Quick Fixes For Snoring

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

19 Sep 2007 06:54 PM

If you share a bed with a spouse who snores, you are losing precious sleep! In fact, by your fiftieth wedding anniversary, you've lost around four years worth of sleep. Amazing! That breaks down to about one year of sleep lost for every twelve years you share a bed with a snorer.

When you aren't getting enough risk, you're at risk for all kinds of things. Lack of sleep contributes to mood problems and memory problems. If you aren't resting enough, you may be less alert during the day -- that makes you more likely to be involved in car accidents and on-the-job accidents.

Try these quick fixes if your spouse saws logs all night:

• Switch sleeping positions. Have the snorer sleep on his stomach or on his side, rather than on his back. That can help open the airway more.
• Add an extra pillow. The snorer can prop up a little higher with an extra pillow, which can also help open up the airway.
• Elevate the head of the bed. A little lift at the head of the bed can work the same as that extra pillow to open up airways and cut back on snoring.

Snoring can be a sign of a more serious problem, like sleep apnea. You may want to talk to a doctor about the constant symphony of snores.

If the snoring is innocent -- or at least not a sign of more serious health problems -- your only recourse may be protecting your ears. Try a pair of earplugs at night to help drown out the snores. It may help to get some other white noise going in the bedroom, like soft music, a wave machine, or a book on tape. These can help cover up the sound of snoring and give you a more peaceful night's sleep.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Tristi Pinkston (10839) 19 Sep 2007 11:27 PM

I believe that about losing four hours of sleep! We've been married for 12 years and I can see the truth . . .