Sleep Assessment
You might have begun vaping as an alternative to traditional tobacco, but unfortunately, despite what you may have heard from the advertisements, e-cigarettes can still have a dangerous effect on your body. Among the many health issues that have been linked to vaping – including lung disease and an increased risk of cancer – one of the less obvious side effects is the impact it can have on your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Is sleep apnea in Topeka keeping you up at night? Keep reading to learn why e-cigarettes might be to blame.
What Exactly Is Vaping?
An e-cigarette works by heating up a liquid solution, turning it into a vapor (hence, “vaping”) that can be inhaled. Said liquid typically contains nicotine, chemicals, and metals that can create toxic compounds such as formaldehyde. Despite containing fewer chemicals than normal tobacco, the toxins inhaled while vaping are enough to cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the nicotine the vapor contains can raise your blood pressure, cause headaches, and inflict nausea.
So How Can Vaping Affect Sleep?
Nicotine is stimulant – in other words, it’s a substance that increases adrenaline, which in turn increases your heart rate. This makes it much more difficult for your body to settle down around bedtime, possibly leading to sleep disorders.
Importantly, patients who vape tend to suffer from more apneic events that cause breathing to pause or stop altogether while you’re asleep. These episodes interrupt the sleep cycle and often prevent you from spending enough time in the deepest stages of sleep that your mind needs to function properly. Ironically, while people who use nicotine might experience fewer apneic events during the first hour of sleep, such episodes will start to occur more frequently once nicotine withdrawal occurs. The inflammation of the nose and throat caused by e-cigarettes can also contribute to sleep apnea.
What Can You Do If Vaping is Interrupting Your Sleep?
If you believe that e-cigarettes are stopping you from getting a good night’s sleep, the first step is to give up the habit altogether. Talk to a doctor or look for resources online that can help you break your addiction.
Of course, the effects of vaping won’t vanish overnight, so you’ll also need to have your sleep disorder treated as well. You can talk to a sleep dentist if you think you have sleep apnea; they may recommend oral appliance therapy or CPAP therapy combined with an oral appliance to treat your symptoms.
Ignoring the effects of vaping can be dangerous, but a lot of the damage can be reversed if you act quickly. If you think e-cigarettes are compromising the quality of your slumber, ask yourself, “Where can I find a sleep dentist near me?”
About the Author
Dr. Michael E. Michel opened his first dental office in Topeka in 1981, and since that time he has enjoyed helping his patients lead healthier lives. He has decades of experience when it comes to treating snoring and sleep apnea, and the oral appliances he provides offer long-lasting relief. If you have reason to suspect that you’ve developed a sleep disorder through vaping, schedule an appointment at Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental by visiting Dr. Michel’s website or calling (785) 273-0802.