Athletes and Sleep Apnea
What do Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie White, Ryan Jensen, and Roy Green have in common besides all being famous athletes? They all suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can affect people from any walk of life.
Athletes with sleep apnea have more than just snoring issues. Sleep apnea affects their performance in many ways. Sleep is disrupted multiple times a night, which can lead to fatigue during the day, decreased stamina while participating in sports, and even impaired cognitive function. Many athletes may not realize they have this condition, as symptoms like tiredness or sleepiness during the day can be mistaken for training fatigue. Everyone needs to be aware of this issue. Treatment is crucial for maintaining your best performance and athletic health.
How We Can Help
We’re reaching out in support of athletes who want to optimize their performance by addressing this commonly overlooked issue of sleep apnea. As a licensed dentist with over 30 years of experience—and more than a decade dedicated to treating sleep apnea—we’re passionate about helping athletes improve not just their sports performance, but their overall health.
Why Treating Athletes and Sleep Apnea Matters
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that disrupts breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen levels. For athletes and sleep apena, this can mean slower recovery, poor endurance, and underwhelming performance. Alarmingly, a study published in the Journal of Sports Science found that up to 80% of athletes with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed.
Here’s what poor sleep can affect:
- VO2 max and oxygen use – Your body’s ability to take in and use oxygen is key to performance. Sleep apnea can decrease this, limiting stamina and endurance.
- Cognitive sharpness and reaction time – Lack of quality sleep dulls mental performance, which is crucial in competitive settings.
- Injury risk – Sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of injuries, including concussions. Research shows adolescents who sleep less than 8 hours a night are at greater risk.
- Recovery and healing – Sleep directly influences the body’s ability to repair itself. Poor sleep disrupts hormone production, increases inflammation, and slows down recovery.
Young Female Athletes and Sleep Apnea Is More Common than Previously Believed
According to another recent study, sleep apnea may be more common in young female athletes than was previously thought. Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been observed in young male athletes for many years. But the sleep apnea problem in young female athletes has not been studied in the past.
There is a big overlap in the symptoms of sleep deprivation and sleep apnea, both of which are common in athletes.
Signs and Symptoms
Other than the obvious signs of loud snoring, choking, or gasping while sleeping, there can be more subtle signs such as:
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- General lack of energy
- Headaches in the morning
- Not feeling rested after 8 or more hours of sleep
- Waking up consistently with a sore throat or dry mouth
Athletes and sleep apnea issues can be optimized for their health and performance by getting needed help for sleep apnea issues. While many people are aware of CPAP machines, there are other options available that are less invasive. Take action now by contacting our office and getting the support you need to achieve your goals.
There’s a Simple Solution to Treat Athletes and Sleep Apnea
Our office at Mid Cities Dental offers a comfortable, slim oral appliance that’s worn at night while you sleep—ideal for those who can’t tolerate a CPAP machine. We work closely with medical insurance to make the process easy and accessible for athletes.
If anyone on your team of athletes is interested in improving oxygen efficiency, recovery, and overall athletic performance, we’d love to collaborate. We can provide brochures, more information, or speak with you directly.