You may find this question rather odd, but it’s not funny when you’re partner is a chronic snorer. In fact, there have been studies to indicate snoring can and has ruined relationships. Say your partner is snoring so loudly that you can’t sleep- what do you do? Banish them to the couch? Consider leaving? If you’re concerned that snoring is having an adverse effect on your relationship, then read on.
What causes snoring?
When you’re asleep, snoring occurs when the muscles in your neck relax, to the point the upper airway (the nose and throat) partly close. This restricts the amount of air that travels through to the lungs, resulting in a snoring habit that you can’t seem to banish.
How does snoring impact on you and your partner?
Sleep deprivation has some serious repercussions which can lead to things such as memory loss, poor judgement, loss of sex drive, depression, weight gain and even a shortened life span. However, it’s not just the sleep-deprived partner who’s being affected, the person who is snoring suffers adverse effects as well. This may include sleep apnoea, a potentially life-threatening condition where a person’s breathing may stop for a brief period during sleep, and restarts again with a loud choking or snorting sound.
If you want solutions to curb your partner’s snoring, then read our 5 tips to alleviate snoring:
1. Change your sleeping position
Snoring is more likely to occur if you sleep on your back, as this position allows the tongue and throat muscles to relax, which obstructs the airway. We suggest trying to sleep on your side. A body pillow is recommended to help keep you in this position.
Some people have reported that taping tennis balls onto their pyjamas stops them from sleeping on their back. This is because each time they roll their back during the night, they’ll feel uncomfortable and turn back to the side.
2. Lose weight
If a person who is snoring is overweight, losing between 5 to 7 kilograms can make a huge difference in the amount of excess tissue in the throat. This means the throat is less likely to collapse, which often triggers snoring during sleep.
3. Avoid alcohol
Don’t even think about drinking a glass of wine before you go to bed. Alcohol acts a muscle relaxant, which means your jaw is more likely going drop open and cause your throat to sag.
4. Change your pillows
Dust mites can accumulate in pillows and may cause an allergic reaction which could lead to snoring. If your pillows are washable, wash them once a month. If not, just run them regularly through the clothes dryer in order to remove the hair and dust. For those who have pets, make sure you keep them out of the bedroom, as they often shed dander (a combination of dead skin cells and hair), which can also trigger snoring.
5. If you smoke, stop!
If you’re a smoker, stop immediately. Smoking causes airways to become blocked, which irritates the membranes of the nose and throat.
So if you’re getting frustrated at your partner’s snoring habit, perhaps it’s time to work on techniques together that could either solve the snoring itself, or seek professional help.
Didnt realise those things caused snoring, or it could limit the usual functioning of the body.