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• A recent study of over 4,900 snoring patients confirms that snoring is no laughing matter when it comes to sex and divorce. Snoring puts tremendous stress on relationships.
• An estimated 45% of the population snores at least occasionally. Over 80% of snoring couples sleep in separate bedrooms. Sleep deprivation due to a partner's snoring makes it a challenge to be cheerful in the morning and can have a negative effect on the rest of their day.
• Snoring can have negative effects on the sexual function of the snorer as well. The findings confirm another study that a significant number of heavy snorers have reduced sexual drive. Over 50% of snoring men also experience erectile dysfunction.
• The average volume of snorers is 60 decibels, about as loud as normal speech, but really loud snorers can reach 80 decibels, the level of a loud yell. And record-setters have registered at 90 decibels.
• Snoring occurs because of vibration of tissues in the throat or behind the tongue. They include an excessively large tongue, tonsils or soft palate and elongated uvula -- the punching bag in the back of your throat. When these tissues block your windpipe during sleep, you stop breathing -- a serious condition known as sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the major signs of this deadly disorder. This interrupted breathing causes the concentration of oxygen in your body to drop, leading to fatigue, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease and sexual dysfunction.
• "Snoring is the loudest silent killer" ....... National Sleep Foundation
• Snoring has many other causes: nasal blockages, deviated septum, congestion from colds or allergies, even acid reflux. A good evaluation of the upper airway anatomy can identify the root cause of snoring, and treating the underlying problem often helps reduce snoring.
• If your partner is simply a regular snorer, here are a few more tips to improve your sleep and relationship:
  • If your snorer is overweight, get him (or her) to lose it. Weight is a big factor in snoring.
  • Slip your snorer a virgin margarita -- or other alcohol-free drink -- for that nightcap. Alcohol causes snoring because it relaxes throat muscles.
  • Nudge your snorer, to make him roll over, not sleep on his back. There's less snoring with side sleeping.
  • Make this little "reminder": get an old tube sock, put three tennis balls in it, and attach it to the back of his nightshirt. When he rolls on his back, that little cue will make him roll back on his side.
  • Get earplugs -- seriously, they work wonders.
  • Try nasal strips -- they work, especially for people with narrow noses.
  • Go to bed before your snorer, so you're in deeper sleep stages when he turns in.
  • Invest in a white-noise generator to drown out the sound.
• Forget the "snore sprays" that are being marketed. These sprays coat throat or paralyze muscles so they can't vibrate. However, that can be dangerous -- especially if it interacts badly with medication you're taking, or if you have sleep apnea and didn't know it. I caution people against using those sprays.

Have a loving relationship with your snorer and sleep peacefully.