Snoring Treatment
Ways of Snoring Treatments
Almost all available treatments for snoring would be around clearing the breathing passage from the blockage.
This is one of the main reasons why people are recommended to start losing weight (which helps to stop fat from pressing), quit smoking (as it weakens the throat) and sleep on either side (that can prevent tongue to block the throat).
There are also other treatments available, starting from over-the-counter medicines such as nasal sprays, strips or clips for nose, as well as anti-snore pillows and clothing.
However, snoring can be a sign of a potentially serious medical condition, therefore people that snore should always seek professional medical advise to make sure that snoring is not a symptom of some kind of disorder.
Non-Surgical Snoring Treatments
There are five main categories of treatment that can relieve snoring:
Behavioural Changes: these are the simplest to identify, but the hardest to accomplish. For example, losing weight to reduce snoring is an excellent idea that will work, however to lose weight isn’t always that easy to achieve.
These changes will also include things like watching out for the right sleeping positions, avoiding drinking alcohol, quit smoking and similar things. All of the above sounds easy, but not so easy to do, however very effective.
Dental Devices: As mentioned earlier, snoring happens when the flow of air goes through a narrow passage in the throat. Some of the problems are caused by the tongue falling back when a person is asleep.
There are dental devices that can hold the jaw forward, which helps to hold the tongue forward. These devices should be made by a dentist to ensure correct fit, and it is known that in up to 90% of cases snoring will get improved.
Nasal Medications and Devices: These can help people with narrow nasal passages. They include breath-rite stops, nasal sprays that can help in case of swelling caused by allergies. It helps to clean the nasal lining that are in the nose. There are also nasal steroid sprays and decongestants that can be very helpful as they decrease inflammation in the nasal passages. This method is very helpful in case when snoring is caused by colds or upper respiratory infections that usually cause the airways passage swelling.
Nasal CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure is a commonly used device when a person is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. It provides a constant air pressure to prevent narrowing of airway. The device is proven to relieve symptoms of apnea.
Over the Counter Products: There are lots of products that are available to help to relieve snoring, however not all of them are studied scientifically. They may help some people, so it might be worth trying some of them.
Surgical Options for Snoring
When it comes to snoring treatment, surgery is designed to minimise obstruction on the area that is causing snoring. Often there will be more than just one area involved, so surgery will be needed for all of the affected areas, otherwise it will not cure snoring.
The options of surgical treatment would be focused on palate, the nasal passages, uvula and tongue, and of course the majority of these treatments will be done at a doctor’s office. It is also advised to do a sleep study to make sure that snoring is not caused by sleep apnea. because if it is, then there are some other treatments that can be prescribed before undergoing surgery.
There are a few surgical options for the treatment of snoring that include:
- Nasal surgery
- Radio-frequency energy, that shrinks the tubinates and opens nasal passage
- Deviated septum, that can be improved
- Nasal polyps, that need to be removed, as they might cause nasal obstruction
- Oral surgery that will involve palate and the uvula
- Palate implants and some other
Surgery is usually very successful when it comes to reducing snoring. There are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration, so make sure that you see a doctor, if you or your bed partner snores, to make sure that you receive the best treatment for you.
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