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Snore no more

Ever tried sleeping listening to jarring, full-throated opera in your ears all night? Maybe not. But this is what many who share their bed with snoring partners have to endure. “Snoring, though a topic that evokes amusement should not be taken light-heartedly for it can create cracks in a marriage,” feels A. V. Joseph, “If not discussed and solved the irritation towards the spouse caused by disturbed, sleepless nights can trigger other differences which can even lead to separations and divorces.”

Shylaja Vasan, a homemaker agrees. She adds, “almost all people snore, but it becomes a problem when snoring becomes loud enough to cause sleepless nights. Marriages especially where tolerance levels are low among couples can end in divorce. Besides snoring can also be a public nuisance during overnight train journeys when a passenger’s loud snoring keeps his co-travellers awake.”

For those whom life is hell due to sleeping next to a human motor all night, here are a few tips to make your nights bearable. However, before all this ensure through a medical check-up that snoring is not a symptom of any other diseases. If your partner drinks at bedtime put your foot down for it has been observed that alcohol increases snoring. Sedatives too intensify the volume and pitch of snoring. If your spouse is a heavy smoker deal with it firmly for smoking has been found to be another crucial cause to trigger snoring.

Overweight people not only snore more accompanied by snorts and grunts as the fat deposits especially around the neck region obstruct the free passage of air from the nostrils. So if your spouse is obese control his/her eating.

Dr. T. K. Anoop, an ENT elaborates, “snoring occurs due to blocked air passages. Fat people snore more due to the flabbiness of the soft tissues in the upper airway. Because there is no rigid structure the airway collapses and gets obstructed resulting in deep snoring. Alcohol, sedatives and smoking are great risk factors. Alcohol and sedatives over relaxes the palatal muscles inducing loud snoring spells. Smoking leads to inflammation and swelling of the airway narrowing the passage causing heavy snoring.”

Meanwhile there are some practical and quick methods that have come in handy for many sufferers. People snore more lying on their backs. Many people have mastered what is known as the elbow technique- this moves snorers on their sides. But if your partner’s aim is still to outwit you by rolling back immediately slip a firm cushion or pillow behind to prevent it.

Try some of the contoured pillows available in the market that supports your head and neck for the free flow of air, whatever position you sleep in. They have worked for many and can work for your partner too. If everything else fails try a pair of earplugs. There are assorted ones -soft and fluffy that sells for those who long for undisturbed silence. You would wake up fresh and energetic . And above all you will not harbour ill feelings towards your spouse.

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