How Sleep Apnea Affects a Partner's Health

One of the major complaints and a cause of relationship difficulties is the defensiveness or denial men often exhibit when suggested they have a sleeping problem. Men's refusal to do anything about their sleeping problem tests women’s patience.  Most men won’t go to the doctor with this complaint, and women need to convince men that a sleep disorder is not going to take away their “manliness.”

“The snorting, sorting, periods of not breathing, gasping, and body jumping is almost too much to take,” stated a recent patient during a counseling session. “I fall asleep just to wake up to his loud snorts and snores. This makes me angry since I am now disoriented, and unable to go back to sleep. I am tired all the time, and my body hurts. I can’t get through the day without a nap which also keeps me up at night.”

The sleep fragmentation that happens with the snorer’s partner is almost as significant as the actual condition. There is an unofficial diagnosis for those who suffer from second hand sleep disturbances. It is called The Spousal Arousal Syndrome. Giving your sleeplessness a name should go a long way in helping convince your partner to seek medical help.