Snoring: What remedies work?

What do you call a dinosaur that keeps the other dinosaurs awake? A Bronto-Snore-us!

Snoring has long been the butt of jokes, but it’s no laughing matter.  

How well you sleep will impact every aspect of your health and daily life.  Sleeping well helps you look, feel and perform your best so snoring can be harmful to your health and well-being.

Snoring occurs during sleep, when the soft tissue in your airway vibrates as you breathe. Snoring is extremely common in men, but also occurs frequently in women, especially during pregnancy and after menopause. Obesity, nasal obstruction, alcohol and smoking all increase the risk of snoring.  Sometimes, snoring serves as a warning sign for sleep disorders like Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  It can also take a toll on your significant other with the stress it can put on a relationship.  

Not to worry though, even if snoring is due to a case of seasonal allergies or nasal congestion, there are treatments that can improve those conditions.

  • Change Position – Try sleeping in a new position.  There is greater pressure on your throat when you’re lying on your back so shifting to your side will help to reduce or get rid of your snore.
  • Use a Humidifier – If your snoring is due to nasal congestion or allergies, dry air may be exacerbating the problem.  Sleeping with a humidifier certainly won’t hurt, it may even help reduce your snoring.  Be careful using this method alone, however; a humidifier will usually just reduce the symptoms rather than providing a cure.  
  • Open Nasal Passages – There are several methods to do this.  The most widely known method is to use Nasal Strips.  These are pads with a wire inside and an adhesive on one side that are designed to physically hold your nasal passages in a more open position.  
  • Oral Appliance Therapy – An oral appliance is a device worn in the mouth only during sleep. It fits like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. A custom-fit oral sleep appliance is an effective treatment that prevents the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position.  In order to get an appliance you must see a qualified dentist like Dr. Stanislav and Dr. Dye.  

For more information and sleep solutions make an appointment at the office of Dr. Stanislav by calling 931.648.0232.  We can help you make a plan!   At the office of Dr. Stanislav, we strive to make you feel welcome from the first phone call and your needs will continue to remain our top priority at every office visit. We look forward to meeting you!

Sources:

Web MD
Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
Dental Sleep IQ
Huffington Post Healthy Living