London: Snoring is common and is often dismissed as a minor irritation, but repeated noise and sleep disruption can affect the person sharing the bed. Experts say disrupted sleep may contribute to problems with focus, memory, mood and stress regulation.
Snoring occurs when soft tissues in the upper airway vibrate during sleep. About 40 percent of adults in the UK snore, with the condition affecting more men than women, according to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA). A US survey by the Sleep Foundation found that 75 percent of people with a snoring partner said their sleep had been affected.
During the night, people move through different stages of sleep in cycles that typically repeat about every 90 minutes. The deeper stages are important for physical recovery, while rapid eye movement (REM) sleep plays a role in processing experiences and supporting memory, learning, and creativity.
Frequent disruptions caused by a snoring partner can reduce the amount of uninterrupted restorative sleep. This may leave someone feeling tired despite spending enough time in bed.
Sleep also supports the brain’s ability to process and store information. Fragmented sleep can interfere with these processes and may affect concentration and memory. Poor sleep can also influence hormone regulation, potentially affecting energy and motivation.
Sleep plays an important role in regulating the brain systems involved in stress and emotional responses. When sleep is repeatedly disrupted, people may become more irritable and less able to cope with everyday stress. Persistent sleep disruption can also contribute to relationship difficulties and may reduce intimacy, particularly when couples choose to sleep in separate rooms.
Experts say it is important to determine whether the noise is simple snoring or a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during sleep and can require medical treatment.
Warning signs include pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep, frequent waking and morning headaches. Depending on the condition, treatment may include a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or, in some cases, surgery.
For simple snoring, lifestyle changes may help. These can include losing weight where appropriate, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol before bedtime and changing sleeping position, particularly sleeping on the side instead of the back.
A GP can assess persistent snoring and recommend further treatment or refer the person to a specialist. If nasal obstruction or allergies are contributing to the problem, these may be treated. In some cases, an expert may recommend a custom mouthguard designed to move the lower jaw slightly forward and help keep the airway open.
Experts stress that persistent snoring should not simply be treated by making the sound quieter. Identifying any underlying sleep-related breathing disorder is important, as appropriate treatment can improve sleep quality and overall wellbeing for both partners.
Snoring is common and is often dismissed as a minor irritation, but repeated noise and sleep disruption can affect the person sharing the bed. Experts say disrupted sleep may contribute to problems with focus, memory, mood and stress regulation.
Snoring occurs when soft tissues in the upper airway vibrate during sleep. About 40 percent of adults in the UK snore, with the condition affecting more men than women, according to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA). A US survey by the Sleep Foundation found that 75 percent of people with a snoring partner said their sleep had been affected.
During the night, people move through different stages of sleep in cycles that typically repeat about every 90 minutes. The deeper stages are important for physical recovery, while rapid eye movement (REM) sleep plays a role in processing experiences and supporting memory, learning, and creativity.
Frequent disruptions caused by a snoring partner can reduce the amount of uninterrupted restorative sleep. This may leave someone feeling tired despite spending enough time in bed.
Sleep also supports the brain’s ability to process and store information. Fragmented sleep can interfere with these processes and may affect concentration and memory. Poor sleep can also influence hormone regulation, potentially affecting energy and motivation.
Sleep plays an important role in regulating the brain systems involved in stress and emotional responses. When sleep is repeatedly disrupted, people may become more irritable and less able to cope with everyday stress. Persistent sleep disruption can also contribute to relationship difficulties and may reduce intimacy, particularly when couples choose to sleep in separate rooms.
Experts say it is important to determine whether the noise is simple snoring or a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during sleep and can require medical treatment.
Warning signs include pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep, frequent waking and morning headaches. Depending on the condition, treatment may include a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or, in some cases, surgery.
For simple snoring, lifestyle changes may help. These can include losing weight where appropriate, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol before bedtime, and changing sleeping position, particularly sleeping on the side instead of the back.
A GP can assess persistent snoring and recommend further treatment or refer the person to a specialist. If nasal obstruction or allergies are contributing to the problem, these may be treated. In some cases, an expert may recommend a custom mouthguard designed to move the lower jaw slightly forward and help keep the airway open.
Experts stress that persistent snoring should not simply be treated by making the sound quieter. Identifying any underlying sleep-related breathing disorder is important, as appropriate treatment can improve sleep quality and overall wellbeing for both partners.
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