Sleep Apnea and Your Relationship

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Has your relationship suffered due to one person snoring and the other having to find solace in a separate bedroom? Chances are when a bed partner lacks proper sleep throughout the night due to loud snoring and gasping sounds, your sleeping partner suffers as well. It’s time to seek help whenever this occurs so you stand the best chance at recovering from the disorder and minimizing tension in your relationship.

The Consequences of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Healthy sleeping patterns and nighttime behavior are vital to maintaining a solid relationship. Once the problems have been identified by the non-snoring partner, a sleep apnea specialist is key to overcoming future health risks of snoring.

They can create a treatment plan that details positive steps for building bedtime comfort with your partner.

 

These are typical symptoms the bed partner identifies, as they are the person being kept awake each night:

 

• Restless sleep
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Decreased interest in sex
• Waking up with dry mouth or a sore throat
• Sleepiness or lack of energy during daytime
• Mood swings and changes

The above consequences of sleep apnea can directly impact your relationship. The three main types of sleep disorders present challenges for the bed partner, which include:

1. 1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - the most common type, which can cause daytime sleepiness, snoring, depression, difficulties with concentration, and loss of memory.

 

2. 2. Central sleep apnea (CSA) - a sleep-related disorder in which the effort to breathe is diminished or absent for 10-30 seconds during sleep.

 

3. 3. Complex sleep apnea - a distinct form of sleep-disordered breathing characterized as CSA. Complex sleep apnea, or mixed sleep apnea as it’s also known, combines symptoms from the other two variations.

The Big Picture

The lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your sex life, relationships, and your social life. Typically, the person having trouble sleeping often develops elaborate routines over time, and will try anything to not disturb the sleep of their bed partner. By this time, they may already be sleeping in separate bedrooms.

Not surprisingly, chronic sleep loss can lead to low energy, fatigue, and a decreased interest in sex. This combination of low energy and increased tension caused by lack of sleep can also lead to sexual dysfunction.

Obesity also rises when solid sleep goes by the wayside, which exacerbates the grumpiness and irritability between partners. The relationship can become quarrelsome and less able to cope with life’s ups and downs. This can impact their interactions as spouses, friends, or partners.

Real Solutions

To prevent couples from turning into estranged bedfellows, there are encouraging sleep therapy treatments that can help put an end to your sleep apnea. When a couple sees how insomnia has become a dividing factor in their relationship, pursuing treatment is the next step.

At West Coast Snore & Sleep Apnea Solutions, Dr. Christopher Henninger has all the tools and guidance to turn your relationship around.

One visit, one consultation, and a willingness from both bed partners will restore not only a decent night’s sleep, but can revive overall health and happiness for each person.

 

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