How to Talk to Your Partner about Snoring

Snoring is no laughing matter, especially if you have a sleeping partner who snores loudly throughout the night. Anyone in this position will know how frustrating it can quickly become, as the snorer sleeps on blissfully while you toss and turn restlessly. Some people will resort to separate bedrooms or sleep on the sofa out of desperation.

When you find yourself resorting to ever less subtle nudges and continuously feel fatigued and ill-rested, then it is time to have a conversation with your partner about how best to deal with this problem so you can both sleep soundly in future.

Approaching the Matter Sensitively

Nobody wants to be told they snore so loudly that they are stopping someone else from sleeping, so try to approach the topic from a caring perspective and resist the urge to complain or nag. Instead, be honest about your feelings and ask your partner for their thoughts and ideas on the subject. Snoring can indicate potential health issues, so discussing this matter is a way to show you care about them and will support them if and when they wish to see a medical professional for help and advice.

Identifying Triggers

Often, certain triggers can worsen snoring. Some people find their snoring increases after they have had a beer or two or perhaps a little too much wine. Other times people will snore more frequently when they lie in certain positions, especially on their back. It’s a good idea to try and identify these potential triggers so you can talk them over with your partner and form a plan.

Be Patient

Much as they’d like to, your partner cannot control when they snore, but you can work together to try and see which sleeping positions work best. Also, discuss perhaps losing any excess weight or cutting down or drinking to see if this makes a difference. When talking it through with your partner, always frame these ideas as a challenge you can work through together, but you will probably need to be patient until you find a strategy that works.

Seeking Professional Help

Persistent snoring, especially when frequently interrupted by pauses in breathing, can indicate a problem with sleep apnoea. In this case, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help. Your partner may benefit from a sleep study, where their sleep is monitored overnight, often in the comfort of your own home and the data used to assess if they have sleep apnoea. If your partner is diagnosed with sleep apnoea, they will need a good treatment plan to remedy this situation. There are various ways to treat sleep apnoea, including lifestyle modifications such as losing any excess weight. Specialised oral devices like our custom-fitted mouthguard can often help significantly. A custom mouthguard is carefully fitted to ensure it is comfortable to wear overnight and is unobtrusive. Wearing a mouthguard helps hold open the airway during sleep, preventing snoring and pauses in breathing. This device can give you both a restful and better quality night’s sleep.