Sleeping next to a partner who snores may be impacting health, according to experts. Snoring, caused by vibrations in the upper airways during sleep, affects approximately 40% of the UK adult population, with men more commonly affected than women.
A US survey by the Sleep Foundation indicates that 75% of individuals with a snoring partner experience disrupted sleep. This fragmented sleep can reduce time spent in restorative sleep stages, leading to feelings of tiredness even after extended time in bed, as explained by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA).
Disrupted sleep can also interfere with the brain's ability to process and store information, potentially affecting focus and memory. Furthermore, it may impact hormone regulation, influencing energy levels and motivation, and can unbalance brain systems involved in stress and emotional response, leading to increased irritability.
Dr Clare Simon, a dentist specialising in dental sleep medicine, notes that broken sleep due to a partner's snoring can lead to irritability, arguments, and potentially reduced intimacy if separate sleeping arrangements are adopted. Prof Ama Johal, a consultant orthodontist and sleep expert, suggests that couples often tolerate snoring for too long, impacting their relationships and wellbeing.
Experts advise distinguishing between simple snoring and sleep apnoea, a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Signs of sleep apnoea include breathing pauses, choking, frequent waking, and morning headaches. If sleep apnoea is suspected, treatments such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or surgery may be recommended.
For simple snoring, lifestyle changes like weight loss, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol before bed, or changing sleeping position may help. Consulting a GP for further advice or a referral to a specialist is also suggested. Experts may recommend treating nasal obstruction or allergies, or using a custom mouthguard to keep the airway open.