A cure for snoring sounds wonderful especially to those who suffer from it or sleep with a partner who does. There are many reputed answers that are supposed to cure snoring but do they really work? It’s worthwhile to examine each to see if it will benefit you.
Here are some remedies that are helpful to many:
A throat spray can be used to lubricate the soft tissues of the throat and lessen the noisy vibrations and allowing the air to move more freely inside the throat. There are also some homeopathic sprays available that accomplish the same thing.
Plastic devices or nasal strips are often used to cause nasal dilation that allows clearance of the airways to prevent congestion thereby increasing air flow. This also enhances breathing through the nose instead of the mouth thereby reducing snoring.
Stiffening of the palate by having laser surgery or having chemical injections can lessen snoring because the soft tissue can’t move around as freely thus reducing snoring.
Use of a CPAP or Continuous Positive Airways Pressure machine is worn by some to reduce snoring and improve your breathing. However this can be an uncomfortable oxygen mask that is worn at night and some have difficulty wearing it.
Wristbands are sometimes worn that cause a vibration when the person starts snoring thereby awakening them and encouraging them to turn over and is sometimes helpful.
There are a variety of surgeries that can be performed that include removal of the excess tissue in the throat. There are laser or radio frequency options and there are also surgeries for removal of the tonsils or adenoids. Others are surgeries to the nasal passages for a deviated septum or repair to the tissues. These are obviously more painful and expensive.
New on the market it the FDA approved VitalSleep Anti Snoring Mouthguard. This stop snoring mouthpiece repositions the jaw and acts as a mandiular advacement device to help increase the opening of the airway and as a result stop snoring. It is a very inexpensive and effective snoring remedy.
VitalSleep Anti Snoring Mouthguard
Stop Snoring Mouthguard by VitalSleep
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sleep Disorder Centers & Facilities
Sleep Disorder Centers are facilities that specialize in helping detect and treat sleep disorders. A sleep disorder may be defined as a condition that prevents a person from having a normal restful sleep. Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Sleep-walking, Restless leg syndrome are a few of such conditions.
A sleep disorder center may be organized in any of the following ways;
a) It could be based at a hospital.
b) It could be a part of a University.
c) It also could be a private organization.
There are two types of sleep disorder center. While a Sleep Disorder Center, provides testing and treatment for all sleep related conditions, the other sleep disorder centers are laboratories that focus their energies on sleep related breathing disorders.
The medical director of the sleep disorder center should have proven experience in treating sleep disorders with a good track record. This director would be in charge at the sleep disorder center.
A sleep specialist certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine must be available at the sleep disorder center.
The testing rooms at the the sleep disorder center should provide complete privacy, comfort and security. They should be equipped with all the necessary equipment in good working condition.
Billing and Fees
All billing and fees of the sleep disorder center should comply with the state and federal laws. The cost of the charges, fees and other billing details should be made available to you to help you make a decision.
Insurance
You should check to see that the treatment at the sleep disorder center is covered under your insurance program. Many of the insurance services would prefer to see if the sleep disorder center is accredited by them before they cover the costs of the treatment.
A few factors to consider to identify the best sleep disorder center that suits your requirements
1. Location
Identify a sleep disorder center that has a minimum impact on your daily life style in terms of travel and time.
2.Quality
Quality of the services provided by the sleep disorder center is extremely important.
3. Recommendations
Ask around to check if there are any persons who would vouch for the sleep disorder center that is on your list. Recommendations can tell you whether you can get along with sleep disorder center on a personal level. Your friends, family, and other associates who may have had experiences with the sleep disorder center will be able to help you with making a decision.
A sleep disorder center may be organized in any of the following ways;
a) It could be based at a hospital.
b) It could be a part of a University.
c) It also could be a private organization.
There are two types of sleep disorder center. While a Sleep Disorder Center, provides testing and treatment for all sleep related conditions, the other sleep disorder centers are laboratories that focus their energies on sleep related breathing disorders.
The medical director of the sleep disorder center should have proven experience in treating sleep disorders with a good track record. This director would be in charge at the sleep disorder center.
