Monday 7 June 2010

If Your Partner is Snoring Stop Wondering What Works and Choose a Snoring Solution That Suites You

It is said that there are two sides to every coin and when it comes to a snoring solution strategy, that statement could not be more true. There are numerous anti snoring products, techniques and procedures intended to make the person who is snoring stop. Because there are different causes, types of snoring and so many snoring solution products, it is quite easy to become confused and choose the wrong one for your situation. Further complicating the issue is the fact that effectiveness varies drastically. By using some simple guidelines, better choices can be made.

It is important to identify which basic strategy will work best for you. There are OFFENSIVE strategies, which are snoring devices, etc... that are intended to be used by the snorer and there are DEFENSIVE strategies that are designed to provide some level of relief for the non snoring partner, whether there have been attempts to make the snoring stop or not.

First let's discuss offensive strategies and clarify some misconceptions regarding sleep apnea and snoring products that claim to cure sleep apnea which is pauses in breathing while asleep. The leading cause of both sleep apnea and heavy snoring is weight gain, so if you believe this to be a contributing factor in your situation, you may consider weight loss as means to help snoring stop also. Although some anti snoring products do provide some degree of sleep apnea reduction, sleep apnea and snoring are not necessarily synonymous. Loud snoring can exist without any sleep apnea symptoms and sleep apnea can exist without any snoring whatsoever. Only a qualified doctor can determine if sleep apnea is present and if so an offensive strategy or a combination offensive / defensive strategy will be called for. Your doctor will cover all of your options with you.

Some over the counter snoring solutions have hidden drawbacks. Beware of the chin strap type snoring aids, as they prevent the snorer from opening their mouth during sleep and therefore cannot be worn when the snorer is congested, due to nasal blockage. In fact sinus / nasal congestion is one of the leading contributors to snoring, so be sure to consider this when weighing the pros and cons of any offensive snoring solution.

There are some other less obvious things to consider when shopping for offensive non-prescription anti snoring devices as well. Probably the single biggest challenge that the non snoring partner faces, is convincing the snorer that their snoring is a very real problem, to the extent that some action should be taken. Obviously most people who snore fall into one of two categories. They either don't know that they snore loudly or they do know that they snore and don't appreciate the impact it may be having on others. More often than not, there is some reluctance on the part of the snorer, to pro-actively seek a snoring solution, leaving their partners to fend for themselves.

If sleep apnea has been ruled out and the snorer is reluctant to take action, then the easiest way for the non snoring partner to regain normal sleep patterns is to turn to a defensive strategy. Most people are unaware of the fact that some very good defensive strategies exist and assume that they are doomed to a future of disturbed sleep. There are products that work to varying degrees and we will discuss some of the different approaches here.

First there are the obvious candidates such as snoring ear plugs and noise canceling headphones. These can be good choices if you just want to reduce the volume of the snoring and not completely cover it. Both of these methods of snore defense are limited by the fact that about fifty percent of the snoring noise that reaches into the inner ear, actually travels through bone and there really is no way that either of these device types can intervene in this process, as they are designed to reduce through air transmission only. Another alternative anti snoring solution you may consider is the use of some type of masking sound. The advantage offered by masking sounds is that they actually do interfere with both the air and bone conducted sound travel routes. Although white noise has some drawbacks related to the sound structure (some people say that it is to high pitched and somewhat uncomfortable sounding), it has been used by many people over the years.

There is however an entirely new category of hybrid masking sounds that have been gaining popularity in recent years, mainly because they are custom made to specifically cover the sound of snoring with high efficiency. The high hissing tones of white noise aren't a problem with this new elite class of snore masking sounds, so it's much easier on the listener and seems to be very conducive to sleep. If you do have a partner who snores and you are losing sleep, this is probably the quickest, easiest and least expensive way to go. Think of this as a way of protecting yourself without seeking the approval of your partner. Partners who snore may want to seek out something of this nature for their loved ones as well. You can see that you are not doomed to a life ruled by snoring Stop the sleep loss you have been experiencing with a snoring solution that is right for you and fits your own anti snoring needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_J_McKenna

Friday 4 June 2010

Causes and Natural Remedies For Snoring Problems

There are many causes of snoring. Snoring is usually caused when the air flow is blocked from entering through the mouth or nose. There are many reasons why the air flow might be blocked. If you have seasonal allergies or a sinus infection, the air flow might be blocked due to a stuffy nose. Drinking alcoholic drinks, taking part in deep sleep, or using sleeping pills are other reasons why you may snore. The muscles in your tongue or throat become overly relaxed when you do the above, causing the muscles to cave into the airway.

However, sleeping in another room does not have to be a solution to your snoring problem. Snoring, like almost everything else, can be treated. By unearthing the cause of your snoring, you can improve your overall health, your daily lifestyle, your relationships, and, of course, your sleep.

There are many causes of snoring. Snoring is usually caused when the air flow is blocked from entering through the mouth or nose. There are many reasons why the air flow might be blocked. If you have seasonal allergies or a sinus infection, the air flow might be blocked due to a stuffy nose. Drinking alcoholic drinks, taking part in deep sleep, or using sleeping pills are other reasons why you may snore. The muscles in your tongue or throat become overly relaxed when you do the above, causing the muscles to cave into the airway. As you become older, muscles get more relaxed, increasing the risks of snoring. Overweight can cause snoring, since most people who suffer with obesity have thick throat tissue. Large tonsils and adenoids can also make children snore. If the opening of your throat or nose becomes narrow because of the palate or uvula in the back of your mouth, the tissue can vibrate against each other and cause you to snore.

