Chicago, IL, Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wives have long lamented the snoring habits of their husbands, escaping to the couch for peace and quiet. But therein lies the reality of adult sleep apnea and wide-awake, stuffy nose nights: they disrupt far more than the individual. Partners and entire relationships can suffer the fallout of poor sleep habits. Another major contributor to our sleep-deprived nation is allergic rhinitis (hay fever), affecting 40-50 million adults.
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Environmental allergies, adult sleep apnea, and chronic snoring take a toll on marriages and relationships by robbing otherwise productive, happy adults of emotional and physical wellbeing. Chicago's Brian Rotskoff, MD, is a sleep apnea and allergy immunotherapy expert helping adults reclaim their quality of life and, in turn, save a few relationships.
"There's a general misery that surrounds allergies and sleep apnea. When you feel miserable, you act miserable and the last thing you want to do is be intimate," sympathizes Dr. Rotskoff. "Symptoms that continue for months at a time allow distance and mild depression to creep into a relationship."
Allergies and sexual intimacy
Allergy symptoms sap you of desire. Who wants to be romantic when your head feels like a hot air balloon and you can't stop sneezing?
According to a study published in Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, 83% of adults say allergies have affected their sex lives at some point. Participants cite negative impacts on sleep, fatigue, and sexual activity, all as the result of allergy symptoms. Based on the prevalence of allergies in the U.S. that means more than 33 million adults have likely lost that loving feeling due thanks to stuffy noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, and exhaustion.
Patients who opt for over-the-counter allergy medications may exacerbate the problem by increasing drowsiness and fogginess. There's even some speculation that the loss of smell caused by allergy symptoms may interfere with the transfer of pheromones between men and women.
More sleep, more peace
Sleep apnea is another key relationship challenger. Several University of California, Berkeley sleep studies link poor sleep habits, sleep apnea, and insomnia to relationship stress. Their studies show direct links between lack of sleep and increased conflict with a partner. In contrast, well-rested partners seem to argue less and express feelings of gratitude and appreciation more often.
"Out of control allergies and sleep apnea impact everyone," says Brian Rotskoff, MD of Chicago's Clarity Allergy Center. "If you're not directly affected, it's likely that someone in your household is, and you live through the fallout of those chronic symptoms."
At Clarity Allergy Center in Chicago, Dr. Rotskoff's expertise spans the full range of breathing conditions. He works with each patient to get the bottom of their sleepless nights, whether sleep apnea, asthma, or allergies. Allergy immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or allergy drops can provide significant long-term relief.
So before you sign up for marriage counseling, Dr. Rotskoff says, "Maybe you just need some allergy control and a little sleep. Those things are easier to fix than most relationship issues, so it's worth a shot."