Being overweight is the #1 cause of snoring
It is not uncommon for snoring and sleep apnea sufferers to inquire about undergoing surgery to correct their problem. In a society where people are interested in a magic bullet to resolve every issue, it is alarming to hear so many suggest surgery as a first option where there are so many safe, nonsurgical solutions to this common problem.
The truth is, in most cases the cause it simple – being overweight. People who are overweight tend to have thicker than average necks. Extra deposits of fat which restrict airflow are a major contributing factor that causes snoring. By taking measures to lose weight you will not only improve your overall health but reduce or possibly even eliminate your snoring problem.
But I am not overweight you say? While there is a positive correlation between overweight individuals and snoring, having a few extra pounds actually may not be the cause of your problem. There are numerous, less common causes that you may want to think about. Among these are sleep position, alcohol or sedative use, water consumption, or simply muscles in the neck that tend to relax.
The good news is that in most cases you can take measures to resolve the cause of your snoring without having to resort to surgery. Going under “the knife” should be at the bottom of your list of choices. Here are a few suggestions that you may want to try:
Don’t ask your partner to wear earplugs. Address the issue.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD), Tongue Stabilizing Devices (TDS), Snoring chin straps, anti-snoring pillows, nose strips, nose cones, or nasal sprays have been proven to be effective to some degree.
The snoring mouthpiece is a great choice for snoring relief
- Sleep on an incline by slightly elevating the head of your bed
- Stay away from alcohol and sedatives. These relax throat muscles and make them more likely to flap against each other.
- Stay hydrated. Some speculate that a contributing factor to snoring is thick mucus caused by a lack of hydration. Remaining hydrated has several health benefits and may also help with your snoring.
- Try throat exercises to tighten muscles.
- Watch what you eat. As previously mentioned having excess fat can really cause some serious health issues, including snoring.
- Give up smoking. Did you know that smoke causes inflammation or swelling of the airway? This may be a contributing factor to your problem.
- Develop healthy sleeping patterns. Going to bed on time and getting enough sleep is essential to your health and will help to prevent snoring. If you are asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow this is an indication that you are exhausted and your body will instantly go into deep sleep mode.
It is, of course, advisable that you visit your doctor for advice if you suspect that you have sleep apnea – a condition where you repeatedly cease to breathe for several seconds while sleeping. It is common for sleep apnea suffers to snore while snoring is not always an indication of the condition. If unsure just ask your doctor.
Perhaps you have tried all the above and then some without results. At this time you may want to consider a surgery to correct the cause of your snoring. This usually involves removing the Uvula or tonsils or any other object that may be creating a breathing obstruction.
Another procedure involves introducing radio frequencies to the soft palate in an effort to shrink tissue and reduce the obstruction. This is also an effective surgical means.
There are of course other options that you may want to discuss with your doctor.
Which mouthpiece should I buy?
The anti-snoring mouthpiece is one of the most highly effective stop snoring solutions available. With over 100 different products to choose from, deciding which one to buy can be challenging.
As a snorer and product reviewer, I have tried many of these devices and created a list of recommended devices that will help to make this decision much easier.
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