300 South State Street, Suite 2, Zeeland, MI 49464

(616) 741-9035

Snoring is Affecting My Relationship

If you’re snoring loudly and excessively, night after night, your spouse might understandably be frustrated with the effects on their sleep. Fortunately, when such snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, effective treatment options are available to improve your well-being and your relationship.
We encourage patients whose spouses or partners have complained about their loud snoring to complete a sleep study – which often can be done in the comfort of your own home – to confirm the diagnosis. You can then schedule a consultation at our office to explore sleep apnea treatment options.
Why Does Sleep Apnea Make Me Snore?

The primary issue in sleep apnea is obstruction of the airway opening. This occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat go slack while the patient is asleep and cover up the airway. When the obstruction is incomplete, the air will create some noise – snoring – as it makes the tissues vibrate.

When the airway is completely obstructed, your brain actually recognizes that there is a problem and wakes you briefly to restore normal breathing. This happens repeatedly during the night and is severely disruptive to a patient’s sleep.

Snoring Affects Relationships | Sleep Apnea Treatment | Zeeland, MI
Wake Up Tired | Sleep Apnea | Chronic Snoring | Zeeland, MI
Does Sleep Apnea Cause Other Symptoms?

Snoring is not the only symptom associated with sleep apnea. These signs may also indicate that sleep apnea is a problem for you:

  • Daytime drowsiness (as a result of sleep disruption)
  • Frequent sore throats or headaches upon waking
  • Mood changes, such as increased irritability
  • Difficulty focusing or paying attention

Patients who experience any of the symptoms listed above should undergo a sleep study and pursue sleep apnea treatment if that condition is diagnosed. There are multiple treatment options available, so you can find one that fits your needs.

What Are My Treatment Options For Sleep Apnea?

While the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask is the gold standard in sleep apnea treatment, it’s also widely recognized that many, many patients do not comply with CPAP therapy because the mask is uncomfortable or inconvenient or triggers anxiety.

Fortunately, patients do have an alternative to CPAP. Oral appliance therapy is far more comfortable and convenient, and compliance rates are much higher. After all, CPAP therapy can’t do its job if you don’t wear the mask.

When thinking about whether to pursue sleep apnea treatment, it’s important to remember that the effects of this condition reach far beyond a cranky romantic partner. Sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your health, increasing the risk of obesity, stroke and high blood pressure.

To improve your health and the quality of your relationship, consider your options for sleep apnea treatment.

CPAP alternative | Sleep Apnea Treatment | Zeeland, MI

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