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How to Stop Snoring Snoring, which sounds like a fairly harmless thing, is actually quite a serious health problem for millions of people. It’s also a sometimes unbearable experience for people who live with people who snore; and can lead to sleeplessness, extreme stress, and even mental health problems. Discovering how to stop snoring is therefore at the top of many people’s to-do list.
Again, spending time learning how to stop snoring may seem a bit, well, not important. After all, there are very serious health problems in the world that are worthy of our attention; and really, just how big of a problem is snoring after all? In a word: massive.
For the snorer, the problem of snoring is one of physical health. Snoring can be symptomatic of serious ailments, including respiratory and lung weakness, and dangerous obesity. Snoring can also be related to a condition called Sleep Apnea, which is when breathing stops entirely; and brain damage and carbon dioxide toxicity can occur; even death! Seen in this light, the problem of snoring is quite serious, after all. For the non-snorer; that is, for the person who lives with a snorer, the problem of snoring can be monumental. Typical chronic snoring has been rated at the same decibel as a passing jet, a motorcycle, a lawnmower, or a hairdryer (on full blast). People who are compelled to (try and) sleep next to any of these sounds can experience extreme stress, fatigue, resentment, and can develop many serious emotional and mental health conditions, including extreme fatigue. Thankfully, there are several possible solutions that exist on the market. The most popular include: Oral appliances, such as tongue retraining devices and mandibular appliances which help pull the jaw back and push the tongue forward, thus preventing blockage of the trachea (which is that causes the vibration that leads to most snoring) Nasal strips that help open the airflow during sleep and cut down on vibration in the trachea. Special pillows that help snorers sleep on their side, since this typically closes the snorer’s mouth (and can stifle the sound of the snoring; though this won’t actually treat the snoring!). Drugs and medications that help relieve airway congestion and promote freer breathing, thus preventing vibration in the trachea and windpipe. And when none of those are suitable… Surgeries (both conventional and laser) which reduce the amount of tissue that vibrates against air in the trachea. These surgeries do, of course, have some side effects and aren’t for everyone; yet they can make a positive difference in the life of a snorer (and those that they live with!). Some things actually enhance snoring, and removing them from one’s lifestyle/diet can sometimes be quite beneficial. Alcohol and smoking generally contribute to snoring (alcohol relaxes the trachea too much; smoking leads to congestion of the airway). Obesity is also often linked to snoring, since it adds flesh to the neck which can vibrate against airflow and lead to snoring. Some foods, particularly those that cause nasal congestion, can be culprits as well. These foods include dairy products, chocolate, and foods that contain sweeteners.
Jim Shaw
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