Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic, Sandyford, Dublin, D18 E7P4 l Tel: +353 1 213 5644

How Sleep Apnea & Snoring Affects Relationships

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, and it can disrupt both a person’s sleep and their relationships. Keep reading to learn why relationships suffer due to sleep apnea and how the Beacon Dental Sleep Medicince Clinic can help.

The following symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. However, treatment can successfully reduce and even resolve these problems.

Sleepiness

Many people with OSA are excessively sleepy during the daytime. This can make it difficult to work, and can even lead to job loss. If you have OSA you might fall asleep while driving a car, watching television, reading, talking on the telephone, or even while eating a meal. People with OSA might not complain of sleepiness; they just think that they are “slowing down” and getting more tired as they get older.

Depression and Memory Problems

Depression is very common in people with untreated OSA. Frequently, people are treated for depression for years before anyone realizes that OSA is causing the depression. People with OSA can also have memory problems, difficulty concentrating, amnesia of events, and slower reaction times.

Impact on Family and Friends

OSA can have a major impact on family and friends. Depression makes it hard to maintain relationships, and people with OSA are less likely to engage in social activities, especially physical exercise, because they are too tired. Because of the loud, bothersome snoring associated with OSA, spouses or bed partners might choose to sleep in separate bedrooms.

An absence of restful sleep means being irritable the next day, causing mood swings that can lead to arguments. Before seeking professional treatment, many couples resort to wearing earplugs or as already metioned sleeping separately to avoid hearing their partner snore. None of these benefit the relationship as it actually creates distance and a lack of intimacy.

The effects of sleep apnea don’t end when you wake up. Sleep apnea can impact you during the day as well by affecting your mood and behavior in the following ways:

  • Irritability
  • Mood disorders such as depression
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Chronic daytime sleepiness
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Decreased libido

These changes can make maintaining romantic, platonic, and professional relationships challenging. When lack of sleep makes you unfocused, moody, and fatigued, social interactions may be difficult or strained and your family, friends, and coworkers may be affected as well by your behavior or demeanor. While it can be difficult to pinpoint when moodiness or fatigue stems from poor sleep quality or an underlying issue, treating your sleep apnea means one less culprit in relationship issues.

Seeking Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Excessive snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but it can be treated on its own, too. To be treated for sleep apnea, you must be properly diagnosed by a qualified sleep physician. 

Once you’ve taken appropriate sleep tests and the results have been reviewed by a physician, he or she can determine the best treatment for you.

Many sleep specialists recommend CPAP treatment for patients with sleep apnea. For those who find it uncomfortable, the Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic offers personalised oral appliances as an effective alternative to CPAP. Seeking treatment can be intimidating, but taking action towards relief will be so rewarding.

 

Tips for Couples With Sleep Disorders

In many cases of couples with sleep disorders, the tension that builds from not confronting the issue will cause great friction in the relationship. Speaking up about your partner’s symptoms and working on a solution together can save your relationship. Many couples deal with this issue, so you’re not alone. 

Here are some useful tips for both you and your partner:

Communicate. An honest, open conversation about what you’re experiencing will open the door to finding treatment and bring about understanding.

Take a sleep test. Undergoing a sleep study will solidify the issue and help you reclaim control of your health.

Look after your general health. Many specialists recommend positive lifestyle changes in addition to prescribed treatment for sleep apnea. Your physical health impacts your symptoms and vice versa. Adopting new habits alone or with your partner will strengthen your bond and ensure your good health lasts.

Make changes in the bedroom. Your environment absolutely affects how well you sleep. Making sure your bedroom is comfortable, peaceful, and set up for a good night’s rest can make a huge difference.

Look for short and long-term solutions. Immediate relief can make a huge difference, and seeking long-term solutions will provide peace of mind for years to come.

Understand that both of you are human. Managing a sleep disorder is extremely hard and having to support a partner with a disorder can also be challenging. Be patient, compassionate, and supportive of your partner. Validation is crucial and understanding that sleep apnea impacts both of you can help lead to empathy and understanding.

Although managing sleep apnea may seem like a lot, the Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic offers a convenient and easy solution so that you and your partner can rest easily. 

For further information on Sleep Apnea Treatment, contact us today 

 

 

Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic is based in the Beacon Dental Clinic, Beacon Consultants Clinic, Dublin, D18 E7P4, Ireland

Tel: ++353 1 213 5644 | Fax: +353 1 213 5645 | Email: info@beacondentalsleep.ie

 

 

 

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