Sleep Apnea and Your Relationships in Virginia Beach

Sleep apnea can turn a good night’s sleep into a regular source of frustration, and for many couples in Virginia Beach, it’s not just the person with sleep apnea who suffers. Broken sleep, loud snoring, gasping, and morning fatigue can throw off even the strongest relationships. When someone’s sleep is repeatedly interrupted, their mood and energy drop. That affects how they connect with people around them, especially their partner.


If your partner tells you that you’re disturbing their sleep or seems increasingly tired and withdrawn, it might be worth looking into the root cause. Living in a beach city like Virginia Beach has its perks, like access to the ocean and sunny skies, but it’s hard to enjoy any of that when your nights aren’t restful. That’s where Dr. Brian Briesemeister steps in. He works with people across the city dealing with sleep apnea, helping them breathe easier and feel better with simple oral appliances designed to support restful sleep.


Understanding Sleep Apnea


Sleep apnea happens when breathing stops and starts during sleep, which can leave people feeling tired even after a full night in bed. Most people don’t realize they have it until a partner mentions their snoring or notices pauses in breathing. Some common signs include:


  • Loud, regular snoring
  • Morning headaches or a sore throat
  • Daytime drowsiness, even after sleeping through the night
  • Waking up at night, sometimes gasping for air
  • Trouble staying focused or remembering things


When sleep apnea goes untreated, it can affect more than just how sleepy you feel. It puts extra stress on your health and can even disrupt key aspects of your life like work, emotional balance, and personal relationships.


Rather than using CPAP machines or recommending sleep studies, Dr. Brian Briesemeister focuses solely on oral appliance therapy. These small custom-made devices shift your jaw slightly while you sleep to keep your airway open. They’re quiet, easy to use, and comfortable, making them a preferred choice for many Virginia Beach residents looking for a low-maintenance way to sleep better.


How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Relationship


Sleep apnea doesn’t just wear out the person who has it. It can be just as hard on their partner. When one person’s sleep is frequently interrupted—whether by snoring, gasping, or tossing and turning—the other often gets pulled into that struggle too.


Here are a few ways sleep apnea can affect your relationship:


  • Lack of sleep makes it easier to argue and harder to forgive
  • Feeling constantly tired can cause mood swings and reduced patience
  • One partner may sleep in another room to get uninterrupted rest, creating physical and emotional distance
  • Personal connection takes a hit when conversations become shorter or more tense due to fatigue


Often, these frustrations grow slowly until they start to feel overwhelming. But once sleep apnea is identified and properly managed, many couples start to reconnect. Rebuilding that sense of closeness usually starts with something as simple as getting a full night’s sleep.


Dr. Brian Briesemeister works with couples from Virginia Beach who want to take back their sleep and rediscover the benefits of peaceful nights and more positive days.


How Dr. Brian Briesemeister Can Help


At the Center For Sleep & TMJ, Dr. Brian Briesemeister offers oral appliance therapy that is personalized and effective. These devices are custom-built to support your jaw in a slightly forward position, keeping your airway open throughout the night so you can breathe normally while sleeping.


The process is designed to be simple. When you come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Brian Briesemeister will take time to understand your symptoms and how they’re affecting your life. If oral appliance therapy is a good fit for you, impressions will be taken to create a custom device you can wear during sleep.


Everything is done with comfort and simplicity in mind. Once completed, you’ll return for follow-up visits to check your progress and make sure the appliance is adjusted for optimal results. Over time, many of Dr. Brian Briesemeister’s patients see clear improvements to their sleep and daily energy levels, which leads to better interactions with their partners and loved ones.


Tips for Supporting a Partner with Sleep Apnea


If your partner has sleep apnea, it can wear on your relationship. But there are steps you can take to support them—and improve your own rest in the process.


1. Communicate Openly: Talk about how broken sleep is affecting both of you. Sharing how you feel in a calm, supportive way helps build understanding.

2. Improve the Sleep Environment: Try using a white noise machine, blackout curtains, or a fan. A cool, quiet, dark bedroom may make it easier for both of you to sleep.

3. Suggest Professional Help: Recommending a visit to Dr. Brian Briesemeister can bring new clarity to your situation. Knowing there’s a clear path forward makes a big difference.


Making sleep a shared goal instead of a solo burden can bring couples closer. Solutions do exist, and working as a team to find them often takes pressure off both people.


Better Sleep, Better Connection in Virginia Beach


Fixing your sleep is more than just getting rest. It’s about regaining the energy and focus needed to thrive in your relationship. When sleep apnea goes untreated, both people in the relationship can feel drained. When you start breathing clearly at night, mornings feel lighter, conversations get easier, and there’s more room for enjoyment in everyday life.


Living in Virginia Beach gives you access to so many enriching things—from morning walks by the water to evenings spent out together—but enjoying those starts with quality sleep. If you’re feeling disconnected or tired due to sleep struggles, that doesn’t have to be your normal.


Dr. Brian Briesemeister is here to help you break the cycle of poor sleep and frayed connection. With a focus on comfort and proven relief, the Center For Sleep & TMJ supports people across Virginia Beach in getting back to sleeping well and communicating better—as partners, and as individuals.


Ready to enjoy deeper sleep and a more connected relationship? Let Dr. Brian Briesemeister and the Center For Sleep & TMJ help you find relief through our trusted sleep clinic in Virginia Beach. Better nights start with the right support.

Phone: (757) 895-7244

Fax: (757) 929-7097

Email: info@sleepva.com

Monday Through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday-Sunday: Closed

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