new cures for snoring
Snoring can range from barely audible rumblings to tremendous volumes that seem to shake the house foundations.
Snoring is caused by the decrease in muscle tone as we sleep which allows the uvula and soft palate to vibrate as we inhale and exhale. The sound can be even more pronounced when the airway is constricted due to enlarged tonsils or large tongue. Medications of a sedative nature, alcohol, excessive weight and blocked nasal passages can also increase the intensity of the problem. In more severe cases this restriction of airflow can actually lead to partial suffocation, causing interruptions in our sleep patterns as our body jolts us awake in alarm. This condition is called obstructive sleep apnea or OSA for short.
Snoring is considered a simple annoyance for most but OSA is considered a much more serious problem that can affect heart rhythm, blood pressure, and cognitive functions. Side affects such as headaches, fatigue, and loss of sexual desire have also been linked to OSA. Fortunately there are a number of treatments available from simple spray on lubricants to laser surgery. I will touch briefly on the four main categories.
Oral lubricants may be something you have seen advertised on television, the best description I was able to derive from one manufacturer was that when sprayed on to the soft tissues of the throat and palate the increased lubrication would lessen the sound of tissue vibrating as we breath.
Oral appliances come in a number of different forms, they are similar to an orthodontic retainer that is clipped on to your natural dentition. One of the more common designs is intended to hold your lower jaw in a more forward position while sleeping with the effect of keeping your airway more open preventing snoring. For many they work very well but do take some getting used to.
A somewhat more cumbersome solution is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine, commonly referred to as a CPAP. This machine consists of a mask that is fitted over your nose and connected to a small compressor. It is designed to be worn all night as you sleep, unfortunately being tethered to a compressor for some is more than they can tolerate. It does however boast one of the highest rates of success for treating both snoring and OSA.
Surgical options come in two forms, laser and radio frequency treatment. With laser surgery the soft tissues of your palate are anaesthetized and small portions of the vibrating tissue are removed with a laser. When successful it is intended to be a permanent resolution of the problem. In more stubborn cases it will be done in conjunction with a series of radio frequency treatments. These procedures are again performed with a local anesthetic, a small probe is inserted into the offending tissues causing scaring and stiffening, the affect is a decrease or elimination of the vibration creating snoring sounds. Results are positive in more than 75% of those treated.
If you believe you have OSA or are simply driving your mate to another room in the house, consult your physician for an examination and evaluation.