When it comes to bedtime, many medical experts believe popping a Xanax may not be your best bet. This medication, like other sedatives, is great for helping people relax. For people with sleep apnea, it may relax you a little too much. This is why vitamins for sleep apnea or melatonin for sleep apnea may be a better bet.
Health Risks of Xanax and Sleep Apnea
According to medical experts, taking Xanax when you have sleep apnea can carry some significant health risks due to its muscle-relaxant and sedative effects. Here are just a few of the risks Xanax may pose:
- Worsening airways: Xanax relaxes the muscles around the throat. This is exactly what you don’t want to happen when you’re dealing with sleep apnea! The last thing you need is anything that causes your airway to collapse, making it even harder for you to breathe at night.
- Less oxygen: With Xanax, you may experience more frequent and more intense sleep apnea episodes, which can lower oxygen levels while you sleep. Less oxygen means your heart has to work harder. Over time, this can increase the risk of serious health issues, especially if you’re already at risk for heart problems.
- Sleepier days: After taking a sedative like Xanax, you may feel more tired than usual. When combined with untreated or worsened sleep apnea, Xanax may make you extra groggy during the day. This could make it very dangerous to drive or work and lower your overall quality of life.
- Dependency and withdrawal: The likelihood of becoming dependent on Xanax is fairly high, especially if you use it often or over an extended period. That’s why it’s usually a short-term solution and another reason it’s not recommended for sleep apnea.
Other Supplements for Sleep Apnea
Any major health decisions should be made with your doctor. Be sure to talk with them before making significant changes to your routine. That said, if you’re looking for ways to ease your sleep apnea symptoms without worrying about the risks Xanax poses, here are some other options people use to get a good night’s sleep:
- Tirzepatide: Usually taken for type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide is sometimes used for sleep apnea as it’s known to promote weight loss and can reduce the amount of tissue around the neck and throat, potentially easing airway blockages while you sleep.
- L-theanine: An amino acid found in tea leaves, L-theanine is often taken to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. While it doesn’t directly treat sleep apnea or prevent airway blockages, it can be a helpful supplement for those with sleep apnea because it supports relaxation and stress reduction.
- Ashwagandha: Known to calm, ashwagandha may help manage stress and help you sleep better, particularly for those who experience anxiety or stress-related sleep issues.
Other supplements like magnesium and Vitamin D could also improve your overall sleep quality and make you more relaxed before bed.
Our Approach to Sleep Apnea
While we all wish there were a magic pill to cure sleep apnea symptoms, unfortunately, there isn’t. At Optimal Circadian Health, we believe the best way to manage sleep apnea is to target the root causes, rather than just the symptoms.
Treating the root causes involves looking at lifestyle factors that can contribute to sleep apnea. These might be diet, weight, exercise habits, breathing routines, and your nightly sleep hygiene. Our book, Sleep Apnea Solution, has tips and tricks to help you make these changes in your lifestyle.
By working on underlying factors, you may find you’re not just managing the symptoms of sleep apnea–you’re building a healthier sleep foundation that supports you over the long term!
