5 Ways Snoring Can Suffocate Your Marriage –
After marriage, most couples dream of drifting off together and enjoying a peaceful night’s sleep. Unfortunately, reality paints a different picture.
Statistics show that almost 30% of marriages suffer because of snoring. If they attempt to deal with the problem, the snoring spouse would feel dragged to the doctor and is often resentful. On the other hand, the spouse that must listen to the snoring feels tired and frustrated. If it weren’t for their bed partner, most snorers would not even know that they have a problem.
Both the snorer and the bed partner suffer from sleep loss due to snoring. Other than lack of sleep, what are the other ways snoring can suffocate your marriage?
1. Heightened Stress Levels
According to the National Sleep Foundation, about 39% of American adults get less than seven hours of sleep every night. 1 out of 3 people from that 39% is so sleepy during the day that it interferes with daily activities. The spouse is reportedly losing 1 to 3 hours of sleep every night because of restless sleep from the sound of the partner snoring.
Sleep deprivation can result in irritability, difficulty with memory and concentration, and daytime sleepiness. The resulting emotional state may contribute in the bickering between the husband and the wife, creating a more stressful environment at home.
2. Additional Marriage Complaints
Couples who have a partner suffering from snoring and sleep apnea have higher divorce rates according to a study from The Sleep Disorder Center at Rush University Medical Center. Married couples who are in this situation have a reduced quality of married life and a higher rate of marital dissatisfaction. People with snoring issues and their spouses often find themselves resentful and angry toward each other. In some cases, snoring may be used by the non-snorer to start or fuel an argument.
3. Significantly Reduced Intimacy
One reason why couples sleep separately is because of marital problems and domestic disputes. A lot of marriages ending in divorce start with sleeping in two separate rooms. Snoring is a common reason why married couples sleep in different beds. About 35% of married couples sleep in separate rooms due to snoring. The non-snorer may get sufficient sleep at night at the expense of the marriage’s intimacy.
4. Additional Financial Constraints Due to Health Concerns
Snoring occurs more often in men and those who are overweight. It also tends to get worse as people age and is often a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring may not always be a serious health concern. However, it’s a different case if you are a habitual snorer and you disrupt the sleep of your bed partner including yourself. Snoring is related to many health risk factors. A study published in March 2008 entitled “Journal of Sleep” revealed that loud snorers have a 40% risk to suffer from high blood pressure, a 34% risk to have a heart attack and a 67% greater chance of stroke. Other than sleep apnea, snoring can cause several problems including:
- Heart disease
- Increased risk of stroke
- Arrhythmia
- Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Injuries
- Mental health issues
- Headache
- Diabetes
- Depression
When left untreated, undiagnosed sleep apnea comes with a $30 billion-a-year price tag from increased health care and medication costs.
5. Increased Risks of Injury or Death
It might sound a little extreme but snoring due to sleep apnea may cause injury or death. If you and your partner lose sleep because of this condition, it is important to realize the potential dangers posed by this sleep disorder.
The journal “Sleep” found that people with severe sleep apnea have a higher risk of dying prematurely because of health issues. Another study conducted by the Yale Center for Sleep Medicine with more than 1,000 participants found that sleep apnea increases the risk of stroke or death.
Sleep apnea can also cause fatigue which results in excessive daytime sleepiness and slower reaction times. These can cause work-related injuries, medication mistakes, falls, and accidents. Lack of sleep due to snoring can also cause a person to fall asleep during inopportune times like driving a car or operating heavy machinery which can contribute to auto accidents.
Snoring Treatment Options
There are several different snoring remedies that work:
Somnoplasty
This is a procedure to create lesions where a needle is placed on the surface of the throat tissue by the surgeon while applying low-power energy. The method is designed to end snoring by preventing the throat muscles from vibrating when air flows by.
Pilar Procedure
The surgery involves small rods made from polyester, 18mm by 2mm in size. The doctor places these rods just beneath the surface of soft palate tissues. Similar to somnoplasty, the muscles will harden and stop the vibrations from occurring. This treatment costs around $1,000 to $2,500 per session.
Safe, Gentle, and Effective Laser Snoring Treatment
This non-surgical approach is the latest in the line of dental treatments. A mild laser light is used to tighten and lift the soft palate. The result is an increased airway opening and a reduction in snoring. It is a relatively painless procedure and requires no needles or anesthesia.
Studies have shown that this laser treatment has a 97% success rate in reducing snoring. Typically, treatment requires three 30-minute sessions over six weeks.
To pursue this option, contact a dental sleep specialist.