Does Melatonin Help with Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where a person’s breathing is interrupted while they sleep. Consequently, people with this condition often don’t get enough sleep and suffer from daytime fatigue, headaches, and even poor moods.
Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available to help those suffering from this condition. One potential remedy is melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the body that helps regulate sleep. But does it help when it comes to treating sleep apnea?
The Science
There have been studies conducted that suggest that melatonin supplements may help with symptoms of sleep apnea.
One study conducted in 2002 suggested that people who took melatonin consistently saw an improvement in the number of apnea episodes during sleep compared with those who didn’t take the supplement.
However, further research is needed to verify the effectiveness of melatonin for sleep apnea patients.
Potential Benefits
Melatonin has a number of potential benefits for treating sleep apnea, including:
- Regulating Sleep: Melatonin is a hormone that helps the body regulate sleep, so taking a supplement might help your body find its natural sleep schedule.
- Reducing AHI: The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is a measure of how severe a person’s sleep apnea is. Melatonin supplements have been shown to lower this number, thus reducing the severity of the sleep apnea.
- Reducing Sleep Fragmentation: Sleep fragmentation is when a person’s sleep is constantly disrupted due to difficulty breathing. Melatonin can help reduce this problem by improving the quality of sleep.
Potential Risks
Although melatonin appears to have potential benefits for people with sleep apnea, there are potential risks. Taking too much melatonin can lead to side effects such as:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness during the day
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any sort of supplement for sleep apnea, as they can advise on what will work best for your individual case.
Conclusion
Melatonin appears to have potential benefits for people with sleep apnea, however more research needs to be conducted to verify its effectiveness. If you are considering taking melatonin to help with sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to your doctor first to evaluate your individual risks and benefits.