How To Stop Snoring

Dummies’ Guide On Stopping Snoring

Archive for June, 2009

Can an anti snoring mouthpiece help stop snoring and sleep peacefully and noiselessly throughout the night? Well, according to those who use this oral appliance, it does!

So, if you have tried one snoring device after another in search of one that works, yet your significant other still can’t sleep peacefully throughout the night, here’s some good news for you - a snoring mouthpiece may be all you need!

Snoring should never be taken lightly. If you are a snorer, you definitely know that it can lead to several health-related problems such as night sweats, heart burn and swollen arms and legs due to poor oxygen flow in various parts of the body. It can also cause daytime fatigue and nasty headaches that last all throughout the day. Snoring can even cause serious health complications including heart disease, stroke and a weak immune system, among others. Yes, snoring can be damaging to your health!

Aside from being a health hazard, snoring can have social consequences as well. Do you know that this nocturnal problem have caused couples to end up sleeping in separate bedrooms? It may sound funny but it seriously isn’t.

Snorers need help. And fast!

Introducing the Anti Snoring Mouthpiece

If you have tried several approaches to solve your snoring problems but have inevitably failed all the time, maybe it’s time that you try an anti snoring mouthpiece. At quick glance, an anti snoring mouthpiece looks like a traditional athletic mouth guard that football players use to prevent oral and facial injuries while playing on the field.

These oral devices are designed by medical professionals and are available over the counter in most drug stores and health stores nationwide. If you can find one that fits you, well and good – you just found yourself an effective and affordable solution to your snoring problem! If you haven’t, you may need to go to a qualified dental professional to have you properly fitted. It may be quite pricey but it’s definitely worth it!

Most snoring mouthpieces generally made up of acrylic plastic and can be easily and comfortably worn in your mouth throughout the night or for just short periods of time while you sleep. It is also commonly referred to as a snoring dental appliance, or a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA).

How does a snoring mouthpiece work?

To understand how this oral appliance works, it’s important to know what causes some people to snore. As a quick review, snoring results when the air passing through the throat to the lungs are obstructed by narrow air passages causing the throat tissues to vibrate.

To solve this problem, the mouthpiece will either bring your lower jaw forward or lift your soft palate to keep the throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing your air passageways while you sleep. The result? No more irritating noises as you sleep!

Some may also help keep your tongue from relaxing and obstructing your windpipe as you sleep.

Does this work for all snorers?

This oral appliance works best for those who suffer from mild to moderate sleep apnea and for those who tried other anti snoring devices and failed.

Are there any other benefits from using these oral appliances?

Manufacturers claim that aside from solving the snoring issue, these mouthpieces can also help improve the flow of oxygen in the body and help eliminate daytime fatigue. And these, by the way, are legal claims since science proves that snoring can seriously affect the flow of oxygen to various parts of the body.

Special Precautions in Using Snoring Mouthpieces

Warning - these oral appliances should only be used by adults. These are not designed for use by those with loose teeth or are wearing braces and/or dentures, those with gingivitis and those with TMJ.

There may also be some complications or side effects in using these oral appliances. Some snorers were reported to have experienced excess salivation, shifting of teeth position and such other oral problems as a result of using them. To prevent these from happening, it is important that you consult your dentist before using any oral appliances, go for a routine check up after several months of using such, and make sure to replace them as soon as they are worn out. A typical anti snoring mouthpiece usually lasts for approximately 4 to 6 months. As always, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry! Now that you know how to stop snoring, try them out yourselves and give us a feedback.

Once again, here’s the million dollar question a lot of people are asking about – how to stop snoring with snoring aids? Quite alarmingly, the number of snorers around the world is on the rise. To complicate matters more, the problem is admittedly not just a threat to the snorer’s health – it is also becoming quite a nuisance to those living with him (or her). If you live or sleep with a snorer, you definitely know what I’m talking about.

For those of you who are lucky enough not to be disturbed by the nocturnal noise a snorer makes each and every night, let me assure you – the problem is quite serious. The noise an average snorer makes can be compared to the steady, irritating noise an operational lawn mower, an industrial vacuum cleaner or a running motorcycle (without a muffler) makes!

Attesting to the seriousness of the matter is the number of snoring aids in the market today. Can you believe that there are more than 300 anti snoring aids and devices registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office? Indeed, the snoring problem has become a very rewarding business.

