Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Relationship
If you’ve been told by your partner that you excessively snore and frequently gasp for air to the point they can’t sleep, it may be time to consider seeking professional help. You may know sleep apnea can affect your mental and physical health, but it can also affect your relationships with others. Research has shown sleep apnea is the third most common reason for divorce since it may result in partners sleeping in separate rooms and may cause resentment towards each other.
At Desert Hill Dental Care, Farmington sleep dentist Dr. Schumacher helps patients in Bloomfield, Aztec, and Upper Fruitland, NM receive the right diagnosis and get the treatment they need to help alleviate their symptoms. We can help you protect your health and your relationships.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring isn’t an irregular action. Many people do it regularly, and while patients diagnosed with sleep apnea report that it’s a symptom, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea occurs when someone stops breathing several times throughout the night due to an obstructed airway. Blockage of the airway can cause symptoms such as daytime fatigue and gasping noises during sleep.
Your snoring can also cause your sleeping partner to lose a significant amount of rest, which can dampen their well-being.
Loss of sleep leads to several serious health issues, including:
- Greater risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart disease
- Weight gain
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Reduced memory and intellectual function
- Higher incidents of workplace and automobile accidents
- Depression and anxiety
- Reduced sex drive
Frequent Snoring Fixes
Partners of patients who snore often try anything to get a good night’s rest. Some people will try to fall asleep before the snorer, but that doesn’t prevent them from being woken up throughout the night.
Others may try using earplugs or a noise machine that plays a light tune to distract themselves from their partner’s snoring. The problem with these remedies is that they can prevent you from hearing important cues, such as your alarm clock or your child stirring during the night.
Some couples are disrupted by snoring enough that they resort to sleeping separately. About half of the couples that sleep separately reported that snoring was the cause. It’s crucial to seek professional help so you and your partner can get the sleep you need.
Benefits of Seeking Treatment
Seeking professional help can allow you to see improvement in your life, sleep quality, and relationships. Dr. Schumacher provides oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP to help you sleep comfortably and soundly.
When you receive treatment for snoring or sleep apnea, you’ll see positive changes in your life including:
- Heightened mental and physical performance
- Better sleep
- Improved psychological health and happiness
- Reduced risk of depression
- Increased physical intimacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Are snoring and sleep apnea related?
While snoring is one of the most noticeable symptoms of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores suffers from the condition. If you snore, we recommend getting a sleep test to ensure it isn’t a sign of sleep apnea.
Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, Dr. Schumacher can help treat your snoring with a convenient oral appliance. Snoring can affect your relationship with your partner and drive them to seek a different place to sleep, so it’s crucial to relieve your symptoms.
Can snoring be stopped?
Yes! Many patients can stop their snoring with the help of treatment. We offer convenient oral appliances that move your jaw forward while you sleep to keep your airway open. There are also certain lifestyle changes Dr. Schumacher may recommend to help stop your snoring.
Some of these changes include:
- Losing weight
- Stopping the use of sedatives before bed
- Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol
We recommend making these changes with the guidance of a professional and in combination with other treatments.
How can I tell if my partner has sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a very serious condition that can have detrimental physical and mental effects if left untreated. Your partner may have sleep apnea if you notice any of the following signs:
- Snoring loudly throughout the night
- Making gasping or choking sounds
- Breathing stops during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Decreased libido
- Waking up frequently to urinate
If you notice any of the above signs, voice your concerns to your partner. Fortunately, at Desert Hill Dental Care, our Farmington dentist, Dr. Schumacher, offers comfortable solutions for snoring and sleep apnea.
How can treating sleep apnea improve my relationship?
Seeking sleep apnea treatment can reduce or resolve symptoms such as loud snoring that interfere with your relationship. It can also improve your disposition if irritability and moodiness are contributing to disagreements. Treating the underlying cause can provide you and your partner with the rest you deserve.
Find Relief at Desert Hill Dental Care
For patients looking for a sleep dentist near Farmington, Dr. Schumacher provides effective solutions. At Desert Hill Dental Care, Dr. Schumacher specializes in snoring and sleep apnea treatment. If your loud snoring is affecting your loved ones, we can help. We offer CPAP alternatives, such as convenient oral appliances to help you sleep comfortably and soundly.
Call (505) 427-2936 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Schumacher! You can also fill out our convenient online contact form below and one of our staff will get back to you.