How Much is my Snoring Affecting my Partner?

If you snore, you’re not the only one affected by the nighttime noise. Your sleep partner is struggling with some of the same lack of restorative sleep that you are.

In this blog, sleep specialist Dr. Marc Levin of eos dental sleep explains how your snoring can affect your partner and what types of snoring treatment are available.

A source of conflict and frustration

Snoring isn’t good for a relationship. If you snore, you probably wonder what you can do about your partner’s complaints and feel guilty about keeping him or her awake. You may also feel helpless since you don’t have control over your snoring

On the other hand, your partner probably has built up some resentment since you’re interfering with his or her ability to get a good night’s rest.

Does snoring cause poor quality of sleep?

With both partners failing to get a good, restorative night’s sleep, tempers may be short. A lack of sleep has been associated with irritability and a lack of empathy. It’s even been found to make couples appreciate each other less and feel more selfish. This isn’t exactly helpful when it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship.

Does snoring cause a lack of intimacy?

The partners of chronic snorers are likely to move to another room to sleep in an effort to finally get some rest. Not only can this put a damper on sexual intimacy, but also on the conversation and cuddling that couples can share at night. For many couples, it’s finally a quiet time of day where they can focus on each other for a few minutes, but that’s impossible to do when you’re in separate rooms.

How to get help for snoring:

If you snore, a visit to a sleep specialist can help you get to the root of the problem. You may have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, which is often associated with snoring. This disorder is characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing throughout the night. It can have a significant impact on the quality of rest you get as well as your overall health.

A sleep specialist can order a sleep study, which measures and records information about what happens to your body when you sleep, including your oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing, movement, brain activity, and more. This will either confirm or rule out a diagnosis of sleep apnea and allow you to start receiving the treatment you need.

What snoring treatment is available?

Several types of snoring treatment are available. In most cases, a non-invasive form of snoring treatment will be tried first. These include:

• CPAP machine – A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine delivers a steady flow of air via hoses and a mask worn on your face. It helps keep your airway open at night to alleviate snoring as well as the symptoms of sleep apnea. Although it can be very effective, many people stop using it because they find it to be too uncomfortable.
• Oral appliances – These custom-made mouthpieces are worn at night and gently coax the jaw and/or tongue forward so they aren’t blocking your airway. They’re often an effective way to treat patients who find CPAP too uncomfortable to use.

If you snore, make an appointment today with eos dental sleep. Dr. Levin will discuss your symptoms and medical history with you, order a sleep study if needed, and correctly diagnose the cause of your snoring. An effective treatment plan will be devised so you – and your partner – can get the sleep you both deserve!