Yes, my partner Snores…

The only thing more aggravating than sleeping with a snorer is sleeping with someone who doesn’t think their snoring is a problem.

Congratulations on taking the first step towards better health for both you and your partner. You already know that your partner’s snoring is your problem. Snoring affects the quality of your life and your relationship because you get a poor night’s sleep even if your partner claims to sleep well. The truth is that they don’t know how good their sleep could really be.

If you have witnessed your partner gasping or choking during sleep, they probably also have sleep apnoea. They can’t imagine that they could feel more alert during the day, have better concentration and memory and be less irritable if they were treated. They don’t appreciate that because your sleep is disrupted, you would be less cranky too if they got their snoring and sleep fixed.

Improve your relationship and your life. Optimise your sleep by making an appointment for your partner to have their snoring and sleep assessed by a professional who cares about both of you. Many of our patients have their appointments made by their loved one

What is Snoring?

Snoring is the sound heard when the soft tissue at the back of the throat vibrates during breathing. The windpipe is narrowed and it is harder to breathe in and out.

Snoring can increase with age as the muscles at the back of the throat sag. Snoring also increases with weight as there is more fat in the tongue and back of the throat narrowing the airflow path. Alcohol and smoking can also make snoring worse.

Young, slim people also snore. This may be caused by a bent nasal septum, enlarged tongue, tonsils or adenoids or a narrow jaw with crowded teeth and protruding top teeth.

After menopause – women and men have the same rates of snoring and sleep apnoea.

What is Sleep Apnoea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea occurs when the back of the throat relaxes and goes so floppy during sleep that it completely blocks the airway.

The airway remains blocked for several seconds and the heart beats faster to get more oxygen to the organs – increasing blood pressure. The oxygen deprivation sends a brain signal to gasp for air, and gasp or choke to re-establish breathing. This temporarily unblocks the airway, but over time, the muscles relax again and the cycle repeats.

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea disrupts your partner’s sleep and can leave them feeling tired during the day affecting their mood, concentration and memory. Some people are irritable with a general lack of energy or personality changes. Sleep apnoea is associated with high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack,  acid reflux, diabetes, dementia, depression and anxiety, reduced libido and erectile dysfunction.

Can Snorefix Help?

A Snorefix mouthguard is a suitable first-line treatment for snorers and those with mild to moderate sleep apnoea. We offer a style of Snorefix mouthguard that both men and women feel comfortable wearing that is discrete and unobtrusive – so you can get on with life.

“Oral appliances [like a Snorefix mouthguard] are indicated for patients with mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea (O.S.A.). Oral appliances may be also used in patients with severe O.S.A. who are unable to tolerate a CPAP machine.”

– American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation, Management, and Long-term Care of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults, 2009.