Snoring Treatments
Sleep is essential for proper functioning on a day to day basis. We all need to rest and sleep for about 7 to 8 hours in a day to ensure the health of our minds and bodies. Many people take the necessary steps towards getting a full night’s rest by sleeping early, sensory deprivation hours prior to sleeping, or listening to tranquil music before going to bed. Despite these efforts, many people can suffer from the inability to sleep.
This has been caused by a few factors, one being snoring while they sleep. Many have considered snoring as a norm, but what they may not know is that snoring can often indicate other issues that must be addressed.
People snore in their sleep due to airway issues. Snoring can indicate that something is impeding their airway and requires adequate evaluation and treatment. There can be many causes for this problem. There are also many solutions that can be used to prevent this from occurring.
Some causes of snoring include the following:
Sleep is essential for proper functioning on a day to day basis. We all need to rest and sleep for about 7 to 8 hours in a day to ensure the health of our minds and bodies. Many people take the necessary steps towards getting a full night’s rest by sleeping early, sensory deprivation hours prior to sleeping, or listening to tranquil music before going to bed. Despite these efforts, many people can suffer from the inability to sleep.
This has been caused by a few factors, one being snoring while they sleep. Many have considered snoring as a norm, but what they may not know is that snoring can often indicate other issues that must be addressed.
People snore in their sleep due to airway issues. Snoring can indicate that something is impeding their airway and requires adequate evaluation and treatment. There can be many causes for this problem. There are also many solutions that can be used to prevent this from occurring.
Some causes of snoring include the following:
- Mouth Anatomy – having a low, thick palate can narrow your airway. Those who are overweight may have extra tissue in the back of their throats, which can cause the airways to narrow as a result.
- Alcohol Consumption – snoring can be a side effect of consuming copious amounts of alcohol before sleeping. Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles and decreases your innate defenses against airway obstruction.
- Nasal Problems – nasal congestion or a deviated septum can contribute to a person’s snoring.
- Sleep Deprivation – not getting enough sleep in a night can relax the throat further which cause snoring.
- Sleep Position – snoring occurs most frequently, and loudest when a person sleeps on their back as the effects of gravity on the throat narrows the airway.
Lifestyle Changes
When it comes to lifestyle changes to reduce or stop snoring, it can start by losing weight until you reach the ideal weight for your height. It is also good to avoid taking in antihistamines, sleeping pills and tranquilizers before sleeping. Alcohol intake and having heavy meals before sleeping can cause a person to snore. Proper positioning can also help. Sleep on your side rather than on your back. Elevate your head for 3 to 4 inches to give way to a better airway flow.
There may be more to snoring. It can be caused by physiological conditions. Treatment may vary from lifestyle changes, over the counter solutions, surgical procedures or continuous positive airway pressure. When we speak of CPAP, we are referring to a treatment that utilizes a mask worn over the nose or mouth during sleep. This is hooked to a machine that can deliver continuous air flow into the nostrils. This pressure keeps the airways open and allows for better breathing.
When someone snores, it is good to let them know. They may not be aware of it. You can help them by pointing it out, so they can seek treatment in the future. This may even improve their quality of life and productivity. Visit our clinic at Access Dental in Kelowna to learn about your treatment options for snoring.
When it comes to lifestyle changes to reduce or stop snoring, it can start by losing weight until you reach the ideal weight for your height. It is also good to avoid taking in antihistamines, sleeping pills and tranquilizers before sleeping. Alcohol intake and having heavy meals before sleeping can cause a person to snore. Proper positioning can also help. Sleep on your side rather than on your back. Elevate your head for 3 to 4 inches to give way to a better airway flow.
There may be more to snoring. It can be caused by physiological conditions. Treatment may vary from lifestyle changes, over the counter solutions, surgical procedures or continuous positive airway pressure. When we speak of CPAP, we are referring to a treatment that utilizes a mask worn over the nose or mouth during sleep. This is hooked to a machine that can deliver continuous air flow into the nostrils. This pressure keeps the airways open and allows for better breathing.
When someone snores, it is good to let them know. They may not be aware of it. You can help them by pointing it out, so they can seek treatment in the future. This may even improve their quality of life and productivity. Visit our clinic at Access Dental in Kelowna to learn about your treatment options for snoring.
