Can Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Marriage?
The divorce rate in the country is often pretty disheartening for couples. According to research from the American Psychological Association, around 40% to 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce.
Many couples worry about infidelity or financial stress as a cause of divorce, so snoring may seem like a minor issue in comparison. Though some think of snoring as a harmless quirk, it could tear your relationship apart and lead to feelings of resentment.
The Effects of Snoring
Resentment
Snoring often disturbs the sleep of the non-snoring partner, causing their sleep quality to decrease. Poor sleep can have negative effects on your health, happiness, and work life.
Eventually, you may find yourself resenting your partner over the quality of sleep you’re lacking. If you’re snoring, your partner may resent you for the disturbance.
Lack of Bonding
One solution many couples resort to is sleeping in separate rooms. This may allow for more sleep, but damages intimacy in a relationship. Without time to catch up with each other, feelings of distance could start to plague your marriage.
A lack of sleep also leads to a reduced sex drive, further impacting intimacy and pushing you and your spouse apart.
Communication Issues
Poor sleep quality in both partners can cause general grumpiness and impaired communication. Situations that may normally be resolved through patient conversation might become arguments.
Is it Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is a common symptom of a serious medical condition called sleep apnea. This disorder causes the airway to become blocked and pauses breathing throughout the night. Sleep apnea can also be the cause of serious health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
If you or your partner notice any of the common symptoms of sleep apnea, seeking treatment is vital. Talk to your physician about conducting a sleep study for a diagnosis.
Relief for Heavy Snoring
Don’t let sleep apnea harm your health and marriage. Dentists like Dr. Roberta Garceau work to provide solutions to sleep apnea so you can focus on what’s important to you. If it turns out your snoring isn’t related to sleep apnea, we still provide a variety of treatments for snoring.
If you’re concerned about the effects of snoring and sleep apnea, call our office at 860-254-6189 or fill out the online contact form below.