If you struggle with sleep apnea, then ultimately, yes, your condition affects you the most. However, without treatment, your symptoms can get out of control and start to have an impact on the people around you – including your partner. What may just seem like a bad day at first could actually be a string of cause-and-effects. Here are four examples that might surprise you!
#1. Loud, Disruptive Snoring
Not everyone with sleep apnea snores, and not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. That said, having an airway blockage that restricts your breathing does make you more likely to “saw wood” while you sleep. If you’re a loud snorer, there’s a good chance you’re waking your partner up periodically throughout the night and disturbing their sleep cycle.
#2. Daytime Drowsiness
Lack of quality sleep naturally makes you feel more tired in the morning. After all, your body quite literally didn’t get enough rest to properly energize itself. When drowsy brain fog clouds your mind, you’ll likely find it more difficult to pay attention to your partner or spend quality time with them. The more often this happens, the more distant couples can become.
#3. Irritability
Re-energizing cells is just one of the important things your body does while you sleep. Another is hormone regulation. Hormones like serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, and so many more play a crucial role in balancing your moods. Restless nights tend to increase the production of stress-related hormones and decrease production of “feel-good” hormones, which can make you unnaturally irritable.
This sleep apnea symptom shouldn’t be underestimated. Nobody likes being around a grouch, and the last thing you want is to take out your crankiness on your partner.
#4. Low Libido
Constant tiredness is already going to make it difficult to want sex. On top of that, the hormone dysregulation and decreased oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea can chemically lower your libido. Now, not every couple puts the same value on physical intimacy. But if trouble in the bedroom has put a strain on your relationship with your partner, it’s time to consider sleep apnea treatment.
Lack of quality rest doesn’t only affect you. As you lose more and more sleep, your symptoms can become more pronounced and harder to manage, to the point where it’s really challenging to maintain a healthy connection with those closest to you.
Fortunately, sleep apnea treatment is rather simple. Once you have an official diagnosis, a qualified sleep dentist can provide you with an oral appliance or CPAP that will free up your obstructed airway. After a few nights of breathing easy and sleeping soundly, you’ll feel much more like yourself!
About the Author
Dr. Mitch Conditt has sleep apnea himself, and knows first-hand how serious its associated symptoms can become. If your relationships are suffering because you’ve had one too many restless nights, call Dr. Conditt’s office at 817-527-8500. He and his team will help you build an effective sleep apnea treatment plan so you can get the quality rest you need!