For the men’s health month, we sat with Gregory Arneaud’s sleeping health expert from ISD Health Solutions to talk about a problem that quietly destroys men’s health and relationships.
You work with many men who have sleep apnea. What makes men so resistant to dealing with this issue?
It comes under the male culture, honestly. Think of the athletes, the military or just the regular men who have been taught to push the pain and never show weakness. When you breathe for air at night or sleep during the day, admitting that it feels like admitting you’re broken a bit.
Men will hit energy drinks and coffee all day to fight from fatigue instead of asking why they are so tired in the first place. We have prepared for power through everything, even when our bodies are shouting for help.
Well, is it really for the stigma?
Absolutely. Men usually seek help only when their health problems begin to affect the performance of the work or their relationships. Or when they have severe terrorism that forces their hand. Women are usually the ones who are pushing their partners to finally see a doctor for snoring or constant fatigue.
What are the warning signs that men really need to pay attention to?
The obvious are strong snoring, breathing or drowning sounds during sleep, and wakes up with a dry mouth. But here is that many men do not realize: If you are sleeping during activities that should not be tiring, this is a red flag. We’re talking about the shake while watching TV, during meetings or even while driving short distances.
Morning headaches, a feeling of exhausted even after a complete sleep, irritability – these are not just signs of German or underlined. They could be your body by saying that it doesn’t get the oxygen it needs at night.
How does sleep apnea really hurt relationships?
It is brutal for close relationships. First, you have the snoring that keeps your partner awake. Then there is the most material – Sleep apnea confuses with your hormones, including testosterone, which kills your libido and can cause sexual dysfunction.
But beyond the bedroom, you have to deal with mood changes, irritability and simply not being present with your family. You’re exhausted, crazy and your patience is shot. Over time, this emotional distance really takes a tax on relationships.
What happens to the body when someone has sleep apnea?
Whenever your breathing stops – and this can happen hundreds of times per night – your body goes into panic mode. Your heart spikes, blood pressure jumps and basically put your cardiovascular system through a stress test all night.
This leads to real health problems: hypertension, increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and diabetes because your body becomes insulin resistant. Your hormones are completely out of the bump – not only testosterone, but also hormones that control hunger and appetite, so so many people with sleep apnea are struggling with weight gain.
Speaking of weight, how does the sleeping rate enter?
Sleeping on your back is the worst position for sleep apnea. Gravity pulls the tongue and soft tissues back, making it even harder to keep your airway open. It is one of those things that look simple but can make a real difference.
Let’s talk about treatment. Why so many men resist CPAP engines?
CPAP stigma is real. Men see it as this big, embarrassed machine that makes them look weak or unattractive. There is embarrassment around the use of mask in bed – he doesn’t just shout at a male or sexy.
But here is the thing – it is usually a lifelong treatment unless you make significant changes such as significant weight loss or surgery. The key is education and support. When men understand what apnea does not have been treated in the body and their families, most are willing to try it.
Are there any alternatives to CPAP?
Yes, there are oral devices – basically customized mouths that help maintain your airway. There are also newer devices such as Inspire that stimulate the muscles in your air duct. But I want to be clear – these are not 100% effective for everyone or for any type of sleep apnea. The seriousness and this type of apnea have determined what will work best.
What changes do you see when men really get treatment?
The transformation is incredible. My couples tell me that snoring attitudes, both partners sleep better and the man’s mood changes completely. His energy returns, he is more patient with his family and intimacy improves – both emotionally and physically.
I had husbands thanks for taking back their husband. This is not an exaggeration. When one has not had quality sleep for years, their proper treatment literally gives their lives back.
How should one approach a man in his life who can have sleep apnea?
They come from a place of love and anxiety, not a crisis. Don’t do it on how its snoring affects you – do it about how much you care about his health and want him for a long time.
Frame it as a liability, not as a weakness. Men respond well when you tell them that treatment is actually the powerful thing to do – this is to be there for their family and play at their best.
Why is the right diagnosis so important?
You cannot diagnose sleep apnea based only on the symptoms. You need real sleep tests to understand what’s going on during the night. There are different types of sleep apnea, different levels of severity and the treatment depends on taking an exact image of what is happening.
Too many people try to diagnose or assume that their snoring is not a big deal. But sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that affects your whole body.
What is your biggest concern for men and sleep health?
Men underestimate sleep, period. They will watch their training routine or their diet, but they treat sleep as if they were optional. Sleep is when your body recovers, when your brain processes information, when your hormones restore you. You cannot perform the best – of course or mentally – without quality sleep.
In places like the Caribbean, where I work, there are still a lot of stigma around sleep disorders. We need better education and awareness, especially in communities where men are expected to harden everything.
What is your main message for men who read it?
“How you sleep is the way you live.” This is not just a catchy phrase – it’s the truth. If you are snoring loudly, sleep during the day, or your partner tells you that you stop breathing at night, don’t ignore it.
Evaluation of sleep apnea does not admit defeat – takes control of your health. Unnatural sleep apnea does not only affect you. It affects everyone who cares about you. Your family wants to health and present you, not just survive in caffeine and will.
Any final thoughts?
Stop heal sleep as if it were a luxury or something you can wipe. Your performance at work, your relationships, your physical health, your mental health – depends on the quality. If something interferes with it, it is worth investigating.
And men, listen to your partners. They are often the first to observe snoring, breathing, mood changes. They are not moaning – they are worried about you.
The views expressed in this blog do not reflect the views of the men’s health network.
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Gregory Arneaud works with ISD health solutions, promoting sleep awareness services and consulting services. He is also the author of the wake -up call: how you sleep is the way you live. If you think you may have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor to get a sleeping study. Your health – and your family – I will thank you.
