Anti-snoring Aid

While a person is asleep, irregular airflow during breathing leads to the vibration of respiratory structures. The resulting sound is termed snoring. The sound can be either soft or loud or unpleasant. Blockage in the nasal passage, throat weakness, fat around the throat are some of the causes leading to the blockage of air flow. The structures that vibrate are the uvula and soft palate. Snoring leads to lack of sleep, drowsiness and irritability. It troubles not just the snorers but also those around them. Though considered a minor ailment, snoring often leads to social and psychological damage of the snorer.

Recent studies connect loud snoring with the risk of stroke and development of carotid artery atherosclerosis. Conditions like sleep apnea can occur along with snoring. Since snoring is a medical problem, people who snore should seek medical advise rather than relying on over-the-counter aids. Treatments of snoring deal with cleaning the blockage in the breathing passage.

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine helps to control sleep apnea and the associated snoring. Surgery like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty tries to widen the airway through removal of tissues at the back of the throat. However, there is a risk of side effect as the surgery is invasive. Laser operations are not allowed on the pharynx or uvula.

Dental appliances like mandibular advancement splints are commonly used treatments for snoring. Other dental devices help to open the airway by bringing the lower jaw or the tongue forward during sleep. Most devices are made of acrylic and fit inside the mouth. Others fit around the head and chin to adjust the lower jaw.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a new surgical treatment for snoring. Radiofrequency energy and heat is applied to the soft tissue at the back of the throat, causing scarring of the tissue beneath the skin. This may lead to stiffening of the treated area. This treatment requires several sessions and takes less than an hour. However, it does not completely cure snoring.

Palatal implantation or the Pillar procedure is a new method of surgery. Small plastic implants of about an inch are inserted into the palate using a syringe. The surgery is done under local anesthesia causing little pain. Side effects are mild but the treatment is quite expensive.

Often the way one snore reveals the reasons behind the snoring. A problem with the tongue leads to snoring with the mouth closed. Snoring with the mouth open suggests there is trouble with the tissues in the throat. If one snores when lying on one's back, improved sleep habits and changes in lifestyle can help to cure it. But if one snores in all sleep positions, it is time for a proper cure.

Losing weight is an effective cure for snoring. If the fatty tissues on the back of the throat get reduced, snoring decreases. Elevating the head of the bed by some inches helps one to breathe easily. Rich foods, high-fat milk products and soy milk trigger mucus build up in the throat leading to snoring. Alcohol and sleeping pills must be avoided before going to sleep. These cause the tongue and throat muscles to relax and increase snoring chances.

• Emma Bullock
• 04/05/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments