Snoring is a common problem everyone will surely encounter not only with ourselves but also with our loved ones and anybody whom we know. Snoring is just but natural when it occurs occasionally most especially when it’s just a result of a tedious day of work. But, if snoring regularly manifests and shifting from the mild to the scandalous one, then, there might be some medical concerns.
Aside from the possible medical complications or indications of snoring, it has a much greater effect on the relationship among family members, typically of the couples themselves. Snoring may draw a line between them, a literal line of distance.
So, you are thinking that you wouldn’t mind snoring since it’s their problem not yours? You might be surprised that in most cases, snoring also has direct negative effects on the snorer himself. Studies have proven that most of them have experienced mental fatigue and stress the next day alongside with that “not so good” sleep since more organs now are working just for you to breath while you sleep.
Probably the next thing to do is to panic, but, you need not to. Before resorting to the more expensive snore medications and operations, people having a hard time with their bad snoring habits may at first try some simple/natural yet effective methods to stop snoring. These natural practices are also proven effective for the mild cases or rare occurrences of snoring.
When bed time comes and you are dealing with simple or mild snoring, sleeping position changes are on the number one to-do list. Snorers who encounter snoring while sleeping on their back might find sleeping on the sides to be helpful.
Snoring, being essentially a concern of difficulty in breathing during sleep can also be aided by allowing a free flow or circulation of air into your respiratory system. To do this, try elevating up the head with through pillow stacking or piling up.
Snoring is also caused by physical, emotional and mental stress that is why lifestyle changes can give you positive results when it comes to snoring. Added from the extraneous physical activities, drinking and smoking are the two additional villains. Well of course, exercise is part of the natural remedy. When you are quite a “heavy” individual, try to shed off some weight. Massive body weights have constraining effects on our respiratory system.
Although quite weird, studies recently have shown that recreational activities help in having a restful and good night sleep. Singing, dancing and playing wind or brass instruments are some of the examples. These activities provide good workout for your lungs and strengthen all other respiratory organs.
Lastly, it is very much important just to relax and for some time during the day or before your sleep to relax and not to worry even a single problem.
Medical and Surgical Aids for Snoring
When you and your partner have a hard time dealing with that very loud snore of yours, and that you have already tried numerous natural and dietary solutions just to get rid of such problem but still failed, the next step recommended is to consult your doctor and discuss out the possible medical procedures that are available to treat snoring.
Snoring has something to do with the breathing and air circulation processes that occur in our sleep, thus, medical procedures aiming to eliminate or reduce the snoring sound are aimed at eliminating nasal obstruction. At times, the doctor may infer that blockage or blockages is present in more than a single area. Because of this, surgery in a specific part may at times would just decrease the snoring and not totally eliminate it.
Of course before an approved operation, the patient is required to undergo some tests and formal sleep studies, results of which should be enough to justify medical intervention. The various medical treatments for snoring shall be dealt with in the following discussions.
Radio-frequency energy. With this type of medical procedure, radio frequency energy is employed primarily to shrink out the turbinate around the nasal passage which would leave more space for nasal air passage. Radio frequency burns out the tissues to produce scar around the turbinate and the formation of the scar would suggest of a successful operation, although, it may take a few months for the scars to heal.
Correcting deviated septum. The septum is the “wall” in between and which divides the nose into two. At birth or due to some incidents, traumas or injuries on the septum might have caused it to be misaligned, thus, air flow in one of the nasal passage can be restricted causing a person to snore. Corrective medical procedure would involve the removal of the crooked part of the cartilage.
Nasal Polyps removal would simply entail the extraction of mucosal build up inside the nose which most of the time is caused by allergies.
Other than concerns on the nasal passage, snoring may at times be caused by lengthy and floppy palate and uvula. Thus, respective medical treatments are also taken up.
Uvulectomy involves the removal of the uvula in our throat. Although side-effects are very rare, it can be observed on the changes on speech quality. On the other hand, trimming of the uvula to allow greater air passage can be done via the Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty or LAUP. Generally, snoring caused by long and floppy palate is corrected with such medical procedure which undertakes the stiffening of the palate. At times, radio-frequency is also used for palate surgeries. Most doctors on the other hand would do palate implants.
Dietary Aids for Snoring
People oftentimes would only think that snoring is caused by physiological or emotional problems but they failed to consider the poor dietary habits. On the other hand, solutions for snoring were strictly construed as either the physical activities or medical procedures. Again, people were blinded by the benefits of consuming certain foods and avoidance of toxic chemicals and substances.
When it comes to consumables that have a direct relationship to snoring and certainly a must to avoid or consume in moderation are dairy products. Dairy products are number one on the list since they can promote the buildup of mucus in the nasal passages. Mucus formations are tantamount to restricting air flow freely while we sleep, then of course such blockage would result to snoring.
Milky drinks should also be avoided by the heavy snorers. Added on the list are baked goods, chocolates, the fried and the frozen ones. These should not be taken when you are about to go to sleep. At best avoid eating heavy meals before going to bed. Most often than not, during the process of digestion, air passages are constricted caused by the bloated effect.
Doctors, our teachers since early childhood, our parents, friends and loved ones have constantly reminded us to refrain from smoking and drinking. Smoking and drinking can never be excluded on the list. Smoking as we all know have negative effects from A-Z, so, it’s no wonder why it should be avoided to get rid of snoring. Smoke coming from burning tobacco causes nasal irritation.
Alcohol at the same time is a proven irritant on the nasal passage. Did it ever occurred on your mind, what is happening to the nose of persons when they are drunk? Why does it turn red? Maybe now you’ll be able to figure out the answer. Alcohol is essentially a depressant causing internal organs and muscles to relax, which is why drunken people have a good night yet very loud sleep.
Now let us go to the beneficial ones, those that may help in aiding out snoring.
Which would you prefer, bad breath or no breath at all. Onions are a good way to alleviate digestive congestion since onions are natural inflammatory agent. Onions are very much effective for cold and flu, the primary causes of nasal blockage. Not only that they are decongestants but also a good source of antioxidants.
Honey and lemon get along together but hate snoring. To get rid of snoring, honey acts as antiseptic and at the same time a decongestant. Thus, a luscious honey lemon juice before going to bed is advised. Lemon and thyme decreases mucus in the nasal passages. On the side, including hot foods like garlic and horseradish in your diet reduces snoring as well. Always remember that nature also created natural dietary cures that are always readily available.