The negative effects of snoring have been found to be a major influencer on a relationship. In fact, it’s the third most common cause of divorce in America. The nuisance can interrupt a loved one’s sleep and can even be a sign of a bigger complication– sleep apnea.
Many relationships are at higher risk for separation when one partner is a habitual snorer or suffers from sleep apnea. To save your love from the consequences of the sleep disorder or disruptive annoyance, seeking a proper diagnosis from a sleep physician can help you and your partner sleep soundly through the night.
Is Your Relationship Interrupted By Snoring?
The major downfall of snoring is that it doesn’t typically bother the one making the loud noise, but it impedes on the ability to get a good night’s rest for someone else. The strain of both snoring and sleep apnea can impact a relationship as it can build resentment towards your partner and may even lead to sleeping in separate rooms.
By not receiving a substantial amount of sleep, both partners’ daytime energy is affected and quality of life is diminished. These problems can be easily blamed on each other and will lead to a rift in your relationship.
Protecting your relationship and finding relief for your snoring or sleep apnea can help improve both of your sleep, moods, and health.
What Can Snoring Do to Your Sex Life?
Sleeping with someone who snores uncontrollably can be a major disturbance to your intimate connection with your partner. They might be turned off by the sound or just completely annoyed, losing their desire to be affectionate.
Studies have found that women suffering from sleep apnea are more likely to lose their sexual desire and have sexual dysfunction. Another found that up to 70% of men who have sleep apnea also lose their sex drive due to a drop in testosterone levels and even suffer from erectile dysfunction.
The loss of intimacy in a relationship can be quite damaging. It often plays a vital role in the bond between two people so without it, couples will begin to drift apart and lose interest in each other.
Improve Your Lives with a Sleep Study
If you think you or your loved one are suffering from a sleep disorder, talk to Dr. Buchanan about your symptoms. She can supply an at-home test and help you find a local sleep physician that can officially diagnose your possible condition.
No relationship should have to suffer from the consequences of snoring and sleep apnea. Once you’ve been identified with your sleep disorder, a small, easy-to-use oral appliance can be prescribed to you or your partner to relieve symptoms and help you achieve quality sleep.
After just one week of using this method of treatment, both you and your partner will be able to attain eight hours of tranquil, enjoyable sleep.
Tips to Help Couples Sleep Better
- Communicate. Talk to each other. If one of you feels tension in your relationship or a lack of intimacy, an honest conversation about the issues can easily resolve them.
- Receive a sleep study. If you or your loved one suspect you have sleep apnea, finding a professional who can diagnose it can resolve many of your nighttime problems.
- Listen to your doctor. Once you’ve been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, listen to your doctor and what they recommend for treatment.
- Take care of your health. Being overweight, smoking tobacco, and drinking alcohol are all factors that increase your risk for sleep apnea. Losing weight, eating healthy, and removing negative substances from your body won’t only improve your sleep, but your health as well.
- Make changes in the bedroom. Altering the light in the bedroom or adding white noise to help you fall asleep can both help enhance your bedroom environment and improve your sleep.
- Look for short- and long-term solutions. Treating sleep apnea can help improve your quality of life in the long run, and discovering immediate solutions can relieve any strain on your relationship right away.
- Falling asleep can be fun. When falling asleep, talk to your partner– tell jokes, remind one another of the things you love about each other, or discuss your dreams from the previous night. You can also cuddle with each other to enhance your affection.
- Be patient and support your partner. Living with sleep apnea isn’t fun for you or your loved one. Be patient through the journey of finding treatment and support one another.