting things about sleep apnea coupled and depressive symptoms is many of the most common symptoms overlap. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, major depression has recognizable symptoms that include: sadness, insomnia, appetite problems, thoughts of suicide, poor concentration, insomnia, and excessive guilt, and fatigue. Patients with sleep apnea may also have issues with fatigue, insomnia, and even more.

The use of a CPAP machine for sleep apnea treatment can also correct the range of depressive systems patients may experience. The researchers of the study noted small improvements in common symptoms based on baseline surveys. It is worth noting that those patients with the most severe depressive orders were the ones most likely to experience relief, “Our results illustrate that the greatest benefit of CPAP treatment on depressive symptoms may occur in populations with worse depression scores at the baseline.”

This study once again reveals that your body’s systems are interconnected. When your body is not getting the proper refresh during sleep, it can change the balance you have in your body. If you believe you have sleep apnea and hope to benefit both physically and mentally through treatment, schedule an appointment with our sleep doctors. Some of the signs you may notice if you are suffering from sleep apnea are loud snoring, waking up with a sore throat, forgetfulness, sleepiness throughout the day, waking up and trying to catch your breath, and headaches in the morning.

Schedule an appointment today with the sleep doctors at FusionSleep to discuss the symptoms you are experiencing and to get assessed for a sleep disorder.