Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Address Your Sleep Apnea

When temperatures drop and daylight hours dwindle, getting enough quality sleep becomes even more important. But if you’re living with sleep apnea, winter can make an already exhausting condition feel worse. Cold weather, dry air, and seasonal habits can contribute to your restless nights, leading to daytime sleepiness.

At Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, our pulmonary specialists, Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Preshant Patel, consider winter an ideal time to address your sleep apnea. With slower schedules, more time indoors, and easier access to diagnostic testing, we can set you up for better sleep by spring. 

About your sleep apnea

More than 30% of adults in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form of the sleep disorder. OSA occurs when the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing that disrupt sleep.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common and occurs when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Some people have mixed sleep apnea, a combination of OSA and CSA. 

Snoring, daytime sleepiness, and waking up gasping for air are common symptoms of sleep apnea. Regardless of the type, untreated sleep apnea leads to repeated breathing interruptions that can seriously affect sleep quality and long-term health. 

How winter worsens sleep apnea symptoms

Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms often intensify during winter months, with people having more frequent breathing disruptions than in warmer months. Several factors may contribute to this seasonal pattern, such as:

Cold and dry air

Cold and dry air irritates and constricts the airway, which may make it harder to breathe. Dry indoor air may further exacerbate the irritation. 

Respiratory infections

Winter is cold and flu season, and both viral infections cause upper respiratory symptoms that can make breathing harder at night. Seasonal allergies may also contribute to breathing disruptions this time of year.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle may also play a role in worsening symptoms. The cold weather may affect your activity level and potentially lead to weight gain, both of which can worsen symptoms.

Seasonal mood changes

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia also increase in winter months, which may also interfere with restful sleep.

Winter is the perfect time for treatment

While you can seek help for your sleep apnea any time of year, winter often provides the perfect opportunity to focus on your sleep health. After the holidays, many people have lighter schedules, making it easier to book appointments and complete sleep studies.

Because you may spend more time at home, we can arrange an at-home sleep study to gather preliminary data about your sleep quality. If needed, a follow-up in-lab sleep study provides a more detailed evaluation. 

Treating sleep apnea for all-year benefits

Addressing your sleep apnea can dramatically improve your sleep quality and overall health. Getting help for your sleep disorder now can mean waking up refreshed by spring. 

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. At Respacare’s CPAP clinic, our team helps you find the right mask, machine, and airflow settings for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

For those who can’t tolerate CPAP, we offer oral appliance therapy and Inspire® therapy, an implanted device that gently stimulates the nerves that control airway muscles to keep them open.

We also provide comprehensive support for lifestyle changes, including weight loss support with Zepbound®. 

Sleep is essential for good health, from energy and focus to heart and immune function. Don’t let sleep apnea rob you of rest and vitality. We can help you breathe easier, sleep more deeply and feel your best. 

Call us today or request an appointment online.