CPAP Teamwork - How to Remain Supportive to a Partner With Sleep Apnea

By Admin

An unfortunate study published back in 1987 found that sleep apnea patients who were married had lower rates of compliance and overall satisfaction than those who were single. But a lot has changed since the eighties. In a more recent study, published in 2015, quality-of-life improvements associated with PAP therapy, the gold standard treatment for sleep apnea, were reported to have direct effects on the partner as well. In other words, what was good for one was good for both. While treatment in the home remains a challenge for some married couples, increases in public awareness of sleep disorders and other related subjects have helped to educate people on how to support a partner or family member with a sleep apnea diagnosis. With an emphasis on communication and mutual understanding, couples are encouraged to adapt to treatment together as a team, working mutually and cooperatively to address any problems that may arise (either for the patient or the spouse). Treatment compliance can be a major challenge for new patients, but daily, sustained, and lasting encouragement from a life partner can be invaluable in this regard, giving the patient every reason to succeed.

Doing it Together - The Partnership Approach

One thing is certain: untreated sleep apnea is bad for both partners in a relationship, and the majority of studies on the marital impacts of sleep disorders have been consistent in this regard. If left untreated, sleep apnea is likely to have a negative impact on partners' quality of sleep, mood, and overall perception of the relationship. At the same time, these measures show almost immediate improvements with the initiation of any treatment for the disorder, and especially for continuous positive airway pressure therapy, which shows consistent increases in partner-assessed sleep and daytime functioning. Past research in the area of health and marriage has shown that healthy behaviors are often shared between married couples, whether consciously or otherwise, and this gives partners of sleep apnea patients a strategic position of influence. Thus when one spouse improves his or her behavior, the other spouse is likely to do the same. This is true for all manner of behaviors, but the reverse can be true as well. Unhealthy habits can be shared just as easily as healthy ones, so it is recommended that partners lead by example when a lifestyle change is in order. Achieving a healthier lifestyle is an important part of sleep apnea treatment, but this requires commitment from both partners, as even a single habit is difficult to break.

PAP Therapy Teamwork

In addition to improved sleep and daytime functioning, patients and their spouses often report improvements in social and emotional functioning when CPAP is introduced. These measures are highly important because they often lead to reductions in marital conflict. This shows not only that the therapy works, but that relationships are greatly improved by the success of the treatment. With the majority of married couples sleeping in the same bed, there is no surprise that one partner’s snoring and apnea-related disturbances will affect the other’s ability to sleep well, but the extent of the benefits from treatment are quite encouraging. The challenge, then, is to convince new patients and their partners of these benefits at the pivotal moment of initiating treatment. During these initial weeks of therapy, there are often problems that arise, but if addressed properly should not lead to complete abandonment of the treatment, Unfortunately, this does occur for an unacceptably high number of new patients. But a supportive spouse has an opportunity to make a difference. According to a study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, partner support is associated with greater CPAP use at any time during treatment, but especially during the early period after receiving the device. Patients have described spouses who help with everything from filling the water to cleaning the machine, along with emotional support and encouragement, and the results are always positive in regard to adherence and level of commitment. While PAP therapy compliance interventions have often focused primarily on the patient, researchers now recommend, based upon focus group studies, that doctors emphasize a couple-oriented approach whenever applicable.

The How-to of Showing Support

While most of us know that supporting a partner is a good thing, many spouses are not quite sure what is expected of them. Here are some simple descriptions to give readers an idea of what support may look like on a day-to-day basis.

1. Communication The first step to any change in a relationship is talking about it. If communication is not open or effective, all other considerations become problematic. But if you start by discussing your options and remain open to feedback throughout the process, you have a much higher chance of success.

2. Advice from Professionals This is a crucial part of any health concern. If you aren’t sure you have the disorder, get a professional opinion. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you should continue to seek advice and input from a professional source. A partner can help you through some of the issues, but a professional will know exactly what to do and how to proceed.

3. Adapt Together This can mean changing the home schedule, reorganizing the bedroom to accommodate the PAP device, or encouraging a partner to abide by a doctor’s recommendations. A daily commitment to reduced caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine could be a challenge for some patients, but spousal support can go a long way to keep these behaviors in check. The same can also be said about exercise, something most people want to do, but lack the time or energy to keep it up as a routine. All of these lifestyle changes are easier with teamwork.

4. Patience Remember that your partner has a serious medical problem. While you may become frustrated with the slow pace of progress, it is a learning process that eventually leads to improvement. Your partner may have trouble adjusting in the beginning and may feel a bit overwhelmed, but they will adapt faster with your help and understanding. If the snoring doesn’t stop right away, consider earplugs or a temporary separate sleeping arrangement. Once the machine settings are matched and the treatment begins to help with the symptoms, the snoring should not be as much of a problem, if at all. Keep in mind that an adjustment period of weeks to months might involve different mask types, setting adjustments, and other preferences. The important thing is that both of you are willing to do what it takes to make it work.

5. Optimism Keep things on the positive side. The patient may be feeling unattractive or cumbersome with the new treatment device, but a little verbal encouragement goes a long way to keep the focus on improvement, rather than on the difficulties. Highlight the machine’s benefits when you talk about it, and if progress is slow, look forward to the future. A bit of humor doesn’t hurt either. There’s no reason why a gold standard treatment should be viewed as a negative experience. It is an opportunity for improved health and a better quality of life.

6. Flexibility Remind your partner that current routines are flexible. Chances are, more than one thing will need to be changed to adapt to treatment. Doctors may have suggestions for how the bedroom is situated, how much lighting is allowed at certain hours, when to exercise or eat or sleep, and all of this will affect both partners. But if you recognize that flexibility is part of the treatment, you will expect these changes and make the necessary adjustments without issue.

Support Goes Both Ways

For those diagnosed with a condition, it is important to remember that your treatment is entering the home and affecting both you and your partner. Yes, you are the one learning how to breathe with CPAP, but your partner must also adapt to the many demands and changes that this new treatment entails. Nearly a third of cohabitating couples report that their relationships are adversely affected by sleep problems, and yet, the most advanced forms of treatment are often cut short by before the end of the adjustment period. Seeking treatment for a life-threatening sleep disorder should not be a reason for marital strife; it should be a path to a better life for both of you. If your marriage is already strong and mutually supportive, this will likely improve your chances of CPAP success. And if your marriage is not as strong as you’d like it to be, solving the problem of sleep apnea can have a positive impact on your relationship. Support goes both ways, and so do the benefits.