Sleep Apnea and its Impact: How to Protect Your Relationship

Did you know that sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your relationships? If you or your partner snore loudly, experience pauses in breathing during sleep, or are excessively tired during the day, then you may be suffering from sleep apnea. This condition can cause a lot of tension and conflict within a relationship, as one person’s sleep is constantly being disrupted. In this blog post, we will discuss the effects of sleep apnea on relationships and how to protect your relationship from the negative impacts of this condition.

What is sleep apnea and what are the symptoms?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. Each pause can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur up to 30 times or more an hour. Sleep apnea usually is first recognized by someone other than the sufferer because of the nature of the sleep disturbance. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly and the condition is more common in males and people who are overweight.

There are three types of sleep apnea: 

1) Obstructive sleep apnea, which is the more common type and occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. 

2) Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. 

3) Mixed sleep apnea, which is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apneas. 

Symptoms of sleep apnea can include loud snoring, episodes in which you stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep — sometimes hundreds of times throughout the night; severe daytime sleepiness or fatigue; irritability; difficulty concentrating; morning headaches; and depression or anxiety.

How does sleep apnea affect relationships?

Sleep apnea can have a number of negative effects on relationships. One of the most obvious ways is that it can cause sleep deprivation for both partners. When one person is repeatedly waking up throughout the night, it can make it difficult for the other partner to get a good night’s sleep. This can lead to fatigue, irritability, and moodiness, which can put a strain on the relationship. Additionally, sleep apnea can cause snoring, which can be extremely disruptive and frustrating for a bed partner. Snoring not only disrupts sleep but also often causes feelings of resentment and helplessness in the partner who is trying to sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can also lead to more serious health problems such as heart disease,  stroke, and high blood pressure, which can further complicate a relationship.

How can you protect your relationship from the negative effects of sleep apnea?

If you or your partner think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor or sleep professional for a diagnosis. Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, there are treatments that can help manage the condition and reduce its impact on your relationship. Some common treatments for sleep apnea include: 

– Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea and involves wearing a mask over your nose and mouth during sleep. The mask is connected to a machine that gently blows air into your airway to keep it open.  

– Oral appliances: These are devices that you wear in your mouth during sleep to keep your airway open. 

– Surgery: In some cases, sleep apnea can be treated with surgery to remove excess tissue from the airway or to enlarge the airway.

Making sure that sleep apnea is properly treated can help reduce the negative impact it has on relationships and improve the overall quality of life for both partners. If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to seek help from a doctor or book in to see us for a sleep study and diagnosis. With proper treatment, you can protect your relationship and improve your health.