If you snore, surgery should be a last resort when searching for a cure. There are many treatment options for snoring, but it can sometimes be difficult determining which ones work the best for your particular situation. If you have a willing partner, you should ask them to try and notice any change in your snoring. If you live alone you can tape a portion of your sleep each evening to try and determine if the treatment is having any success.
Your doctor may prescribe you drugs to deal with your snoring. There are three different categories for medications working to reduce and/or eliminate snoring. One type is designed to stimulate respiration, the second works to keep airways open, and finally the third works to prevent REM sleep. Taking the last type of drug is perhaps not a good idea for all snorers since REM sleep is important to our health and wellbeing.
Decongestant inhalers can help to reduce excess mucus in your nasal airways. Most of these are available over the counter and can be a real help for some snorers. When looking for sprays consider starting with a saline spray since even this can help to reduce vibrations.
If you don?t want to take any sort of medication for your snoring there are other options. One such potential solution is a pillow that forces you to sleep on your side. Most people only snore when they are lying on their backs, and so this can help to reduce snoring. If the pillow isn?t your thing you can purchase a snore ball which is placed into a pocket in the back of your night shirt, thus preventing you from lying on your back.
If you want to sleep on your back but would prefer to avoid any device that forces you, you may want to consider a sleep position monitor. The monitor works by giving out a beep when you turn onto your back. This may sound annoying but eventually you should be able to remove the monitor once you are used to always sleeping on your side.
Nasal strips are another non surgical option. When used over the top of the nose they can help to widen airways and reduce obstructions which can result in snoring. Another option is the nasal dilator which inserts into your nose and also helps to keep nasal passages open.
Other than these non surgical solutions which work to treat the symptoms, you should try and determine what the cause is. For instance, if you have an intolerance or allergy to milk, it can inflame mucus membranes and increase mucus production, thus increasing your chance for snoring.
You may also want to look at your weight. Many obese people snore due to increased pressure around the neck. Losing weight has many benefits; eliminating snoring is just one if them. If you drink frequently before bed you should also consider cutting it out since it can have an effect on snoring. |
