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Is Sleep Apnea Hurting your Relationship?
wp:paragraph Having sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your health and daytime function. Did you know that sleep apnea can have a big impact on your romantic relationships? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Don’t let sleep apnea tear your relationship apart! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is actually quite common for couples to experience tension in the relationship because of sleeping issues, and untreated sleep apnea has been known to lead to many problems in the relationship. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Snoring is a very common symptom of sleep apnea that may be interfering with your partner’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. You may also find that you wake up many times throughout the night as a result of sleep apnea episodes, which could also disturb your partner’s sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Although it may seem discouraging, there are ways to fix this. A bad night’s sleep for either of you could lead to poor concentration and sleepiness during the daytime and could lead to fighting, resentment, hostility, and a lower desire for intimacy. While treating your sleep apnea is essential, it is important to take your partner’s needs into account as well, they deserve a good night’s sleep too! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph A few tips for sleep apnea patients to improve their relationship; /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph First of all, communication is key in any relationship. Lashing out at each other when you are both overtired will not help to improve your relationship in any way. If you think you have sleep apnea, or if you think your partner may be experiencing symptoms, it is important to have a conversation about these issues and seek help from your doctor if needed. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you or your partner need to sleep in another room temporarily to sleep better, there is no shame in that. That way both of you can wake up feeling well-rested. If you do sleep in the same room together, don’t rule out the use of an earplug or a white noise machine. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Finally, be sure to stick to your CPAP treatment! While the CPAP mask may have you feeling less attractive to your spouse, remember that this is essential for getting a good night’s sleep, and in turn, your partner will sleep better as well and your relationship will improve if you are both well-rested. Visit https://www.papsmart.com/ to find the CPAP machine and mask that is right for your needs. /wp:paragraph
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Can Exercise Improve your Sleep Apnea?
wp:paragraph Did you know that exercise has numerous benefits for your overall sleep cycle? This is especially true if you suffer from sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Not only can proper exercise help you to fall asleep faster, but it can improve your quality of sleep overall. If you suffer from sleep apnea, many studies have made numerous connections between weight loss (which includes diet and exercise) and an improvement in sleep apnea symptoms. Most severe cases of sleep apnea will still require further medical treatment such as a CPAP machine and exercise is not a cure for sleep apnea, however, a healthy change in lifestyle can certainly lessen the severity of your symptoms. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you find you are sitting more and more these days and want to pick up some healthy exercise habits, here are a few tips to get started: /wp:paragraph wp:list Start small and low impact: all you need to do is get moving! Start with a short walk or maybe do a short exercise routine online, then you can build up the momentum afterwards to do something that challenges you a little more. Stick to something you enjoy: it’s easy to fall off track if you are doing an exercise routine you are not enjoying. Maybe the treadmill is not your thing but if you enjoy another sport or activity that gets you moving then stick to that. Ask for support: having support from a friend, family member or partner can be extremely beneficial in your journey and can motivate you to stick with it. Avoid high intensity activity within 1-2 hours to bedtime: all those endorphins that get released during exercise are great, but not at the end of the day when you are trying to slow down and get into a sleeping routine. Don’t skip out on healthy eating: diet, sleep and exercise are all important parts to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stick to your CPAP treatment: while exercise can improve your sleep apnea symptoms, it is not a cure, and not using your CPAP machine can only make your symptoms worse. /wp:list
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