A new study from the University of Wisconsin at Madison found that men who habitually consume alcohol are twenty-five percent more likely to have a sleep related breathing disorder than those who do not.
The study looked at both men and women, but there was no significant relationship between alcohol consumption and sleep related breathing disorders. This may have been due to the fact that the 645 women in the study tended to generally drink less habitually than the 775 men in the study. Further studies are planned to look at the relationship between alcohol and sleep related breathing disorders in both men and women.
The University of Wisconsin study demonstrated that alcohol exposure consistently started or worsened a sleep related breathing problem. Why? Researchers suggest that the alcohol may have reduced muscle tone in the upper airway or dulled the natural ventilatory response.
The bottom line? If you have a sleep related breathing disorder (like sleep apnea) or are susceptible to a sleep related breathing disorder, you should avoid alcohol near bedtime. Give yourself plenty of time to overcome the effects of alcohol before you head to bed.
Tips for drinking alcohol responsibly:
- Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking. Designate a driver BEFORE you start drinking — someone who will not drink at all. Some bars and restaurants provide free (non-alcoholic) drinks to the designated driver!
- Try to eat while you drink alcohol, rather than drinking on an empty stomach.
- Drink slowly — it’s not a race!
- Drink in moderation.
- Don’t mix alcohol with medications — talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe to drink with your particular prescriptions. Antidepressants, for example, can intensify the effects of alcohol.
- Know your history. If you have a problem with alcohol, it’s best to avoid it entirely.