Snoring Treatment
…plus a Snoring test and a guy on a porch!.
Snoring treatment is available and varied: I understand that there are over 300 anti-snoring devices
available including the ‘dirty sock on the snoring nose’ technique! Most of these so called ‘cures’ are based on
just a few quite straightforward ideas.
Once you have determined the basic causes of your snoring, and you are sure you need treatment, go talk to your
doctor first, although before you go, you could have a look at this very good ‘snoring test’ from Britain:
As we now know snoring occurs because of the narrowing of the air passage between the throat and the nose.
During sleep our throat tissues relax and the passage narrows which explains why we tend to snore only when we are
fully relaxed or at rest.
With the nasal passages narrowing, the pressure increases forcing the vibration of the throat tissue and thus
the snoring sound. Understanding what it is that causes the narrowing of the air passage will point to possible
solutions.
Sleeping Outside Again!
Whatever it is that makes the air passages narrow and the muscles of the throat to relax needs to be
attended to, and whatever promotes the tissue relaxation encouraging the tongue to fall back, also needs to be
identified. Snoring treatments can be divided into two groups:
A basic, non-surgical, group and a surgical procedure
group.
The Non-Surgical Group:
*…If snoring only occurs with colds or sinus problems the treatment would be to
keep the nose clear and perhaps use nasal strips to open up the airways. Raising the height of pillows will
allow the nasal passages to drain.
*…Snoring may also be attributed to the sleeping position. Gravity will pull
back the tongue and block the throat of those sleeping on their backs. Sleeping with a sideways position would
be a simple answer with pillows to support the back and prevent the body from turning back to the ‘sleeping on
the back’ position.
*…Continuous air pressure breathing machines or C.P.A.P. will also keep the
breathing airways passages open throughout the night. This is especially recommended for those with a diagnosed
sleep apnea (apnoea) disorder.
*…There are also breathing exercises, and various items designed to keep your
nasal passages and throat open while you sleep.
The Surgical Group:
*…Removing excess tissue to widen the airways is sometimes necessary. This is
the traditional method of working with the throat area, the uvula, adenoids, tonsils or pharynx areas. This is
called UPPP or (wait for it!) Uvulopalatoharyngoplasty………yes really!
*…There is also a more intense, laser removal of muscle tissue named LAUP or
Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoharyngoplasty!
*…Nasal surgery is for those who have a blockage or narrowing of the nasal
septum.
*…There is also a tongue suspension procedure that is designed to stop the
tongue from falling back into the throat
*…Finally there is a throat tissue shrinking procedure called Somnoplasty. The
idea, I think, is to tighten the throat tissues to prevent vibration in the throat, for which some form of
electrode needles are used.
Understanding the exact cause of your snoring can go a long way to deciding which
treatment (s) will be most appropriate, but talking with your doctor or physician is extremely important so that
the correct treatment for your problem be delivered successfully for you.
Deciding on snoring treatment is most successful when you include your health professionals in your
decisions!
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