Help for Snoring
May 4th, 2010
People who suffer from snoring can find both natural and medical remedies for snoring. With snoring being a large problem for both men and women, many people are looking for a solution. Snoring seems almost natural, with even babies and children snoring on occasion. Anyone with pets knows that even dogs can snore, and sometimes louder than a person. But what happens when the snoring becomes a problem and starts causing a lack of sleep? Back in the day men and women would have separate bedrooms because one partner snored too loud for the other to sleep. But with most current husbands and wives not wanting to sleep in separate rooms, what is the solution for snoring?
In order to determine how to solve the problem of snoring, it’s important to find out the cause of the snoring. Some common methods for trying to reduce or negate snoring include sleeping on one side, losing weight, elevating the head of the bed, and clearing the nose before bed. Sometimes these simple solutions work, but many times other remedies are needed for relief.
Causes of Snoring
Floppy tissue and a narrow airway is often the cause of snoring in most people. When the airway narrows while sleeping, the tissue located in the nose and throat vibrates and causes the snoring sound. Basically the smooth flow of air is interrupted and results in snoring. Snoring can also be caused by the position of the tongue during sleep. If the tongue blocks the smooth flow of air, snoring will result.
A person’s sleep and snoring position can often pinpoint the cause of the snoring. If a person snores with their mouth open, it’s often a problem with floppy tissues. A person who snores with their mouth shut often has a problem with the position of their tongue. Back snorers, people who only snore when on their back, have a mild case of snoring and can rectify it by changing their sleep position. Other causes of snoring include age, being male, smoking, heredity, allergies, and medications. Since snoring is often caused by tissue and not the nose, true remedies for snoring may involve more complicated procedures.
Remedies for Snoring
Nasal strips are a common over-the-counter cure for snoring. These strips are placed over the nose at bedtime and are said to help clear congestion and reduce snoring. These strips would be a successful cure if snoring only came from the nose and was not caused by loose tissue or the tongue.
Other solutions include a breathing machine, dental fixtures, or surgery. The breathing machine, called a CPAP machine, involves wearing a mask at bedtime so that pressurized air can be blown into the airways, helping to clear the air passages and stop the snoring. Dental fixtures help people who snore because of tongue position. This mouth guard like device keeps the jaw lowered and the tongue forward.
For severe snorers, more intense remedies for snoring include removal of the tonsils and adenoids, lasering off excess loose tissue in the nose and throat, or restructuring the jaw. Palatal implantation is a newer procedure for snoring where small plastic implants are inserted into the soft palate. The scar tissue that forms around the implants helps cease the vibrations caused by snoring. Most people won’t need surgery to help their snoring, but those with severe cases do have surgical options available.