Snoring also has a negative affect on health, which can become very serious over time. While there are many snoring problems, one serious health disorder that can develop is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause long breathing interruptions that last more than 10 seconds, as well as heart strain, constantly waking up, light sleeping, and poor sleeping. These symptoms, in turn, may cause stress for an individual. There are other negative health affects from snoring as well, which are usually related to someone having difficulty breathing. Some disorders that might make an appearance are insomnia (having trouble falling asleep), hypersomnia (sleeping at inappropriate times), parasomnia (doing certain activities while sleeping, like sleepwalking) and movement disorders that are related to sleeping (like restless leg syndrome).

Sleep can not only affect your body but it can affect those around you. Because lots of couples resort to sleeping in different bedrooms if a spouse snores and disrupts sleep, intimacy and communication may be affected negatively. Since snoring is often loud, it is not uncommon for a sleep partner to wake up twenty times or more per hour. This can create stress and have a negative impact socially and physically on relationships. Because the one snoring has to sleep in another room at night, it takes away from bedtime conversation and physical intimacy, resulting in a suffering relationship. The person sent into exile becomes frustrated as well, since he/she feels as though the snoring cannot be controlled.

There are some natural supplements however, that will offer snoring relief. Because some people don't like the idea of taking prescription medication to stop snoring, natural supplements are a wonderful alternative. Since snoring supplements are natural, you do not have to worry about taking medication. An example of a natural supplement that many people use is the spray. This spray is created with natural ingredients and is pretty easy to use, as the snorer just has to spray his/her throat every night before bed. Like a lubricant, the spray helps air flow blockages, which decreases snoring and helps couples sleep comfortably during the night. The person using the spray will also be able to breathe easier than he/she did before.

The tablet is another type of natural supplement that will silence loud snoring. The tablet is created with natural herbs and stops snoring by breaking up mucus, which usually narrows the airway, in the throat. Because mucus is reduced, snoring lessens and breathing is made easier.

There are also natural remedies for snoring that can be done on your own. Some remedies are more time consuming than others. One such remedy is to lose weight, even if the weight loss is not much. Snoring is more likely to develop in people with obesity because of the fatty tissue in the back of the throat, losing some weight will help to decrease the snoring mild to moderate. Another natural remedy is to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back sometimes increases snoring, while sleeping on your side might cure it completely. Elevate your head four inches when you sleep in order to reduce snoring, so that you can breathe easier.

It is also beneficial to sleep with a specially designed pillow so that neck muscles are not too cramped. There are some foods and medications, also some drinks that should be avoided too, so that muscles are not able to relax and cause snoring. Alcohol, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers all cause muscle relaxation, while high-fat milk products and soy products cause mucus to build up. To stop snoring naturally, you should also clear nasal passages and wear nasal strips if you have a stuffy nose, since clogged nasal passages can make breathing difficult. Nasal decongestants work well also. Fun ways to lessen snoring would be to sing, since singing improves muscle control in the soft palate and throat, and start playing the didgeridoo, an instrument that will strengthen your soft palate and throat.

Among all the various natural supplements and remedies, there are also medications that can be taken to reduce snoring. Anti-snoring pills and corticosteroid sprays are used as medications. The pill, also known as BGC20-0166, combines two serotonin-modulating drugs that help cure the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disorder. Corticosteroid sprays are commonly used to ease nasal congestion, reducing inflammation as well to reduce snoring. There are also decongestants to stop snoring, which reduce nasal congestion and narrow blood vessels. Decongestants are often used in pill or spray form, and they last for about twelve hours.

Even though these medication methods do help to reduce snoring, they also have side effects. Corticosteroid sprays can cause dried mucus membranes, sores in the nose, nose bleeds, and perforated septum, which is the tissue that divides nostrils. Decongestants can cause hypertension, headaches, irritation, heart rate increase, sleeping difficulty, and urine difficulty in men who have large prostates. Even so, not everyone will have these side effects when taking medication.

Furthermore, there are medical cures and surgeries that can be taken to reduce snoring. However, you will need to contact a physician or an otolaryngologist (a nose, ear, and throat doctor) about possible medications that can be taken. You may also opt to give dental appliances a try if you consult a dentist who specializes in dental appliances. The surgeries that are usually taken to stop snoring will increase your airway size by removing tissues at the back of the throat or inside the nose so that air flows more easily through your throat. Surgery can also be taken to reconstruct your jaw to prevent snoring. Some common surgeries are Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy.

The Pillar procedure, also known as palatal implantation, is a pretty new surgery performed in a doctor's office that requires inserting plastic implants that are less than an inch long into your palate. Although this procedure can be a little painful and can have mild side effects. The surgery is also pretty expensive and many insurance plans will not cover it. However, your scar tissue will strengthen so that vibrations in the throat decrease and lessen snoring.

Overall, it is important that you get help immediately if you find yourself snoring. Snoring can take a tremendous toll over your life in a way that your whole lifestyle is affected. Relationships can also suffer as a result of snoring, and you are also at risk of numerous negative health affects. While you can stop snoring naturally and you can take medication, see your doctor if natural methods do not work in order to find out if you need to take surgery. You can get the best advice from your Doctor in terms of what to do in order to reduce snoring. Pretty soon you will be on your road to a happy, comfortable sleep with a thriving relationship!

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