Meta: Slipping and falling can be dangerous for seniors, but seniors with sleep apnea can lower their risk of slipping and falling with proper sleep apnea treatment
As we age, certain things can become more dangerous than they were in our youth. For example, a slip and fall at an advanced age can cause a host of serious problems – even death. That’s why preventing slip and fall accidents is so important. Unfortunately, some medical conditions can make slipping and falling even more likely. One of those conditions is sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when you struggle to get oxygen during sleep. In the case of the most common form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, this struggle is due to the airway being blocked as you sleep. This leads you to struggle to breathe, causing snoring, gasping for air, repeated waking throughout the night, and can lead to more serious problems down the road, such as obesity, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
But now, a recent study has found that those who have sleep apnea may be more likely to slip and fall due to sleep deprivation. The good news is that the study also found that those who have sleep apnea and treat the condition are actually less likely to slip and fall!
Though the study was conducted on patients who use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device, treating your sleep apnea by other means, such as a custom sleep orthotic, may help you improve your cognitive skills and avoid a slip and fall.
That’s because when your sleep improves, so does your reaction time.
So, what can you do if you have sleep apnea but can’t stand your CPAP machine? After all, CPAP therapy won’t work unless you use it.
That’s where a custom sleep device like the ones available from Dr. Abelar can help. These devices are custom fit to your individual mouth, and work to prop the airway open naturally – by repositioning your jaw. This in turn allows you to breathe without the use of the awkward CPAP mask and uncomfortable forced air.
If you are interested in learning more about a custom sleep orthotic from Dr. Abelar, and improve your sleep and waking moments, please contact the office for a consultation today!
