How Sleep Apnea Can Hurt A Relationship.

Can Snoring Kill? – glared the headline of a recent science article.

Followed by a cheeky lead-in sentence which mocked the partner of the afflicted — hinting that he or she could be the assassin of the buzz-saw beside them.

Referred to as Obstructive sleep apnea, (or OSA) the condition is often defined as:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. In central sleep apnea, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. Mixed apnea, as the name implies, is a combination of the two. With each apnea event, the brain briefly arouses people with sleep apnea in order for them to resume breathing, but consequently sleep is extremely fragmented and of poor quality.
• Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.

I know, this is very serious…BUT…

With most of the discussion and concoctions out there intended to aid the patient, when is someone going to address the needs of the sleep-deprived partner?!

To all entrepreneurs out there, this is your opportunity to create a product and/or service for the REP (Really Exhausted Partner).

Whether it’s a magic device that comes down from the ceiling and clobbers the offender or an electronic chip that is inserted under the skin to awaken the poor guy…or some kind of trigger in the mattress itself that will shove him…something is needed before something unseemly happens. .

Perhaps even a support group should be started PACS (partners against chronic snoring).

I need help, I’m exhausted…zzzzzz.