You may be aware that sleep apnea can affect your physical health and wellbeing, but it can damage your relationships as well.
Sleep Apnea can have a significant emotional impact, both on the person suffering from it and on the person he or she shares a bed with.
Th is is in part because the poor sleep quality that comes with sleep apnea may be shared with the other person in the bed. If you are snoring or waking up often during the night, chances are your partner is waking up sometimes as well.
This is frustrating in the moment for both of you, and can even build resentment on both sides. Your partner will of course feel annoyed and frustrated by the sleep disruptions, and you yourself may feel the same way about the lack of understanding… after all, you’re not doing it on purpose!
In addition, lack of sleep carries over into your day time hours. The lack of sleep you've been experiencing can make you feel lethargic, grumpy, irritable, and even depressed during the day.
It's hard not to let this have a negative impact on your relationships, not just with your partner (and especially if he or she is suffering from lack of sleep as well), but also your other family members, friends and even your colleagues at work.
Sleep is critical for good physical and emotional health.
If you think (or know) that you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is crucial for both your physical and mental health that you find a way to manage it. Although you can't help the fact that you have sleep apnea, there are things you can do can improve your health and your relationships by seeking out help.
There is a variety options for treating sleep apnea, from weight loss and lifestyle changes to oral sleep appliance or even surgery.