Sleep apnea, a common disorder disrupting the sleep of many, often goes unnoticed in a subpopulation: athletes. Doctors Raul Garcia and Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia at Miami Designer Smiles have seen this firsthand. Many athletes are unaware that their sleep quality, and subsequent performance, might be affected by a sleeping disorder. It’s time to delve deeper into this issue and highlight the solutions that athletes can embrace.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is more than just an annoying habit of snoring loudly—it’s a serious sleep disorder that involves repeated stops and starts of breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway. It is known to occur in all populations, including the unlikely candidate, athletes.
Why are Athletes Affected?
Athletes, celebrated for their top-notch physical condition and endurance, may seem like the last group to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Yet, their high muscle mass, especially in the upper body, can lead to a narrowing of the airway, making them more prone to the condition. Those involved in strength-based sports, like weightlifting or football, have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to an increased neck circumference from high muscle mass.
The Hidden Challenge for Athletes
For athletes, efficient sleep is not just about feeling refreshed—it can be a key factor in their game performance, muscle recovery, and cognitive function. Suboptimal sleep can severely affect their overall performance. Here’s how:
- Decreased Performance: Sleep deprivation leads to a reduction in aerobic output and can slow down reaction times.
- Longer Recovery Time: Sleep is essential for muscle recovery. Without enough of it, an athlete’s body does not have the chance to heal itself effectively.
- Affected Cognitive Function: Lack of quality sleep can affect mood, decision-making skills, ability to learn and remember information, and overall mental health.
The Challenge of Diagnosis
Athletes are often misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed as they may not fit the typical profile of someone with sleep apnea—older, overweight, or a regular snorer.
Addressing Sleep Apnea in Athletes
There are various ways sleep apnea can be tackled to improve athletes’ performance. At Miami Designer Smiles, we offer comprehensive care to combat sleep apnea effectively.
NightLase Treatment
Miami Designer Smiles offers NightLase—a non-invasive treatment for snoring and conditions of mild sleep apnea. Using light to tighten the soft tissues in the throat, it helps improve breathing and reduce snoring, leading to quality sleep.
Customized Oral Devices
For athletes with sleep apnea, an oral device custom-fitted by experienced dentists can help keep the airway open during sleep.
Myofunctional Therapy
An overlooked aspect of sleep apnea treatment is myofunctional therapy. This therapy involves exercises that improve the tongue’s position, swallowing patterns, and breathing.
Lifestyle Changes
Improvement in diet, incorporation of exercises specifically targeted to improve breathing and upper airway muscle tone can also be beneficial for athletes dealing with sleep apnea.
Take Control of Your Sleep Today
Athletes do not need to continue suffering from inadequate sleep due to sleep apnea. By recognizing and addressing this issue, they can improve not just their athletic performance, but also their overall health. Remember, quality sleep is an essential component of your training routine and a key to your success in your sport.
At Miami Designer Smiles, Dr. Raul Garcia and Dr. Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia are committed to helping athletes tackle sleep apnea and pave the road towards quality sleep and soaring performance.