Easy and Effective Way to stop Snoring

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By Trsmd

Introduction

Snoring is one symptom of a group of disorders known as sleep disordered breathing. It occurs when the soft palate, uvula, tongue, tonsils, and/or muscles in the back of the throat rub against each other and generate a vibrating sound during sleep. Twenty percent of all adults are chronic snorers, and 45% of normal adults snore occasionally. As people grow older, their chance of snoring increases. Approximately half of all individuals over 60 snore regularly.

Impacts

Snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to both the snorer and those who hear him/her, as well as knock-on effects: daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus, decreased libido. It has also been suggested that it can cause significant psychological and social damage to sufferers.

While snoring may popularly be seen in some circles as a minor affliction, snorers can suffer severe impairment of lifestyle. The between-subjects trial by Armstrong et al. discovered a statistically significant improvement in marital relations after snoring was surgically corrected.


Treatment

Almost all treatment for snoring revolves around clearing the blockage in the breathing passage. This is the reason snorers are advised to lose weight (to stop fat from pressing on the throat), to stop smoking (smoking weakens and clogs the throat), and to sleep on their side (to prevent the tongue from blocking the throat).

Other forms of treatment are also available:

Dental appliances

Specially made dental appliances such as a mandibular advancement splint, which advance the lower jaw slightly, and thereby pull the tongue forward, are a preferred mode of treatment for social snoring. Typically, a dentist specializing in sleep apnea dentistry is consulted. Such appliances have been proven to be effective in reducing snoring and sleep apnea, however side effects include the possibility that a patient's bite could be altered. Typical costs for such appliances would be between USD1000 to USD3000.

Positive airway pressure

A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is often used to control sleep apnea and the snoring associated with it. To keep the airway open, a shoebox-sized device pumps a controlled stream of air through a flexible hose to a mask worn over the nose, mouth, or both.

Surgery

Surgery is also available to correct social snoring. Some procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty attempt to widen the airway by removing tissues in the back of the throat including the uvula and pharynx. These surgeries are quite invasive, and there are risks of adverse side effects. The most dangerous risk is that enough scar tissue could form within the throat as a result of the incisions to make the airway more narrow than it was prior to surgery, diminishing the airspace in the velopharnyx.


Comments

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shailini profile image

shailini  says:
5 months ago

very well researched and presented. thumbs up

eswar profile image

eswar  says:
5 months ago

It's nice, thanks, and there is one more tip use cotton when you got somebody snorring;-)

Decrescendo profile image

Decrescendo  says:
5 months ago

Thanks for the tip about this health issue. Really Appreciate it.

Aymless profile image

Aymless  says:
5 months ago

The breathe easy nose strips work well. It also is a non-medicated way to clear your sinus at night.

Kat07 profile image

Kat07  says:
5 months ago

Don't forget about sleeping in an elevated position! Wedge pillows can work well for snoring problems. Great hub!!!

Trsmd profile image

Trsmd  says:
5 months ago

Thanks everybody for posting additional useful information about avoiding snoring...

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
5 months ago

I used to live with my girlfriend and snored every night..

I now live alone and do not snore!! Well, lets just say noone hears it and tells me, .until i heard myself snoring!! using a dictaphone on the "voice activation setting", which only records when sound is heard!!

colin mcdermott profile image

colin mcdermott  says:
5 months ago

thanks!

Trsmd profile image

Trsmd  says:
4 months ago

Thanks colin mcdermott for your comments..

Trsmd profile image

Trsmd  says:
3 months ago

Thanks compu-samrt..

for giving a new dimension.. If youw on't stay with your girl friend, You can avoid Snoring?

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