Sleep Assessment
Has your partner been complaining about your constant snoring lately? The lack of rest due to the noise is likely making them more tired and irritable than usual, and that can lead to serious tension in your relationship if the problem persists. Sleep apnea in Topeka isn’t just devastating for your own health; it can also hurt the people you love. It’s important to fully understand the impact that sleep-disordered breathing can have on your relationships – and why you need to have it treated as soon as you can!
How Can Snoring and Sleep Apnea Affect My Relationship?
Snoring is one of the most common side effects of sleep apnea. This is because the disorder is caused by soft tissues collapsing and blocking your airway. This stops your body from getting the required amount of oxygen, to the point where breathing sometimes stops altogether. Any air that does pass by the tissues causes them to vibrate, which causes the noise of snoring.
People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly every night, making it difficult for anyone nearby to get rest themselves. Naturally, that includes a partner sleeping in the same bed. It’s not uncommon for some people to begin sleeping on the couch or in a guest room if their partner is a chronic snorer.
There’s also the mental strain that sleep apnea could end up putting on you and your loved ones. The disorder will prevent you from getting any quality sleep, and the snoring will keep your partner up during much of the night. As a result, you are both more likely to be exhausted and irritable throughout the day, and that make for a very unpleasant atmosphere at home.
Finally, sleep apnea can also make it more difficult for you to be intimate with your partner. Erectile dysfunction tends to occur in men with sleep disorders, which can naturally complicate any attempt to be physically intimate until the problem is solved.
What Can Be Done About Sleep Apnea and Snoring?
A sleep dentist in Topeka can go over your options for treating sleep apnea. CPAP machines have long set the standard in sleep treatment, but many patients (and their partners) find themselves unable to relax due to the constant noise. Oral sleep appliances are a far more discreet – and comfortable – option. The simple device will hold your mouth in a position that keeps the airway open so that you can breathe normally throughout the night, giving you a chance to sleep uninterrupted and letting your partner enjoy some peace and quiet before drifting off themselves.
Your relationship – and your body – will only suffer more and more the longer you let sleep apnea go unaddressed. Call your sleep dentist as soon as possible once you’ve been told that you frequently snore; they’ll walk you through the process of having a sleep disorder properly diagnosed and treated.
About the Author
Dr. Michael E. Michel has been treating sleep apnea for decades and has helped many patients improve the quality of their rest while also mending their relationships. His advanced training allows him to provide lasting relief for sleep disorders through oral appliances. To schedule an appointment at his practice, Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental, visit his website or call (785) 273-0802.