Snoring is Affecting My Relationship

If your spouse or partner is complaining about your loud snoring, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. This condition causes patients to stop breathing for brief periods of time when the airway opening is obstructed. Sleep apnea also causes snoring when the air passes through tissues that are partially blocking the airway, making a vibration that is accompanied by noise. Fortunately, snoring that is a symptom of sleep apnea can be eliminated if you get treatment for this condition. So, before your partner kicks you out of the bedroom, schedule a consultation with our sleep apnea expert to learn what interventions may help you.

My Partner Is Fed Up With My Snoring! How can I make it stop?

The loud snoring caused by sleep apnea can easily disrupt a sleeping partner’s rest, so their frustration is understandable. Fortunately, we can work with you to eliminate this symptom. The first step in stopping your loud snoring is to be evaluated to make sure that sleep apnea is the cause. Snoring can result from other issues, so it’s important to know what is causing your snoring before pursuing treatment. If you have been told that you snore loudly, come to our office for an evaluation.

What treatments are available for sleep apnea?

The key to effective sleep apnea treatment is to prevent the soft tissues at the back of the throat from blocking the airway. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device keeps the airway open by forcing air into it while the patient is asleep. While this treatment method is highly effective, patients often don’t use it properly or at all, because it requires them to wear an uncomfortable mask throughout the night.

Another alternative is oral appliance therapy, in which the patient wears a device that feels similar to an athletic mouthguard. That custom-designed appliance keeps either the patient’s tongue or jaw in a forward position to reduce the likelihood of airway obstruction. Because oral appliance therapy is more comfortable and convenient, patients are much more likely to comply and get the full benefits from it.