Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Notes for a Partner

Adjusting to changes

Your partner’s treatment may involve making changes to certain life habits. You can help your partner make and stick with these changes. For example:

• Your partner may be asked to lose weight and change eating habits. Consider changing your eating habits and supporting and even joining in your partner’s exercise program.

• Be supportive if your partner begins using the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. They may feel self-conscious at first. Remind your partner to expect adjustments to CPAP before it feels just right. Current CPAP machines are much quieter than the originals, but you may still be bothered by its sound. To manage this, consider these tips:

  • Ask your partner to request a longer cord so the machine can be kept in a closet or in another remote area.

  • Create a soundproof box for the machine.

  • Go to sleep before your partner.

  • Sleep with earplugs.

  • Sleep in a separate room.

• Consider joining a snoring and sleep apnea support group.

Go along to see the health care provider

You can give the health care provider the best account of your partner’s nighttime breathing and snoring patterns. Try to go along to your partner's appointments. If you can’t go, write questions or notes for your partner to share and discuss with the provider. Describe your partner’s snoring and sleep breathing patterns in detail.

Tips if your partner snores

Until treatment takes care of your partner’s snoring:

• Try to go to bed first. It may help if you’re already asleep when your partner starts to snore.

• Sleep in a separate room.

• Wear earplugs to bed.

• Try white noise. A white noise machine provides neutral sound and muffles snoring.

• Change their position. Gently roll them to their side. Lying on their back often causes more snoring.

• Encourage the use of extra pillows to raise their head. Change pillows at least every 6 months to avoid allergens.