Kiss goodbye to snoring this Valentine’s Day

Is snoring causing resentment in your relationship? Millions of couples claim that being kept awake at night is their biggest gripe – but don’t take steps to fix the problem.

Around 46% of adults in the UK claim that their partner snores. Of these, 33% say that they’ve experienced relationship problems as a result. This is hardly surprising news – research has shown that snoring often creates tiredness and frustration between couples. Many start to lose emotional and sexual intimacy when one partner is retreating to the spare room every night.

It’s not just the relationship that suffers, either. People who sleep next to snorers are much more likely to be putting their health at risk. A study found that couples who argue after sleeping for less than seven hours have higher levels of inflammation in their blood than normal. This stress-related inflammation is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis.

The spare bedroom isn’t always the answer

There are many ways you can try to reduce your partner’s snoring. Before you give up hope of ever spending the night together again, give some simple lifestyle changes a go.

  • Exercise. Being overweight by even a few pounds can hugely increase the chances of snoring. Fat around the neck often leads to the upper airway narrowing, restricting the ability to breathe freely. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help reduce body fat and stop snoring caused by being overweight.
  • Cut down on drinking. It might be hard for your partner to give up a night-time tipple. But reducing the amount of alcohol you drink limits the relaxation effect on muscle tissue that leads to snoring.
  • Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke irritates and damages the lining of your nasal cavity and throat. This causes swelling and reduces the airway tissue’s elasticity. Reducing the number of cigarettes that your partner smokes can help limit the irritation and help them breathe more freely.

A solution for every snorer

If lifestyle changes don’t work, snoring relief products are often very helpful. There are a variety of treatments to try, from nasal sprays to oral devices.

Before deciding, it’s useful to know what type of snorer your partner is. Different products will treat different types of snoring. Click here to find out which category they fall into, as well as recommended products.

Many couples don’t realise that snoring isn’t normal. Don’t let poor sleep affect your relationship – and your health.

 

 

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