Aside from making some healthy lifestyle changes (good diet, regular exercise routine, tongue and throat exercises), taking anti snoring medications, practicing other alternative anti snoring therapies (yoga, meditation, reiki), and expensive surgeries (UPPP, laser surgery, thermal ablation palatoplasty), there are several snoring aids that can help solve the snoring problem. This includes anti snoring devices (anti snore pillow, snore ball, nasal strips and nasal dilators, throat sprays and several other electronic anti snore devices) and oral appliances (tongue retraining appliances, mandibular advancement appliances, adjustable positioning appliances, palate lifters and CPAP).

So, how do these devices help put a stop to snoring? Let’s take a closer look!

You can experience quieter nights by changing your sleeping position – guaranteed! There are several patented versions of the anti snore pillow available in the market today. These snoring aids work by providing a firm head and neck support to the snorer and encourage him to sleep on his side.

Why is this important? Well, it’s because most snoring occurs when a person sleeps on his back. Sleeping in this position allows the tongue to fall backward into the throat thereby causing obstruction to the air passages. And when the air cannot flow freely, snoring occurs.

The same principle applies to the good ol’ snore ball. It also encourages you to sleep on your side to prevent snoring. The snore ball can be a tad uncomfortable especially when you try to change positions when you sleep. But hey, that’s precisely the point. And that’s why it’s so popular – the snore ball keeps you sleeping on your side!

Fewer obstructions mean less snore. There are several snoring aids that can keep your air passages free from obstructions including the nasal strip, the nasal dilators and the various oral appliances such as the mandibular advancement appliance (MAA) and the tongue retraining appliance. How can these snoring aids help put the snoring issue to rest? Here’s how!

The nasal strip is one very affordable solution that can help solve your snoring problems. It basically looks like a bandaid that attaches to the bridge of your nose. It works by opening up your nasal valves so that air can flow freely. Plus, the fact that nasal strips are non-medicated and are available without a prescription makes it a very good choice for taking care of your (or your partner’s) snoring problems!

The nasal dilators work in more or less the same principle. However, these are often inserted in the nostrils as you sleep to help keep your air passages open.

The tongue retraining appliance uses suction power to move the tongue forward in an effort to prevent it from obstructing the air passages. The MAA, on the other hand, is a specially designed mouthpiece (usually custom made by dentists) that works by positioning your jaw forward as you sleep. Well, this can be a bit on the pricey side but if you can find one that fits you comfortably in your local drug store, it may work just as well and save you some dollars, too!

A little bit of discomfort is what some people need to change their habits. And this is precisely the principle under which most anti snoring electronic devices work. There are snoring aids that send a little jab of electricity when they sense snoring vibrations while some lights up or emits a beeping sound when the user starts to snore. The effectiveness of these devices varies but some swear that it works for them.

Now you know how to stop snoring with snoring aids. Isn’t it time to choose which one will work for you?

Snoring is becoming quite a serious problem. Attesting to this is the wide variety of snoring aids in the market today. But do you need them? If you are having some troubles getting sleep with your spouse’s consistent “nocturnal symphony”, the answer is quite simple. Your spouse do!

It’s a sad fact – snoring does not only affect the snorer. It can also be a problem for those sleeping and living with them! While snoring can have some damaging complications to the snorer’s health, it can very well cause those sleeping with them to lose hours of quality sleep and thus, lead to daytime fatigue, headaches and moodiness. As such, it can ultimately result to poor work performance and the collapse of the relationship between a snorer and his/her spouse.

Nobody wants these things to happen. Not even the snorer himself! But before resorting to expensive surgeries (which may be complicated and counterproductive, to say the least), why don’t you try these different snoring aids to eliminate or minimize the problem first? Here’s a list of the most popular snoring aids in the market today:

Anti Snoring Pillows

Soft, fluffy pillows encourage snoring so it’s probably the best thing to avoid them at all cost. Instead, you can buy some specially designed anti snoring pillows to help curb your spouse’s snoring. These pillows are usually made from foam and are designed to encourage the snorer to sleep on his or her side. It can’t be avoided that there will still be some vibrations, but since sleeping on one’s side generally keeps the mouth closed, the snoring will greatly be reduced!

Snore Balls

The snore ball dates way back from the 20th century although more modern versions are now out in the market. This device is placed on the snorer’s back and works by keeping him on his side while he sleeps. And that curbs the snoring!

