Most of us don’t have a perfect sleep schedule, and we all know how it feels to have a “less than perfect” night’s sleep. However, if you’re regularly experiencing trouble sleeping, it may be time to switch up your nighttime routine.

One of the most common reasons why people have trouble sleeping is because of a snoring partner. According to the American Sleep Association, “About half of all adults in the United States snore at least occasionally.” Sleeping with a partner who snores heavily, or has a condition such as sleep apnea, could be having a detrimental effect on the quality of your sleep. In contrast, choosing to sleep alone can help you get more uninterrupted sleep in a peaceful, quiet environment. 

Sleep Disorders Impact Both Partners’ Quality of Sleep

Snoring is relatively common, and it isn’t always a reason for concern. Still, symptoms like snoring or tossing and turning at night could be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder. 

The term sleep disorder refers to “problems with the quality, timing, and amount of sleep, which result in daytime distress and impairment in functioning.” Insomnia is the most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder, affecting about 10-30% of adults in the US. Typically, people with insomnia experience a feeling of restlessness and have difficulty getting comfortable or falling asleep. These issues often lead to the person constantly moving around, changing positions, and getting up throughout the night. 

If you or your partner has insomnia, sleeping alone could lead to a better quality of sleep for you both. Not having to share the covers and finally being able to sprawl out like a starfish in bed are just some of the more obvious benefits of sleeping solo. However, in some cases, choosing to sleep alone has also helped couples eliminate a major source of stress in their relationship. 

Does My Partner Have Sleep Apnea? 

Although light snoring is normal, particularly loud snoring could indicate a more serious condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleeping disorder that causes a person’s breathing to stop and start while they are sleeping. If you notice the following symptoms in your partner’s sleeping habits, they may have sleep apnea: 

• Gasping, snorting, or choking noises
• Waking up frequently 
• Snoring loudly
• Breathing starting and stopping
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Frequent headaches, especially when waking up

How Advanced Homecare Can Help You

If you or your partner is having trouble sleeping, but you’re not sure if it’s sleep apnea, contact us today! Our team is committed to understanding each patient’s specific needs and providing the very best sleep apnea treatments.