Untreated obstructive sleep apnea affects your health and quality of life, but you’re not the only one affected by the sleep disorder. It can also influence your partner’s sleep quality. Life is stressful enough without sleep apnea coming between you and your loved one. Here’s what you can do to prevent sleep apnea from straining your relationship.
Is Sleep Apnea Hurting Your Relationship?
The most common type of sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway, called obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). As you drift off to sleep, the muscles in the back of your mouth and throat relax and block the airway. Initially, snoring may seem like the only concern, which is common among sleep apnea sufferers. The narrowed air passages cause vibration sounds when inhaling and exhaling. While you might sleep through it, loud snoring can keep your partner awake.
Not only can snoring cause your loved one to toss and turn at night, but so can stress and worry about your health. OSA causes pauses in your breathing if your airways become too narrow. You can stop breathing several times throughout the night, with each event lasting for about 10 seconds. Anxiety about your well-being can make it almost impossible for anyone in your home to fall asleep.
As your partner loses sleep, they can experience changes to their own mental health. Eventually, sleep deprivation can occur, which can lead to depression, mood changes, memory loss, decreased cognitive abilities, and an increased risk of workplace and auto accidents.
The added stress and irritability from lack of quality sleep can also cause interpersonal and sexual tensions. It’s not uncommon for men with untreated sleep apnea to experience erectile dysfunction, which can make physical intimacy difficult.
Save Your Relationship with an Oral Appliance
Although a CPAP is the most traditional treatment for sleep apnea, the machine can be bothersome for you or your partner. As an alternative, you might be a candidate for an oral appliance. The custom-fit device shifts your lower jaw forward to keep your airway open to prevent pauses in breathing. It also treats chronic snoring, so you and your partner can sleep soundly.
With an oral appliance, you won’t have to worry about the noise or restrictions of a CPAP. You can experience over a 90% improvement in your sleep apnea symptoms to safeguard your health and ensure your loved one gets the rest they need. It’s a comfortable, discreet solution, so everyone can breathe a little easier knowing that you’re OK, and they can sleep soundly
About Dr. Dean Hutto
Dr. Hutto pursued advanced training in sleep apnea therapy after earning his dental degree at the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. He has attended various prestigious programs to become a recognized sleep specialist. As a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, he has the qualifications you can trust for oral appliance therapy. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation for sleep apnea therapy.