Alcohol

[RomanDelta]

Hi All,

I am a nightcap person. Of course we all know this makes sleep apnea worse. I never have more than 2 beers a night, and I evaluate what two beers are based on ABV, since 1 beer unit is defined as 12oz of 5% alcohol. So if I have a Dogfish at 10% ABV, I have 1 and done. If I have a Miller 64 at 3% ABV, maybe I'll have 3. On most nights I'll have a DFH 60 Minute IPA at 6% ABV and then a Yuengling at 4.4% ABV.

Anyway, this is my Zen, and something I'd really rather not give up, so I am wondering if anyone knows how many hours I need to abstain from drinking before bed so as to not worsen the sleep apnea, assuming I never have more than 2 US units a night? I know the old "1 hour to metabolize 1 unit of alcohol" but I also know that's not always the case for everything, as if that logic were correct, then theoretically if I drank 2 at 9pm, by 11pm my apnea would no longer be affected by the alcohol.

[Dog Slobber]

Get SleepyHead
For a week, have two drinks close to bed time, average your AHI.
Do the same, but an hour before bedtime.
Do the same, but two hours before bedtime.

For science man, for science.

[jnk...]

Alcohol's negative effects on sleep are multifactorial and not just in relation to sleep breathing. For example:

. . . the closer your drinking is to bedtime, the more it will negatively impact your sleep. Even moderate amounts of alcohol in your system at bedtime alters sleep architecture—the natural flow of sleep through different stages. It also leads to lighter, more restless sleep as the night wears on, diminished sleep quality, and next-day fatigue.--https://thesleepdoctor.com/2017/11/15/t ... hol-sleep/

This is true even for those with no OSA.

[zonker]

For science man, for science.

datalaughing.gif

[ChicagoGranny]

Of course we all know this makes sleep apnea worse.

Uhhh, two beers? If you have an APAP with correct pressure settings, your sleep apnea should be no worse.

I would be more concerned about sleep architecture (jnk post), weight gain and insulin response.

[Chris8243]

Very impressed with your calculations and controlled drinking!

[jimbud]

jimbud writes:

Hi All,

I am a nightcap person. Of course we all know this makes sleep apnea worse. I never have more than 2 beers a night, and I evaluate what two beers are based on ABV, since 1 beer unit is defined as 12oz of 5% alcohol. So if I have a Dogfish at 10% ABV, I have 1 and done. If I have a Miller 64 at 3% ABV, maybe I'll have 3. On most nights I'll have a DFH 60 Minute IPA at 6% ABV and then a Yuengling at 4.4% ABV.

Anyway, this is my Zen, and something I'd really rather not give up, so I am wondering if anyone knows how many hours I need to abstain from drinking before bed so as to not worsen the sleep apnea, assuming I never have more than 2 US units a night? I know the old "1 hour to metabolize 1 unit of alcohol" but I also know that's not always the case for everything, as if that logic were correct, then theoretically if I drank 2 at 9pm, by 11pm my apnea would no longer be affected by the alcohol.

When I have a few beer before bedtime my apnea is no worse (I get a few more flags,all SWJ). But, my sleep is negatively affected.
Just more restless and thus more flags. A classic trade off. A few drinks for a little crappy sleep. My choice.

JPB

[jnk...]

I am a nightcap person. Of course we all know this makes sleep apnea worse.. . . This is my Zen, and something I'd really rather not give up, . . . If I drank 2 at 9pm, by 11pm . . .

Not to put too fine a point on it, but some pros may consider the wording chosen to be strong indications of being dependent. You may want to have a serious talk with family, friends, medical pros for evaluation purposes.

[chunkyfrog]

So much detail.
That alone worries me.