HOUSTON – There are many things that come between couples, and snoring is a big one.
Lots of people struggle to sleep with partners who snore, and some say they would even consider breaking up with a partner who kept them awake snoring. Now, more people are seeking treatment to save not only their relationships, but also their lives.
Tara Coghlan loves her boyfriend Alex Leming. But she said she could do without his snoring.
"Sometimes it'll just be, you know, little snores and then other times it's just one big honking snore," Coghlan said. "I've tried ear plugs, little nice love taps, those don't seem to work."
On a scale of one to 10, Leming rates his snoring at a seven. His girlfriend gives it an enthusiastic "10!" So, in the interest of domestic harmony, the couple wound up at a clinic devoted entirely to snoring and it's possible, more dangerous cause, sleep apnea.
Dr. Craig Schwimmer said he got the idea for the clinic while socializing.
"We'd go to dinner parties and when I would introduce myself as a snoring expert, invariably their response was, 'Could you see my husband tomorrow?" Schwimmer said.
For patients like Leming, Schwimmer performs two procedures. First, he injects tiny threads into the soft palate which cuts down on the vibrations that cause snoring. Second, he uses a radio frequency wave to melt tissue in the nose so breaking becomes easier.
Aside from achieving bed partner satisfaction rates of up to 90 percent, Schwimmer said the procedure can be a life saver for people with sleep apnea.
Patient Mike Natarus had the procedure done after learning that sleep apnea put him at risk for diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
"There were times I would doze on the way home in the car," Natarus said. "[Now] I'm sleeping better, deeper, and getting up… I'm more refreshed."
Patients said the pain is minimal and the procedure takes just a few minutes. However, it costs about $3,900 and it is not covered by insurance.