Living with rheumatoid arthritis can become a bothersome and painful problem, making it hard to complete daily tasks and get much-needed rest at night. Trying to get comfortable while lying in bed can be exacerbated by aching joint inflammation, but when you add sleep apnea to the mix, this already difficult task becomes even more challenging. Read on to discover the link between these two conditions and what you can do to not only get relief but also a restful slumber.
What is the Connection Between Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Sleep Apnea?
There are several potential links that researchers point to when discussing RA and sleep apnea:
- Inflammation: When joints become inflamed due to RA, it can hinder your normal sleep patterns. The proteins found in this disease are clinically known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF). If TNF levels are high, the likeliness of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases.
- Weight Gain/Obesity: One of the most common risk factors associated with OSA is obesity. Although not everyone who is obese has RA and vice versa, both involve the issue of swelling and infection. When fat cells encourage the production of inflammatory proteins, it can serve as a contributing factor to RA.
- Structural Abnormalities: Although individuals who live with RA experience joint inflammation in the hands, knees, ankles, and other similar areas, it can also manifest in other parts of the body, such as the jaw. As a result, the chances of developing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) increase, especially if you have an underdeveloped lower jaw.
How to Achieve Relief From RA & Get Necessary Sleep
If you have RA, you’re probably already working with your local physician to identify ways to manage your condition and alleviate as much inflammation and joint pain as possible. However, if you have yet to see a sleep expert to discuss your frequent nighttime interruptions, you’ll want to inquire about possible treatment.
Finding a professional who will work closely with your doctor is beneficial, as you’ll be able to take a more comprehensive approach when addressing the problem. With a sleep dentist, you can expect to undergo a lab-based or at-home study that monitors and analyzes your vitals at night before delivering a firm diagnosis.
From there, they can recommend one or more treatment options to help reduce the number of apnea episodes each night. This might include a custom-made oral appliance that shifts the jaw to prevent an obstruction and encourage proper airflow, a CPAP machine that forces air into the nose or mouth, or surgical intervention.
Once you begin sleep apnea treatment with a trusted professional, you’ll begin to notice a difference in how rested you feel when waking up. Combine this with helpful ways to manage your RA (i.e., eating healthy foods, reducing stress, exercising, etc.), and you’ll be able to take control of your life once and for all.
About the Practice
Our team at Star Sleep & Wellness in Plano believes in helping patients get much-needed rest. When health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis keep individuals from getting an adequate night’s sleep, we want to find a solution. If you struggle with joint pain and inflammation as well as chronic fatigue, contact us to schedule an appointment and find out what options we provide.