Sleep apnea not only has an impact on your overall health, it can also hurt your relationships.
In addition to the physical health problems sleep apnea can cause, it can also have a significant emotional impact, both on the sufferer and the person he or she shares a bed with.
For starters, the poor sleep quality that comes with sleep apnea can be shared with the bed partner. If you snore or wake up frequently during the night, chances are that your partner's sleep is being interrupted as well.
This is, of course, frustrating in the moment for both of you, and may build resentment on both sides. Your partner will of course feel annoyed and frustrated by the constant disruptions, and you may feel the same way about their lack of understanding… after all, you’re not snoring intentionally!
And lack of sleep can carry over to the rest of your life, too. During your waking hours, the lack of sleep you've been experiencing can make you feel lethargic, grumpy, irritable, and even depressed.
This is bound to have something of an impact on your relationships. Certainly with your partner (and especially if he or she is suffering from lack of sleep as well), but also with other members of your family, your friends, and even your co-workers.
Sleep is critical for good physical and emotional health.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is crucial for your health that you get it under control. Although you can't help the fact that you have sleep apnea, you can improve your health and your relationships by seeking out help.
There are a wide variety of options for treating sleep apnea, including weight loss, lifestyle changes, oral sleep appliance or even surgery.