Nasal Valve Dilators

Among the most common types of nasal valve dilators are the nasal adhesive strips and the nasal sprays. For affordable snoring solutions, the nasal strip (a strip you can wear over the bridge of your nose while sleeping) can be one of your best choices. It opens up your nasal passages and may keep you from snoring. These can be purchased even without a prescription and are non-invasive. However, the problem with nasal strips is that they may fall off as you sleep and may cause skin irritation.

Nasal sprays, on the other hand, work by reducing the swelling and congestion of your nasal tissues which may result from a cold or flu. The main disadvantage of nasal sprays is that long term use can be addictive, and may cause undue damage to the delicate mucous membranes leading to some complications including heart arrhythmias and the perforation of the nasal septum.

Aside from the nasal strips and the nasal sprays, there is another type of nasal valve dilator known as nasal braces. These snoring aids are inserted into the nose to widen the air passages. However, this one can be very uncomfortable to use.

Anti Snoring Mouthpieces

There are several types of anti snoring mouthpieces available in the market today. There are those which hold the tongue in place while you sleep (tongue retaining appliances) and there are those which bring your lower jaws forward to keep the throat tissues from obstructing the air passageway.

Of these two, the latter (called the mandibular advancement appliance or MAA) is considered to be the safer and more effective alternative. Why? Simply because the tongue retaining appliances can mess up with the snorer’s ability to swallow during sleep, and may also obstruct the person’s upper air passageways.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Appliances (CPAP)

The CPAP is a special mask that is often used to treat serious snoring problems by providing a continuous flow of oxygen through the nasal air passageways.

Sleep Position Monitor

This electronic anti snoring device encourages the snorer to make sleeping on his side a habit. As soon as the snorer changes his position from sleeping on his side to sleeping on his back, the device will emit a beeping sound prompting him to go back to his original sleeping position.

As you can see, there are a lot of snoring aids available so there’s really no reason to put up with snoring. So, go ahead and let your significant other try which works best for him and finally discover how to stop snoring!

How do you put a stop to snoring? And what are the different snoring solutions one can use to put snoring under control? It’s not surprising that a lot of snorers and their spouses are asking these questions more and more as time passes by. After all, snoring is becoming quite a serious problem!

Evidently, snoring presents an ever bigger problem to a snorer’s spouse than the snorer himself. This problem is so serious it can even lead to a divorce! And mind you, that’s not an exaggeration. It is based on the result of a study reported at the 2001 Conference of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Quite a wake up call for snorers to start finding a solution for their noisy habits!

To put an end to this noisy, sleep-depriving problem, here is a list of the different snoring solutions to stop snoring:

Anti Snoring Medications

Snoring that result from clogged nasal passageways can be solved by using decongestants, antihistamines, nasal drops and throat sprays. Most of these are available over the counter in most pharmacies and drug stores nationwide. There are also specially formulated drugs that claim to treat the problem. If you’re interested in these, ask your doctor about it.

Anti Snoring Devices

There are a lot of snoring aids that claim to solve your snoring problems. These include the anti snoring pillow, the snore ball, the sleep position monitor, nasal strips, nasal dilators and other electronic devices that light up, send a little jab of electricity along your body or emit a beeping sound when you start to snore.

Some of these devices encourage you to sleep on your side rather than your back and force you to make a habit out of it. The anti snoring pillow and snore ball do this trick quite effectively. How? By forcing you to sleep on your side! Well, the working premise here is really quite simple. You snore less when you sleep on your side than when you sleep on your back.

And then, some of these snoring aids work by keeping your nasal airways free from obstructions. This is the group where the nasal strips and nasal dilators fall. Fewer obstructions, less snore. Simple.

Oral Appliances

There are two types of oral anti snoring appliances available in the market today namely the tongue retraining appliances and the mandibular advancement appliance or MAA. However, between these two, most users prefer the MAA because it’s proven to be more effective, more comfortable and also safer to use.

Diet for Snorers

Diet plays a very critical part in the snoring game. It’s a widely accepted fact that excess weight and obesity can lead to snoring and aggravate the problem. So, if you’re serious in nipping the problem at its roots, stick to a healthy diet. Avoid foods that can worsen congestion. These may include rich dairy products, chocolates, and fried, frozen and baked foods.

