Nearly half of American adults snore in their sleep regularly. While may women snore, men aged 50- 59, are the most likely to snore with the highest volume. If you’re one of them, you might be causing a nuisance and frustration to your bed-partner. Your wife can lose sleep because of your loud snoring and feel exhausted, resentful, and irritated during the day.
When this becomes a cycle, it might spoil intimacy and put a strain on your relationship. Snoring is considered unreasonable behavior and is the third leading cause of divorce in the USA. Here’s how to save your marriage if you’re a noisy snorer:
1. Talk with your doctor
Snoring has different causes such as alcohol consumption, allergies, the anatomy of your sinuses and mouth, sleep position, medication, obesity, or a cold. However, it can be a symptom of an underlying health problem called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where patients experience a brief pause or interruption in the natural breathing pattern when they sleep.
If you have this condition, you might choke, gasp, and snore loudly, which can last from seconds to minutes. This can happen more than 30 times per hour without you realizing it. So if your partner complains that you snore louder than a lawnmower, do not laugh it off. You need to visit your ENT doctor in Denver so that you’ll get a proper diagnosis.
There are several treatment options available, depending on the type of sleep apnea. These include positive airway pressure therapy, oral appliance therapy, and surgery.
2. Take a sleep vacation
Instead of turning your wife’s complaints into a fight, offer to move into another room. You need to accept that your snoring is not just a simple annoyance; it is detrimental to your partner’s health and your relationship. Sleeping in a separate room might not be a permanent solution, but it will show your partner that you are accountable for your snoring.
3. Do healthy lifestyle changes
Show your spouse that you’re serious about finding a cure. Switching to a healthy lifestyle can reduce or stop your snoring. If you notice that your loud snoring is triggered by late happy hours, you should cut back on alcohol before bedtime. You can also consider quitting smoking as it can irritate the airways and make snoring worse.
If your weight is the culprit, commit to a healthy diet and exercise routine to eliminate the extra pounds. A study shows that losing 10-15% of your excess body weight can lessen the severity of your sleep apnea by 50%. A lack of quality sleep can also increase your chances of snoring at night. It will be best to go to bed early and develop a regular sleeping habit.
Sleep is a vital human need. When you snore, you are depriving your partner of this basic necessity. Don’t force your spouse to endure endless, miserable nights because of your snoring. Find a solution before your nocturnal noise disrupts your marital harmony.