4 Ways Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Relationship

Sleep apnea is a relatively common condition that causes sufferers to stop breathing multiple times throughout the night due to an obstruction of the airway. People with sleep apnea in Weatherford will also often snore due to the blockage – and it won’t come as a surprise that snoring and poor sleep quality can affect more than just the way you feel the next day. In fact, sleep apnea sufferers also often report that their relationships have been damaged as well. Keep reading to learn 4 reasons why. 

#1: You’re Disrupting Your Partner’s Sleep

People who snore as a result of sleep apnea don’t just do so lightly. This condition is associated with loud, chronic snoring – the type that could wake someone up one room over. That means that if you’re sawing loud logs every night, night after night, your partner probably isn’t dozing much. Or, maybe they have moved to a room in a different part of the house to get away from the sound. But research shows that there are numerous benefits to sleeping in the same bed with your partner, like decreased stress – and you don’t want to miss out on that. 

#2: You’re Both Grumpy After a Long Night

But let’s say your partner hasn’t moved into the next room to get away from your snores, and that means that they were wide awake for hours on end. And, even though you may not notice waking up multiple times, people with sleep apnea can stop breathing and briefly rouse hundreds of times over the course of the night. That means you’ll both wake up groggy and just not feeling great – and you are likely to bring that negative energy into the relationship, too. Lack of sleep can also make it more difficult to regulate your emotions, meaning you may lash out at your partner over things that normally wouldn’t have caused you to do so.

#3: You Won’t Seek Treatment

Another way sleep apnea can affect a relationship is if the sufferer knows they have a problem but won’t do anything about it. Did you know that your dentist can actually help you get diagnosed and treated? As the expert in all things related to your mouth, they are the one to turn to for snoring and sleep problems. 

#4: You Don’t Have the Right Treatment for Sleep Apnea

And finally, maybe you have sought treatment but didn’t get the right solution. A CPAP, or a mask that you wear over your mouth while you sleep, was for a long time the common solution for snoring and sleep apnea. But this machine is loud and, well, not very attractive. Today’s treatments for sleep apnea are far less intrusive and can help you and your partner both regain the quality rest you need each night – in the same bed! 

If any of these hit home for you, it’s time to talk to your dentist. Don’t wait to reach out. You and your partner deserve relief! 

Meet the Expert

Dr. Deborah A. Romack earned her doctorate from the Baylor College of Dentistry and has furthered her education by attending numerous continuing education courses, including those covering airway obstruction and sleep apnea. Dr. Romack is passionate about helping patients overcome their sleep apnea and enjoy uninterrupted sleep once again. To schedule an appointment at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, visit the website or call (817) 799-8929 today.