Your relationships with the people you love are likely some of the most important and valuable parts of your life. But what happens when your untreated sleep apnea starts to negatively affect them? Here are a few ways your disorder could have a detrimental effect on your bond with your partner, and what you can do to fix it!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder which causes you to stop breathing for ten seconds or more repeatedly during sleep. Known as apneas, these incidents can occur hundreds of times throughout the night.
There are two types of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea (CSA) when your brain is unable to signal your body to inhale and exhale, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when your airway becomes narrowed or blocked while lying down. Some patients may even experience a combination of both.
The Negative Effects of Sleep Apnea
In addition to preventing you from breathing properly during sleep, sleep apnea has a variety of dangerous side effects that could harm your health, including:
- An increased risk of hypertension, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Cognitive impairment.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Low blood oxygen levels.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Exhaustion and daytime drowsiness or lethargy.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Relationships
While each patient is different and not everyone will experience all of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, even just one can cause a variety of problems in your interpersonal relationships. For example, if you’re always tired and cranky, it can cause you to be short or grouchy with those around you. Snoring or gasping for air while you sleep can also negatively affect your partner, who may be kept awake by the noise or due to worries about your breathing. Finally, sleep apnea has been found to reduce a person’s sex drive as well as their sexual satisfaction, all of which can impact both the patient and their partner.
How to Improve Sleep and Eliminate Side Effects
The good news about sleep apnea side effects is that with treatment, they can be reduced or completely eliminated. While many patients are quick to give up on traditional methods like CPAP machines because they’re awkward and uncomfortable, your dentist has solutions that can help. Oral appliance therapy is a quieter, more comfortable alternative to CPAP which because it is more likely to be used regularly is often considered more effective. Oral appliances position the airway open manually and are custom fit to your individual mouth. They are safe, effective, easier to clean, require no electricity, and can help you get the sleep you need to give your interpersonal relationships your all around the clock.
Remember, sleep apnea can harm your rest, health, and relationships, but with oral appliance therapy, you can finally get the sleep you deserve. To learn more about this treatment, schedule a consultation with your dentist today.
About Dr. Nelson
Dr. Jay Nelson is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, The American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, and the American Board of Sleep & Breathing and currently serves as dental director of the first facility fully accredited by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine in the state of Florida. To schedule an appointment for sleep apnea treatment at Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine, visit our website or call 813-733-4169.