How to Avoid a “Sleep Divorce” in Your Relationship

Louisville, KY

No one wants a sleeping partner who snores. Getting adequate sleep is important for everyone, but in a situation in which one partner stores, no one is receiving the sleep they need. People who snore or gasp for air at night are losing time in the restorative stages of sleep because of constant sleep disruptions. The partner who doesn’t snore is losing sleep, too, for the same reasons.

Sometimes in these cases, couples choose to “sleep divorce,” going to sleep at different times of the night or sleeping in entirely different rooms. Over time, this can wreak havoc on a marriage. So how can you avoid a sleep divorce altogether? Our Louisville obstructive sleep apnea dentist is answering this question and offering tips today to help you avoid a sleep divorce in your relationship.

The impact of disturbed sleep

The first step in avoiding a sleep divorce is pinpointing the cause of the sleep disruptions. Snoring is often an indication of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleep apnea is a disorder that affects 25 million American adults. It is characterized by breathing interruptions while sleeping. OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea, and obesity is its most common cause. During sleep, the soft tissue of the mouth, throat and tongue muscles are relaxed and can cause the airway to become blocked.

Pauses in breathing usually last 10-20 seconds. They can occur several times each night and up to 100 times in severe cases. Most people don’t recall being startled awake each time they stop breathing during the night, but the frequent sleep-cycle disruptions result in light, restless sleep that impairs concentration and productivity during the day. Sleep apnea has numerous negative effects on a person’s health, leading to increased health risks for hypertension, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Sleep apnea can even prove to be fatal when disruptions in the sleep cycle lead to a decrease in mental performance when on the job or behind the wheel of a car.

Seek treatment for sleep disruptions

Being open-minded and showing your sleep partner that you’re willing to seek treatment for your condition will speak volumes. Once you’re committed, reach out to our Jeffersonville dentist’s office to schedule a simple airway exam. Our sleep apnea dentist may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea and its severity. Using that data, a customized treatment plan can be created to improve your airway blockage, improve your snoring and help you and your partner get a better night’s sleep.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Our airway dentist near Shepherdsville usually treats mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, which involves a custom-made device that looks like a mouthguard. We prefer this over a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine because CPAP machines are known to be cumbersome, noisy and difficult to clean. CPAP users also often complain that the masks are uncomfortable to wear at night. Many of our patients have stopped snoring by taking advantage of oral appliance therapy.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Louisville, Jeffersonville, and Shepherdsville, KY

Don’t let another night go by when you or your partner are losing sleep because of snoring or other nighttime disruptions. At Exceptional Dentistry, we can help you and your partner enjoy a better night’s sleep — together, in the same room. Give us a call at 888-918-3336, or reach us online to schedule a consultation today.