Running head: OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA 1

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Quality Sleep Hygiene

Bridget K. Parker

NR 283 – Pathophysiology

Chamberlain University

February 2020
Running head: OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA 2

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Quality Sleep Hygiene

Obstructive sleep apnea is often a cause of modifiable circumstances such as weight,

alcohol consumption, and smoking. However, an area that should also be focused on is proper

sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene includes utilizing behaviors that aid in sleep and eliminate

behaviors that interrupt sleep (Jung, et al., 2019). Those with obstructive sleep apnea often have

poor sleeping habits, which help to contribute to their disease.

Proper sleep hygiene includes, but is not limited to, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake,

quitting smoking, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, doing without naps,

proper nutrition, and temperature and humidity of the room. In a study conducted by Jung, et al.

(2019), those who positively changed their sleep hygiene habits exhibited obstructive sleep

apnea symptoms decrease. Additionally, those who did not change their sleep hygiene patterns

(consuming alcohol beverages, smoking, napping during the day) and, in fact, added cell phone

or computer use before bed had an exacerbation of symptoms (Jung, et al., 2019).

Educating clients on proper sleep hygiene can not only reduce symptoms associated with

obstructive sleep apnea, but it can also improve their quality of life, their productiveness, and

their overall well-being. When counseling for sleep posture and sleep hygiene are used in

conjunction with the continuous positive air pressure (C-PAP) machine, clients saw the most

reduction in their symptoms; and they reported better daytime waking hours (Jung, et al., 2019).

Including proper sleep hygiene education as part of the treatment for those suffering from

obstructive sleep apnea could prove to benefit the client, their family, and the workplace

environment by reducing absenteeism in the workplace.

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References

Jung, S. Y., Kim, H.-S., Min, J.-Y., Hwang, K. J., & Kim, S. W. (2019). Sleep hygiene-related

conditions in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Auris Nasus

Larynx, 46(1), 95–100. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2018.06.003