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Chapter 11: Coping as a snorers partner


As we have already covered at length and in detail, your main problem as the partner of a chronic snorer is a total lack of sleep and all of the associated problems that sleep deprivation can bring.

The medical and physiological problems wrought by sleep deprivation are very real, so if for just one moment you think that sleep deprivation is a real problem for you, get to see your doctor or medical practitioner as soon as possible.

However, do be wary of the advice that they might give you and, in particular, try to avoid using sleeping pills or tranquilizers as a way of getting a good nights sleep, even if your medical adviser is all for the idea and more than happy to prescribe them.

I would probably be telling you nothing that you do not already know if I suggested that taking sleeping pills and tranquilizers could simply be a case of getting rid of one problem – snoring – whilst taking on a far bigger and potentially way more dangerous problem with sleeping pills and tranquilizers.

But if you cannot get any sleep, you need to do something, that much is clear.

Of course, if you live in a house or apartment where there is a spare bedroom, you could always move in there but, as we have already seen, this is not a great step as far as keeping your relationship happy and stable is concerned!

And, think about it this way. If you have already moved out of the previously shared bedroom, that is hardly likely to encourage them to make the necessary effort to curb their snoring, is it? After all, what’s the point (they think), you have already moved out and the relationships is already on a rocky road to who-knows–where!

There are, however, two steps that you can take to make sure that things work out given a little time and a degree of patience and tolerance on the part of both parties concerned.

Step one is to encourage your partner to do whatever is necessary to reduce their tendency to snore. Whether that is losing weight, cutting down on the demon drink, wearing Chin-Up Strips in bed or whatever, it does not matter as long as you can help and encourage them to do what is needed.

And the second thing is, get yourself a copious supply of earplugs!

For years, earplugs have been the best friends of night shift workers everywhere, because they are designed to do one job only, and that is, shut out the noise. Of course, they are not specifically designed to shut out the noise of a partner who sounds like he is landing a Jumbo Jet in the bedroom every twenty seconds or so, but if you have never tried earplugs before, you might be surprised how effective they can be.

Plus, even if you have tried them before, they are now more effective than they were even just a handful of years ago. Add to that the fact that, this time, you know that with your help and encouragement, your partner is going to win the battle, so it is only a temporary situation anyway!

Section summary

• Being the partner of a snorer is not easy, and sleep is probably something you do not get a great deal of, so do visit our Doctor.

• However, if at all possible, do not resort to sleeping pills or tranquilizers.

• Instead, help your partner to cure their snoring problem naturally and invest in a good supply of earplugs.