Also avoid alcohol, antihistamines and tranquilizers, caffeine containing drinks and other diuretics, especially before bedtime. If you’re a smoker, kick that nasty habit now!

Simple Neck and Throat Exercises

Aside from performing exercise routines for your general well-being, there are also some specially designed exercises that can help strengthen and tone your neck and throat muscles, and keep your air passageways free from obstructions. You can do this by holding a pencil between your teeth or pushing your tongue against your lower teeth for about five minutes, or by gently pressing a finger against your chin for about three minutes. Try these simple exercises and see how it improves your throat muscles!

Workable Tricks for Sleeping More Quietly

There are still quite a few simple and inexpensive tricks you can try to help eliminate your snoring problems. Have someone told you that putting something under your chin such as your hand or a pillow, putting a pillow at the small of your back, or playing relaxing music in the background can lead to a quiet and restful night? Yes, these tricks work for some snorers! Why don’t you try if these work for you, too?

Alternative Remedies

Herbal teas containing chamomile or other sleep inducing herbs, or some warm beverage before bedtime can also be effective. Or you can also try some relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, tai chi or reiki. Remember, stress also causes people to snore so practicing relaxation techniques can also be a great help.

Surgery

If everything else fails, there are always some surgical procedures that can stop the snoring. But remember, you should only make consider this as your last result to stop snoring.

How to Stop Snoring Effectively

Snoring is no laughing matter. In fact, it is becoming quite a serious problem by people all over the world. Just look at the figures taken from several authority sites on the topic:

* Studies show that 20 percent of the American population snores habitually (hey, that’s about one in every five Americans!)

* 50% of every adult men and 1/3 of all adult women in the US are snorers

* About 45% of all adults snore occasionally

* Approximately 50% to 60% of all obese persons suffer from sleep apnea (heavy snoring followed by periods of arrested breathing during sleep)

* There are more than 300 anti snoring devices patented in the United States alone!

As you can see, snoring is becoming quite a very common problem and is also turning into one very lucrative business! There is a long list of anti snoring devices, snoring aids, alternative remedies, and surgical procedures aimed at solving the problem. After all, snoring does not only affect the health of the snorer – it also affects the physical, mental and emotional condition of all those who are living with him!

However, not every anti snoring product works. Not all of them are created equal. So, how do you really stop snoring effectively? Here are some ways that can help:

Make positive lifestyle changes. Snoring may result from a lot of different factors among which are physical deformities in the nose (including the nasal septum which is the thin membrane that separates the nostrils) and throat (long soft palate and/or uvula, bulky neck and throat tissues, inflamed tonsils and adenoids), obstructed nasal passages (due to allergies, colds, or sinus infection), and poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat. It can also be a direct result of being obese or overweight.

Taking this into consideration, you can stop snoring effectively by living a healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to get you started on the path to treating your snoring problems:

* If you are over 40 (for men) or 50 (for women), it would be wise to consult your doctor first before doing any lifestyle changes. It is also a must if you have chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, or obesity. Remember, you want to get your snoring problems under control, not to complicate matters more!

* Start your routine. Once your doctor gives you the go signal to start an exercise routine, start slowly and build your routine over time. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity per day. You can do it in a single session or divide the workout throughout the day. Remember, there’s no rush getting there - safe and steady wins the race!

* Be more active and do things you enjoy most. Just make sure that they are compatible with your age and physical condition.

* Start on a reasonable diet. Do not eat more calories that you can burn up during the day. Eat smaller meals 3 to 5 times a day and be extremely conscious of what you put in your mouth. Go for nutrient rich foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables (dark greens and orange vegetables are the best!), whole grains, and lean protein sources. This will help you lose and maintain weight more effectively without necessarily depriving your body with the nutrients it needs.

* Cut back on unhealthy foods. Limit your use of salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. They are not good for you and may only aggravate your snoring problems. Dairy products and alcohol before bedtime is also a big no-no!

Admittedly, these lifestyle changes do not take effect immediately but they will evidently do you good in the long run. Not only will living a healthier lifestyle cure your snoring problems, you’ll also get started on the path to a much better health in the process! Now, can anything else beat that?

However, if your snoring problems are really bugging your significant other and all those who are living with you, you should really consider using an anti snoring aid. There are a number of them in the market so do your research and pick one that is best suited for you. You can stop your snoring effectively. Just follow these tips and you’re on your way to enjoying a good night’s rest!