Sleep is essential for healing and maintaining one’s overall health, but for patients living with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), quality sleep can sometimes feel tough to achieve. What’s worse is that research also shows that sleep apnea—a condition that causes patients to wake up frequently at night—is often more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This connection is important to understand, since untreated sleep apnea can worsen the symptoms of RA and reduce one’s quality of life greatly. Here’s a closer look at this link and why sleep apnea treatment is always worthwhile.

We all know that a good night’s sleep makes us feel refreshed and energized for the day ahead, but what many people don’t realize is that sleep happens in different stages—and each stage plays a vital role in keeping your mind and body healthy. When conditions like sleep apnea interfere with these stages, the quality of your rest can suffer. Here’s a closer look at the different stages of sleep and why each one is so important, along with why sleep apnea is worth treating if your sleep is being impacted.