Don’t Let Cold & Flu Season Rob You Of Sleep
Navigating cold and flu season with sleep apnea can be tricky. Whether you’re sick yourself or tending to a sick partner or child, sleep disruptions are a real risk in the fall and winter. We have some tips to help you and your family get through this season without compromising your health. Keep reading to learn more.
Cold & Flu Season Has Begun
Kids are back in school, and the germs are circulating. Even if you don’t have school-aged children or grandchildren yourself, chances are that some of your coworkers and friends do, which means they may be spreading the viruses that cause cold and flu around the office or at social events. Aside from the normal precautions you are probably already taking, if you have sleep apnea, we recommend being extra vigilant.
Respiratory illness, nasal congestion, and sleep apnea don’t mix. Studies suggest that there’s a link between untreated sleep apnea and flu-related complications, including hospitalization. We know that sleep is essential for your immune system to function properly. When you’re not getting quality sleep, your body is less able to fight off viral infection and more prone to severe illness.
What To Do When You Get Sick
The most important piece of advice we can give you during this cold and flu season is to continue your sleep apnea therapy even when you’re sick to minimize the number of sleep disturbances you experience. Getting good-quality sleep when you are ill is essential.
We also recommend that you thoroughly clean your oral appliance or CPAP equipment after each use to prevent harmful germs from building up in the crevices and avoid reintroducing them into your body. Here are more tips for when a cold or flu strikes:
- The humidifier is your friend. Keeping your environment humid will help drain mucous from nasal passages and reduce throat irritation. You’ll have an easier time breathing while you sleep when the air is not as dry.
- Make gravity work for you. Propping up your head with pillows or cushions while you rest can reduce nasal congestion and make breathing easier, as mucous will drain downward.
- Don’t forget to stay hydrated. While you may not have an appetite or much energy, you still need to drink plenty of fluids, including water, hot tea, and broth, to thin out mucous and soothe throat irritation.
- Stock your medicine cabinet. Over-the-counter nasal sprays, saline rinses, decongestants, throat lozenges, fever reducers, cough drops, and more: your local pharmacy has everything you need to ease symptoms while the virus runs its course. Be sure to use OTC medications only as directed and consult your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Your sleep may also suffer when you have to take care of a sick family member, and sometimes that can’t be avoided. Our best advice is to rest as much as you can and remember to also take care of yourself while you’re caring for someone else. It is just as important for you to stay hydrated and fed while you’re tending to your family’s needs.
Call Us!
If you’re concerned about getting quality sleep and continuing your sleep apnea treatment while you’re ill, please contact your sleep doctor at one of our offices located in Silverdale, Federal Way, and Bellevue, WA. We can advise you on what to do if you get sick this cold and flu season. We’re always here to help!
