Snoring is an issue that affects nearly half of the male population and just over a quarter of the female population. While often not a problem when a person sleeps alone, it can become an issue whenever a bed partner is introduced and snoring becomes a nuisance.
When snoring becomes an issue, those affected by their partner’s snoring often scramble to find a cure. This often leads one to wonder if there is a permanent cure for snoring or if the snoring remedies being sold are merely a temporary solution.
You may have noticed that your snoring has increased as you have grown older. Perhaps your snoring has increased after you gained a few pounds. Age and weight gain are two major contributors to snoring but are not the only causes. Before trying out every snoring cure on the market, you may want to first consider what may be causing your snoring before taking corrective action. You may want to enlist the help of your physician to help you with this task.
Permanent Fixes For Snoring
In most cases, once one begins to snore, it typically worsens over time. However, for some, there are two permanent snoring”fixes” that are effective.
Weight Loss
While it’s true that not all who are overweight have a snoring problem, carrying a few extra pounds can cause snoring. This is especially true for those who carry extra fat around their neck. Maintaining one’s body weight becomes increasingly difficult as we age. Before you know it, you have packed on 30 lbs and develop a snoring problem.
If this sounds familiar, altering your diet and adopting an exercise plan may be all that it takes to cure your snoring. Keep an eye on carbohydrates, fats, and calorie intake while incorporating exercise into your daily routine can steer you back on track. Losing weight around the neck relieves downward pressure which often causes an airway restriction. The airway is the site in which snoring and sleep apnea most commonly occur. Reducing fat lifts pressure off of the airway and allows free breathing which may result in the elimination of snoring.
Surgery
Another permanent cure for snoring is surgery. While most physicians will not recommend snoring as a permanent cure for snoring, it’s often necessary if there is a physical obstruction that is blocking the flow of air such as abnormally large tonsils. Snoring surgeries are often recommended in those who have excessive tissue that prevents the flow of air. An example would be enlarged tonsils, adenoids, nasal polyps, or abnormally shaped septums.
Snoring surgery should be reserved for those who are likely to benefit from the recovery can be long and painful.
Are Other Snoring Cures Available?
While weight loss and surgery are the only two “permanent cures” for snoring, there two other snoring cures that are also effective.
Positional Therapy
Sleeping on one’s side is often all that it takes to cure snoring. While sleeping on your back, the body relaxes and the jaw has a tendency to also relax and fall towards the airway which can result in an airway obstruction. When one sleeps on their side, the airway is less likely to be affected by the jaw as gravity prevents it from falling backward.
In order to remain on one’s side, a snore bumper must be put in place in order to prevent rollover. You can purchase a snore bumper for less than $100 or fabricate one yourself.
The downside to relying on positional therapy is that it’s not exactly a permanent solution as you will always require the use of a snore belt to prevent rollover onto your back.
Snoring Mouthguard
Another snoring cure that I prefer is the snoring mouthguard. As mentioned, the jaw tends to relax and fall backward as we sleep. A snoring mouthguard prevents the jaw from falling back while sleeping in any position. If you prefer to sleep on your back, a mouthguard may be helpful.
The mouthguard is placed inside of the mouth prior to falling asleep. They are typically custom molded to fit closely between the upper and lower teeth. As the body relaxes, the jaw is held forward and in place by the upper teeth.
Mouthguards have been in existence for several years now and are typically only available online. Here’s a resource that’s helpful if you decide to go with a mouthguard.
Mouthguards, while more effective than snore bumpers, still share the same downfall which is they must be used every night otherwise the snoring will return.
When It’s More Than Snoring
Snoring is an issue that affects millions of couples every night. While often considered just a bedroom nuisance, sometimes snoring can be a symptom of a more serious issue – sleep apnea.
If your partner notices that your breathing sometimes pauses or you wake up each morning feeling less than refreshed, this may be an indication of sleep apnea. If you experience any symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important to first speak with your doctor before attempting to treat a snoring problem.
Sleep apnea often requires the use of an apparatus called a CPAP machine which assists with keeping the airway open as you sleep. They can perform a sleep study to confirm whether or not this will be necessary.
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