{"id":772,"date":"2020-05-19T19:21:18","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T19:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coloradosleepapnea.com\/?p=772"},"modified":"2020-11-12T15:43:32","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T15:43:32","slug":"sleep-apnea-in-denver-dreaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradosleepapnea.com\/blog\/sleep-apnea-in-denver-dreaming\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Untreated Sleep Apnea Could Stop You from Having Sweet Dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many people have already heard that snoring and gasping for\nair are signs of sleep\napnea<\/a>, but you may not have realized that a lack of dreams is also a common\nsymptom. Have you not been able to remember your dreams lately? There are a few\ndifferent reasons why that might happen, but one possible answer is that you\naren\u2019t dreaming at all because you have a sleep disorder. Read on to learn about\nthe health implications of dreamless sleep \u2013 and why it could be a reason for\nyou to have sleep apnea in Denver treated as soon as possible.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Understanding Dreaming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most dreaming takes place during REM sleep. REM stands for \u201crapid\neye movement\u201d, which refers to the motions your eyes make after you enter this\nstage of the sleep cycle. At this point, the brain becomes more active, which\nis what leads to dreaming; your breathing rate, blood pressure, and heart rate\nwill also increase. It usually takes about 90 minutes after falling asleep to\nenter REM sleep, and this stage normally occurs 3 to 5 times during the average\nsleep cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Sleep Apnea Disrupts Dreaming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During sleep apnea, the airway frequently becomes blocked\nthroughout the night, causing breathing to stop. When that happens, you are\nbriefly aroused from your slumber so your body can get air. This can affect dreaming\nin one of two ways. First, if you keep waking up, you may never reach REM sleep\nat all, and thus you won\u2019t have any dreams to speak of. And second, if the\ninterruptions happen while you\u2019re already in the middle of your dream, you can\nend up having a very intense nightmare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Health Implications of Sleep Apnea and a Lack of Dreams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each stage of the sleep cycle is important, but REM sleep is\nparticularly crucial since it\u2019s the point where the consolidation of memories\nusually happens. If it\u2019s being disrupted, you might end up suffering from\nmemory loss similar to that which occurs in people with Alzheimer\u2019s disease. And\nof course, a lack of sleep can lead to other health problems such as chronic\nexhaustion and heart disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should You Do If You Think You Have Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, you need to confirm that you really are experiencing\nsleep apnea by undergoing a sleep study. After that, it will be possible for\nyour sleep dentist to suggest treatment options based on the severity of your\ncase. Oral appliances are generally preferred by patients who do not want to\nuse a noisy and inconvenient CPAP machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you concerned by your lack of dreams lately, or have you\nbeen told about the strange noises you make at night? If you have any reason to\nthink your nights are anything but restful, get in touch with a professional\nthat can help you find the solution for getting the sleep you deserve!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Gary Radz first learned about oral sleep appliances when\nhe used one to successfully overcome his own severe sleep apnea. Since then, he\nhas dedicated himself to using his dental experience to providing the same care\nto other patients that are struggling with sleep-disordered breathing. If you\nare concerned about a lack of dreams or other possible signs of sleep apnea, contact\nDr. Radz at Downtown Denver Sleep Solutions through his website<\/a> or by calling\n(303) 377-5337.<\/p>\n\r\n