Snoring is a common condition. Snoring is quite harmless, but if you live with a spouse or share an apartment, it can become bothersome to those who live with you. Snoring can even cause tension and frustration between you and your loved ones. Snoring will not only disrupt the sleep of those nearby, but it will also cause you to sleep poorly as well. If you want to get rid of snoring permanently, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Comfort Sleep Solutions today so that you can start getting a good night’s rest.
The Causes of Snoring
Although snoring can happen to anyone, it’s more common in men and in people who are overweight. It also tends to get worse with age. Snoring is caused when the air that flows through the mouth and nose is obstructed in some way.
There are several things that can cause the air pathway to become blocked. It could be caused by allergies, which causes the sinuses to get infected. Some people have a deformity in the nose such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. Others have weak throat and tongue muscles, which can cause them to get in the way of the airway. If you have large tonsils or adenoids, you may snore. There are a number of reasons why people snore, but surgery isn’t the only way to get rid of snoring permanently. There are many non-surgical snoring solutions in Idaho Falls that you can try so that you can get a better night’s rest and reduce the side effects of not sleeping sound through the night. You can:
- Sleep on your side
- Lose a few pounds
- Limit alcohol and sedative use
- Develop good sleep habits
- Keep your nasal passages clear
- Reduce allergens
Sleeping on your side will help to keep your tongue and palate from collapsing. This will prevent them from blocking the airway which causes snoring to occur as you breathe air in.
Losing weight may prevent your airway from getting blocked since you may have gained some extra weight in the neck area.
Alcohol and sedatives reduce the muscle tone in your throat, and if you have weak muscles in this area, you are more prone to snore. You can still indulge from time to time but just be sure that you don’t drink or take sedatives at least five hours prior to bedtime. That way, they won’t interfere with your sleep.
You should also develop good sleep habits. Make sure that you get to bed at a reasonable time so that you can get enough sleep. When you are tired, your body suffers, and so does the muscle tone in the back of your throat, which will cause you to snore. Comfort Sleep Solutions will help you to get on the right track to a life free from snoring, so why wait?
If you are stuffed up due to a cold or allergies, you’ll want to do all that you can to breathe easier before bed. Use a neti pot to clear your sinuses, use a vaporizing rub on your chest or use a nose stip. You can also use a humidifier to get more moisture into the air.
You should also be diligent in your cleaning routine and especially in the bedroom. Wash your bedding regularly and to fluff your pillow and comforter in the dryer every few weeks to prevent dust mites. You should also keep Fido out of your bedroom or at least off of your bed.
What to Do When Non-Surgical Methods Don’t Work
Sometimes snoring can pose a health risk if you have habitual snoring habits. Snoring can cause the heart to become strained, and obstructive sleep apnea may be the result. This will often lead to high blood pressure and possibly the enlargement of the heart. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may be at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
You could experience trouble breathing due to partial or total obstructions of the airway. You may also wake many times throughout the night without realizing it, or you may spend most of the night in a light sleep rather than the necessary deep sleep that your body needs. If you don’t get a good night’s rest, you will probably feel tired and run down. When your body doesn’t get enough rest, you’re at a higher risk of getting sick because your immune system is compromised.
Surgical Methods to Get Rid of Snoring for Good
Non-surgical snoring methods don’t work for everyone, and sometimes it’s necessary to get surgery to get rid of snoring once and for all. You may have a narrow airway or nasal problems. You even have inherited snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, there are a few different surgeries that you can get to correct the issue and to get rid of snoring permanently in Idaho Falls, such as:
- The Pillar Procedure, also known as a Palatal implant – A palatal implant is a minor surgery that involves implanting small plastic rods into the upper palate of your mouth. This helps to strengthen the palate to prevent snoring.
- UPPP or Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty – UPPP involves removing opens up the airway by removing the uvula and other soft tissues.
- Maxillomandibular Advancement or MMA – MMA is a more extensive surgery. Those who get an MMA surgery done will have a facial deformity that can affect breathing but will have a more open airway.
- Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation – Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is an implant that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve that is activated while sleeping, and it knows when a person is not sleeping.
- Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction – Septoplasty and turbinate reduction is a surgery done together and will correct a physical deformity to prevent snoring by straightening tissues in the center of the nose.
- Genioglossus Advancement – Genioglossus advancement will make the tongue more firm and will prevent it from relaxing during sleep
- Hyoid Suspension – Hyoid suspension is the procedure to correct the hyoid bone and will not affect the voice.
- Midline Glossectomy and Lingualplasty – Midline glossectomy and lingualplasty reduces the size of the tongue to increase the size of the airway.
If you have surgery done, you’ll be able to get rid of snoring permanently. Although it’s rare, snoring will sometimes return. As with any type of surgery, you can expect to have a few side effects which may include:
- Change in voice
- Trouble breathing
- Physical discomfort
- Mouth, nose, and throat dryness
- Possible return of snoring
Everyone is different and will experience different side effects, but you can expect to recover in a few weeks after getting the surgery done.