ANCSLEEP BLOG

Nothing can disrupt your sleep like loud snoring. The worst is when the snoring isn't even coming from you! If you have a partner who snores very loudly, this can be a source of conflict for both you. They feel like you're nagging them and you feel like you can't get any sleep because of the one man band you sleep next to.

It's normal to feel frustrated by a snoring partner. Getting low-quality sleep that is often interrupted by your partner's loud noises can cause a lot of irritation, mostly due to the fact that you are sleep-deprived. Regardless how long you think you slept, having low quality sleep due to a snoring partner is the same as getting a couple hours of quality sleep - it's just not enough. But, before you spazz on your partner or get ready to call it quits, here is a little more context on your partner's snoring and what they can do about it.  

Normal vs. Socially Unacceptable Snoring

Does your partner wear earplugs to ward off the blows of your nightly, nasally inhales? Is your snoring the rule, not the exception? Is your snoring a common joke among family members?

Importance of Just Snoring vs Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Is your or your partner’s snoring the primer for family jokes? Does your loud snoring require come with an “ear plugs required” caveat for your partner? Is your snoring the rule, not the exception?

Chronic, loud snoring may be a bigger personal problem than just a nuisance for other people who have to listen to your nightly nasally noises. In other words, while their sleep might be disrupted, your snoring might be caused by a medical condition called sleep apnea, which can have significant health consequences. Or, maybe you are just a loud, chronic snorer.

Knowing the difference and telltale signs between loud snoring and sleep apnea is important, as identifying the potential problem underlying your chronic snoring is the first step to getting healthy again.

What is the Socially Unacceptable Snoring Threshold (Criteria)

Snoring can be a common sleep behavior, but did you know that there is actually a criteria to determine if your snoring is problematic? There’s normal or periodic snoring, and then there’s the socially unacceptable snoring (SUS) that you might describe as extreme, over the top or embarrassing snoring. Socially unacceptable snoring describes a person whose snoring may fit many or all of the following:

• Is the source of many family jokes
• Comes with an “earplugs required” caveat for their bed partner
• Will make it hard for people sleeping in adjacent rooms to sleep
• The loudness is the rule, not the exception
• Happens most nights (or every night)

While socially unacceptable snoring might be cause for jokes among friends and family and/or frustration for bed partners, it may actually be a bigger personal problem for the snorer. While bed partner’s sleep might be disrupted, SUS is a primary symptom of a serious medical condition and sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can have significant health consequences.

Knowing the differences and telltale signs between socially unacceptable snoring and SUS caused by sleep apnea are important. Identifying the potential problem underlying your chronic snoring is the first step to getting healthy again.

Underlying Causes of Snoring

There are many things that can cause snoring. If you are able, discovering why you snore is the best way to stop snoring or at least alleviate it. Some common causes of snoring are:

The Socially Unacceptable Snoring Threshold

What’s the difference between “normal snoring” and SUS (socially unacceptable snoring)? Nearly everyone snores from time to time. Many of us snore with regularity, also called chronic snoring. Chronic snoring isn’t necessarily a problem either – snoring in and of itself is not harmful.

When Snoring is a Personal Problem, Not Just a Nuisance

Is your or your partner’s snoring the primer for family jokes? Does your loud snoring require come with an “earplugs required” caveat for your partner? Is your snoring the rule, not the exception?

When Snoring Becomes a Problem

Does your partner wear earplugs to ward off the blows of your nightly, nasally inhales? Is your snoring the rule, not the exception? Is your snoring a common joke among family members?

You've gotten pokes and prods in the rib from your partner in the middle of the night to wake you from sleep. He or she rolls over and groggily moans, "You're snoring again." After months of this repeated ritual, you begin to wonder: Do I have sleep apnea?

Snoring is a Common Problem

“Honey, stop snoring,” says the wife as she gives her husband a good shove in the middle of the night.

The husband, indignant, rolls over and retorts, “I wasn’t snoring.”

This is a commonly played out bedroom scene that most couples have experienced in the course of their relationship. Some facts about snoring: