How Snoring Affects Spouses and Sleep Partners
Almost six in ten people snore. Most people who snore report that it bothers the people around them. This is particularly true for spouses and sleep partners of people who snore. In fact, people who share a bed with someone who snores often suffer many of the same consequences as patients with sleep apnea.
People who sleep with someone who snores often lose a significant amount of sleep. This has serious consequences, including moodiness, difficulty concentrating, and sleepiness or a lack of energy during the day. It’s also been shown to put your hearing at risk.
Sleeping with a snorer can significantly damage your health and happiness. This often puts a major strain on the relationship. Partners commonly argue about snoring and it also creates feelings of resentment which exacerbates the problem.
Strategies for Coping With Your Partner’s Snoring
Over time, people who share a bed with a heavy snorer develop many strategies for dealing with the issue. A common reaction is to wake the snorer or to nudge them in order to get them to sleep on their side. This is somewhat effective because a person is most likely to snore when sleeping on their back.
One technique used by couples to reduce snoring is to have the snorer wear a t-shirt backward and place a tennis ball in the pocket. This can be effective at reducing snoring because it discourages them from sleeping on their back.
Many people who sleep with a snorer try to fall asleep before their partner. This strategy has its limitations as they are often awakened by their partner’s snoring later in the night.
White noise machines and earplugs can be effective for blocking out the noise of your partner’s snoring and allowing you to get a good night’s rest. But many people are reluctant to use earplugs because they prevent them from hearing important things, like an alarm clock or a child stirring during the night.
Sleeping Apart
People who are in long-term relationships with a partner who snores frequently go to another room when the noise becomes too distracting for them to sleep. Many couples permanently stop sleeping together. Almost half of the couples who stop sleeping together report that snoring is the reason for their decision.
Heavy snoring is a major symptom of sleep apnea. Another key indicator of sleep apnea is when the patient’s spouse or sleep partner notices that they frequently stop breathing or make gasping noises during sleep.
Getting the Proper Care for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you feel sleepy, irritable, or fatigued during the day, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. See Dr. Dani right away and she’ll make sure you get the correct diagnosis and the appropriate care.
If it turns out that your heavy snoring isn’t related to sleep apnea, we can still treat your snoring with a small, quiet, and convenient dental appliance.