Alcohol and Its Effect on Sleep

After a long day of work, many of us enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail to unwind and relax before bedtime. Once you’ve had a drink or two, it may be easier to doze off, but it turns out that alcohol can negatively impact the overall quality of your sleep.

Frequent Bathroom Trips

One reason that alcohol can disrupt your sleep is because it is a diuretic, which means it causes you to use the bathroom more frequently. Having to get up in the middle of the night interrupts your body’s natural sleep cycles, and it can often be difficult to drift off again once you return to bed.

Disrupted Sleep Patterns

When you first fall asleep after drinking, you may experience a deep, dreamless sleep. But as your body metabolizes the alcohol, your brain begins firing on all cylinders. You may toss and turn fitfully, have especially vivid dreams, or wake up often.

Sleep Apnea

Alcohol can also exacerbate cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The muscles in your throat may relax more than usual due to the effects of alcohol, blocking your airways and making it harder to breathe. This can lead to sleep apnea-related issues, including loud snoring, choking, and poor sleep quality.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Raleigh, NC

As you can see, having even one or two drinks before bedtime can lead to a poor night of sleep. To minimize these negative effects, stop drinking alcohol a few hours before you plan to hit the hay. Skip the nightcap and stick to happy hour.

If you’d like additional tips on how to improve the quality of your sleep, call RespAir Sleep today. We specialize in sleep apnea relief and offer snoring treatments to help you get a good night’s rest. Schedule a consultation with our team today!

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Categorised in: Sleep FAQ