If you are that person in the group who snores that too loudly, we understand how embarrassing it might be for you to travel with friends and family. Even your partner budges you constantly for your snoring habit, but you are helpless. Do you know How to fix snoring?
But you might not be aware that snoring is a health problem that needs medical treatment. You should consult a doctor who will examine your signs and symptoms and do a physical examination and review your medical history.
What is snoring?
When you breathe in your sleep, if the air flows through your throat, then snoring occurs. This causes a vibration in the relaxed tissues of the throat. This vibration causes funny, loud, and irritating sounds.
How to fix snoring in treatment
There are many factors associated with snoring, and one should take all necessary precautions to treat snoring. These steps include home remedies as well as medical treatment.
Sleeping position
Sleeping on the back causes the tongue to move back to the throat. This can cause blockage of airflow. Try to sleep in the side position.
Lose weight
Obesity or overweight is a big reason for sleeping disorders and snoring. People who are overweight have extra tissue in their throats that causes snoring.
Sleep deprivation
Lack of good sleep of 7-9 hours is also a huge cause. Less sleeping causes the throat muscles to relax, which in turn obstructs airway passage.
Raised head position
When the head is elevated while sleeping, it opens up the airway. Use pillows or bed risers.
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Alcohol and smoking cause disrupted sleeping patterns. They are associated with shorter amounts of REM sleep. It’s in this stage of sleep where memory formation and dreaming occur. Smoking also increases your risk of OSA or worsens the condition.
Avoid sedatives
Like alcohol, sedatives also cause muscles such as your throat muscles to relax. Avoid them before going to bed.
Indulge in nasal strips or nasal dilator
Nasal strips help increase the space in the nasal passage. This helps in breathing easier while you sleep. External nasal dilators also help as they can decrease airflow resistance, making breathing easier.
Treatment of nasal congestions and allergies
There are many allergies one faces that lead to snoring. Therefore, many people breathe through their mouths while sleeping, which results in snoring. How to fix snoring? A doctor can recommend a steroid spray that helps with your allergies and congestion.
If you have a deviated septum, or a structural defect in your airway, the doctor might suggest surgery.
Medical treatments
Continuous positive airway pressure machine.
People with OSA are generally recommended for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Here the doctor advises you to wear a mask while sleeping over your nose and mouth. The mask helps direct pressurized air to the airway with the help of a small bedside pump.
Dental mouthpieces
These oral appliances are form-fitting and help keep your jaw, soft palate, and tongue in position. This results in an open airway.
The dental and sleep specialists help you understand the right size of your mouthpiece and whether it’s giving the desired results. You might experience dry mouth, salivation, facial discomfort, and jaw pain as the side effects of this treatment.
Surgery
To open the upper airway, there are many surgical methods. These include
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
To tighten and trim the excess tissues from your throat — a type of face-lift for your throat.
Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA)
The upper and lower jaws are moved forward. This opens up the airway.
Radiofrequency tissue ablation
To reduce the tissue in the soft palate, nose, and tongue, a low-intensity radiofrequency signal is passed in this procedure.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation
To control the forward movement of the tongue, a stimulus is applied to the nerve that controls this movement. After the procedure, the tongue doesn’t block the airway while sleeping.
