| Kitty knows you can't deny it, just about | | | | If you snore in all position and very loudly, may |
| everyone be it man or beast will snores | | | | signify a more severe health reason such as sleep |
| occasionally. Snoring can affect how much and | | | | apnea and may require a consult with your |
| how well we sleep, as poor sleep may be a sign | | | | physician. If you have sleep apnea, you and your |
| of poor health. Snoring is not a laughing matter, | | | | partner will wake up periodically during the night. |
| because it is not just your health that may be in | | | | Constant sleep disruption will eventually take a toll |
| jeopardy, it's your relationship. Loud snoring is the | | | | on your relationship as well as your health. |
| number one cause why couples sleep separately. | | | | Sleep apnea is potentially life-threatening because |
| Let's look at some snoring solutions and find a | | | | the person actually stops breathing for a few |
| way to eliminate snoring and improve your health, | | | | seconds continuously during the night. Snoring is a |
| love life and your sleep. | | | | symptom of sleep apnea and not the cause. If |
| If you want to quit snoring it's important to find | | | | simple at-home remedies don't cure or at least |
| out why you snore. Identifying the cause will help | | | | lessen your snoring, you should contact an ear, |
| you to choose the cure. For example; if you use | | | | nose and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) or sleep |
| a forced heat furnace this could dry out the air in | | | | specialist. You may be referred to a sleep clinic |
| your bedroom. | | | | where they can evaluate your sleep and |
| Cause: you get congested, so you sleep with your | | | | determine if you are a candidate for a CPAP |
| mouth open making you snore. | | | | machine or a dentist if you need a dental |
| Cure: buy a humidifier or try nasal sprays to keep | | | | appliance. Both a CPAP machine and dental |
| your nasal passageway moist and clear. It would | | | | appliance are worn during the night. The CPAP will |
| be nice if it were that simple. Let's look at some | | | | force air into your airway passage and the dental |
| other at-home treatments to see if they will help | | | | appliance will keep the jaw inline or the tongue |
| reduce your snoring: | | | | forward during sleep. |
| Sleep on your side | | | | If you're diagnosed with enlarge tonsils or |
| Use an anti-snoring pillow to elevate your head | | | | adenoids a surgeon can perform a tonsillectomy |
| Stop drinking alcohol 2-3 hours prior to bedtime, | | | | and adenoidectomy. Other surgeries include an |
| alcohol relaxes your throat muscles more; as do | | | | Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or Thermal |
| some medications. | | | | Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP) which uses a scalpel, |
| Weight loss...if you are overweight even losing | | | | laser or a microwaving probe to remove excess |
| 10% of your body weight may do the trick. Extra | | | | tissue in the back of the throat and/or inside the |
| fat in the neck can obstruct airway passages. | | | | nose. Plastic surgery can reconstruct a deformed |
| Obstruction of the airway passage is the reason | | | | jaw or deviated septum in the nose. |
| why we snore. Deformities of the nose and | | | | A new surgery called the Pillar Procedure uses |
| throat and poor sleep posture contribute to the | | | | small implants that are inserted into the soft |
| obstruction. Some people are born with too much | | | | palate. Over time, scar tissue or tissue fibers will |
| throat and nasal tissue or even a larger tongue, | | | | build up around the implants causing the soft |
| which can get in the way of breathing. The cause | | | | palate to stiffen. Stiffening the soft palate stops |
| may not be within your control and medical | | | | the vibrations that cause snoring. This procedure |
| treatment may be necessary. Talk with your | | | | is done on an out-patient basis, under a local |
| partner and keep a sleep journal to help | | | | anesthesia with minimal pain and quick recovery |
| determine the cause of your snoring. | | | | time. Since this is a new procedure, long term |
| If you snore with your mouth closed, a | | | | studies have not been established. The cost of |
| weakened soft palate may be the reason. With a | | | | this procedure is not covered by health insurance |
| weak soft palate your tongue maybe applying | | | | or Medicare, but is under review. Most insurance |
| pressure on the uvula creating a vibration. If you | | | | plans do not cover surgeries for snoring. With any |
| snore with your mouth open, you may have | | | | procedure, consult with your doctor to find a |
| enlarged adenoids or tonsils. Only snore on your | | | | qualified, experienced surgeon in your area to help |
| back and not all the time, could just suggest that | | | | you eliminate snoring. |
| you need to change some sleep or health habits. | | | | |