Couples & Sleep: Separated by Snoring?

On Sunday the Sleep Education blog reported that one sleep researcher recommends separate sleep arrangements for some couples.

What about women who sleep with a snoring bed partner? Will they sleep better by sleeping alone?

A new study from France provides mixed results. It involved 23 women who complained that they were having sleep problems because of their bed partner’s snoring.

Each woman’s sleep was monitored for one night as she slept together with her bed partner; then the women were monitored on a separate night as they slept alone.

Results suggest that sleep quality was decreased in females sleeping with male snorers; they spent a higher percentage of their sleep time in one of the stages of “light” sleep. Their sleep also was more fragmented; they had a higher “awakening index” when sleeping with their bed partner.

But the study also found no substantial improvement in objective sleep quality when the women slept alone. Their total sleep time, sleep efficiency and arousal index were about the same as when they slept with their bed partner; they also spent a similar percentage of time in the stages of “deep” sleep and REM sleep.

The study even found that some of the women had sleep problems of their own. Six of the women snored and one had obstructive sleep apnea.

The AASM reports that snoring is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Most often this kind of snoring is loud and frequent. It tends to be followed by silent pauses in breathing. These pauses may end with a loud choking or snorting sound.

Sleep apnea is a serious health problem that requires medical attention. CPAP and oral appliances are the two most common treatments.

So what is the best thing to do when you have a snoring spouse or bed partner? You should contact an AASM-accredited sleep center near you for help.

Learn more about snoring solutions.