Everybody snores occasionally. However, if you find yourself snoring every night, it is time to find out why. No matter how much you love each other, your snoring problem and the consequent lack of sleep can strain your relationship apart from putting your health at risk.
Among snorers, the muscle of their throat and tongue relax during sleep, which leads to narrowing of the airway. The vibration of air through this constricted passage creates the harsh snoring sounds. Snoring disrupts your sleep and the consequent lack of energy could make you grumpy, less communicative and bring down your sex drive too. Your bed partner might suffer from the same problems due to the constant noise at night which keeps them away from a good night’s sleep.
A number of studies have proved that snoring does have an impact on relationships. Over 50% of couples said that snoring did result in a number of arguments and 10% even considered leaving their partner due to the problem. The effects which include sleeping apart, spending less time together and irritable behavior contribute to strained relationships.
It is important to treat your snoring problem in the early stages as heavy snoring could lead to sleep apnea, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. When left untreated, it may lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke. You need to visit a sleep specialist to determine the cause and the best treatment option for your needs. There are a number of sleep clinics which carry out diagnostic sleep studies. Following that you can choose a treatment option which will help you enjoy a restful nights sleep.
1) You can find out more about the ideal sleeping positions (instead of sleeping on your back, try to sleep sideways or on your stomach) and make sure that you are sleeping on a firm and flat mattress.
2) Since obesity has been recognized as a major cause of snoring, you might have to fight the fat to get rid of snoring.
3) There are a number of lifestyle related changes such as avoidance of smoking, sedatives and alcohol which can help treat snoring too.
4) Doctors also suggest nasal strips or decongestants. In extreme cases, surgery is recommended.
However, you need to select a treatment option under proper guidance. With the number of options available, there is no longer an excuse to shy away from treating your snoring problem before you get married. Find help before snoring ruins your relationship.