For the Bed Partner

Sharing a bed with a snorer can affect your quality of life and also be harmful to your physical and emotional health. In many cases, both bed partners suffer from sleep-disordered breathing and sleep deprivation although only one has clinical signs and symptoms of snoring or sleep apnea. Often, snorers do not take complaints from their bed partner seriously or act in denial – which can make the situation worse.

Research shows that people who sleep next to someone who snores also experience physical and emotional consequences. Snoring and sleep apnea is unique in that it is a condition that can affect two people, although only one person has the problem. This is why it is important for you to accompany your partner to their doctor visit so that you can describe the symptoms.

How Snoring and Sleep Apnea Affects Bed Partners

• Sleep deprivation
• High levels of fatigue and daytime sleepiness
• Higher rate of aches and pains
• Hearing loss, especially limited to the one ear most exposed to the snoring
• Depression or poorer mental health
• Irritability
• Memory impairment
• Increased risk for accidents

Try these tips:

• Suggest that you both get screened for sleep disordered breathing to see if either of you has a problem that could lead to something more serious
• Discuss the negative health effects of sleep deprivation
• Research different treatment options and discuss with your partner
• Ask your partner to discuss his/her snoring with his/her primary care doctor
• Tell a story about a friend who had a positive experience with treatment

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