QUIET ON THE HOME FRONT
Putting snoring to bed
May 13, 2008
Barbara Turnbull
LIVING REPORTER
When your partner's 40 winks come in at 400 decibels, what can you do? Plenty, say sleep experts.
Sixty-six per cent of Canadians say they have a partner who snores an average of four and a half nights a week, causing them to lose up to three hours of sleep each night.
Nearly half of those report feeling sleepy up to five hours a week because of restless slumber the night before, affecting health, mood and productivity, along with reponsibilities and intimacy at home.
That means a snoring spouse causes, on average, 687 hours of lost sleep each year – the equivalent of nearly a month of quality slumber. A survey by Breathe Right nasal strips (and GlaxoSmithKline, conducted by Leger marketing) shows the relationship problems that result: 46 per cent kick each other in bed, 20 per cent lose interest in sex, 25 per cent sleep in separate beds.
Colleen Balzia has been losing sleep for 13 years listening to husband, Mark, saw logs. Four years ago the problem worsened considerably, often waking the couple's two sons. Her husband refused to believe it was that bad – until she videotaped him sleeping. Now, she says, he gets it.
Snoring is caused by an obstruction to airflow somewhere along the pipe from the nose to the lungs. In youngsters, it's usually resolved by removing tonsils and adenoids; older people often snore from decreasing tone in throat muscles, says Dr. Leonard Makerewich, of the Niagara Snoring and Sleep Clinic. Sleep apnea, a leading cause of daytime sleepiness, is a common disorder that causes pauses in breathing and is almost always accompanied by snoring.
Dr. Adam Moscovitch, a sleep expert opening two branches of the Canadian Sleep Institute in the GTA, has launched a public education campaign to help Canadians improve their sleep quality.
"Most snorers aren't even aware that they snore, unless their bed partner points it out to them. Even if they are aware, people tend to minimize it," he says. "Many Canadians view snoring as just a nuisance, when it is in fact something to be taken seriously."
Sarah Vella understands. The technology communications specialist tolerated her partner's nocturnal noise levels for years, then finally had to find a solution. "It was at the point of causing bickering," she says of the five-year relationship with teacher Antony Pallotta.
After doing some research, the couple tackled the issue themselves. He lost 30 pounds, stopped sleeping on his back and began using the Breathe Right strips. "Sometimes he puts on two a night," she says.
The Balzia family plays musical beds each night, so everyone gets some zzzs. But dad may end up in the basement alone if his snoring doesn't improve, says his wife.
As it is, we sleep about 20 per cent less than folks did at the turn of the last century. Adding significant noise that prevents one from reaching deep sleep stages affects daytime functioning, Moscovitch says.
"The medical message over the past few years has been that snoring ...can have a huge impact on the quality of sleep of the bed partner," he says, noting they have heard snoring in the lab up to 90 decibels. "That's a jackhammer breaking up asphalt outside your window."
Toronto Star
Featured Sponsored Listings