Snoring Is Affecting My Relationship
When you snore loudly most nights, it could be causing your partner to lose sleep, too. This can negatively affect your relationship. If your partner has complained that your loud snoring is keeping them awake at night, it may be time to seek professional treatment. While loud snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, there are other signs you need to watch out for as well, such as sore throats in the morning, dry mouth, fatigue, and more. By treating your sleep disorder, you can feel more refreshed in the mornings and protect your relationship as well. To learn more about the symptoms you are experiencing, schedule a consultation with our team.
Snoring And Your Health
Obstructive sleep apnea causes you to periodically stop breathing throughout the night when your airways become blocked. One of the most common indicators of this condition is loud snoring. When you experience loud snoring, it can take a toll on your health as well as your relationships. The pauses in your breathing can reduce oxygen flow, increase inflammation, and put you at risk of physical health complications that can affect your day-to-day life. Many patients with this sleep disorder face complications including increased blood pressure, weight gain, heart disease, and more.
Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when your airways become blocked as you sleep. The blockage may happen if your tongue or soft tissues at the back of your throat obstruct the airway. You may be at an increased risk of sleep apnea if you are obese, male (although women can have sleep apnea as well), have a large neck circumference, or have a small jaw.
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but not all patients with the disorder snore. Your symptoms may also present as headaches or sore throats in the morning, dry mouth from breathing through your mouth at night, daytime drowsiness, and more. Your partner may have noticed that you snore loudly or have breathing pauses at night, which may indicate a disorder.
Don’t Let Sleep Apnea Affect Your Relationships
Untreated sleep apnea can strain your relationship, but our team is here to help. After a consultation and evaluation, we may be able to diagnose the disorder and create a helpful treatment plan. Often, oral appliance therapy is highly effective for the disorder. You wear the device like a mouthguard to keep your airways open at night. Your tongue and jaw will be held in place so they do not obstruct your airways, and you can breathe better at night. Contact Dr. McLauchlin’s team today to learn more about your treatment options.