A sleep specialist certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine must be available at the sleep disorder center.
The testing rooms at the the sleep disorder center should provide complete privacy, comfort and security. They should be equipped with all the necessary equipment in good working condition.
Billing and Fees
All billing and fees of the sleep disorder center should comply with the state and federal laws. The cost of the charges, fees and other billing details should be made available to you to help you make a decision.
Insurance
You should check to see that the treatment at the sleep disorder center is covered under your insurance program. Many of the insurance services would prefer to see if the sleep disorder center is accredited by them before they cover the costs of the treatment.
A few factors to consider to identify the best sleep disorder center that suits your requirements
1. Location
Identify a sleep disorder center that has a minimum impact on your daily life style in terms of travel and time.
2.Quality
Quality of the services provided by the sleep disorder center is extremely important.
3. Recommendations
Ask around to check if there are any persons who would vouch for the sleep disorder center that is on your list. Recommendations can tell you whether you can get along with sleep disorder center on a personal level. Your friends, family, and other associates who may have had experiences with the sleep disorder center will be able to help you with making a decision.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
How a Sinus Affection Can Affect Snoring?
Often when we get a sinus infection it can increase the chances of snoring or make it worse if you are already a snorer. Because a sinus infection can be painful and interrupt your sleep it is important to get medical treatment from a physician to ensure that you get rid of the sinus infection quickly before it worsens.
Many times you can alleviate the effects of the sinus affection by simply doing what the doctor says – take your medications prescribed by the physician or use decongestants to combat the effects. Before bedtime, take a warm bath or shower so that the moisture of the hot water will help to drain the sinuses and get rid of the mucus buildup.
The use of nasal rinses that will flush out mucus, pollutants, and allergens and will help to clear the passages. Another recommendation is to use a nasal dilator strip that will open up the nostrils and ease the snoring. The strip is placed over the bridge of the nose and comes in a menthol formulation which will also aid in clearing the sinuses.
Sleep with your head raised at least 4 inches so that the drainage from your sinuses will not send mucus down your throat to block the air passages thereby contributing to snoring and restless sleep and discomfort. Sleeping on your side will help to align the muscles of your throat and neck which will ease the snoring as well.
The clearing or alleviation of clogging of your nasal passages will allow you to continue to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth which also contributes to snoring. When your nose is full of mucus it narrows the airways with resultant snoring. The more you can do to reduce the sinus infection and its symptoms the less chance you will have of snoring and having restless sleep.
Many times you can alleviate the effects of the sinus affection by simply doing what the doctor says – take your medications prescribed by the physician or use decongestants to combat the effects. Before bedtime, take a warm bath or shower so that the moisture of the hot water will help to drain the sinuses and get rid of the mucus buildup.
The use of nasal rinses that will flush out mucus, pollutants, and allergens and will help to clear the passages. Another recommendation is to use a nasal dilator strip that will open up the nostrils and ease the snoring. The strip is placed over the bridge of the nose and comes in a menthol formulation which will also aid in clearing the sinuses.
Sleep with your head raised at least 4 inches so that the drainage from your sinuses will not send mucus down your throat to block the air passages thereby contributing to snoring and restless sleep and discomfort. Sleeping on your side will help to align the muscles of your throat and neck which will ease the snoring as well.
The clearing or alleviation of clogging of your nasal passages will allow you to continue to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth which also contributes to snoring. When your nose is full of mucus it narrows the airways with resultant snoring. The more you can do to reduce the sinus infection and its symptoms the less chance you will have of snoring and having restless sleep.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Bed Wetting in Children?
If your child is suffering from sleep apnea, it is not uncommon to have the child start having bedwetting episodes as a result of this sleep disorder. The degree of sleep apnea varies with the individual but most of them have a significant snoring problem.
Generally they stop breathing for more than ten seconds that is followed by a partial wakefulness or gasp and then begin snoring again. Many times the snoring is caused by breathing through the mouth due to a blockage in the air passages. Research has shown that more than half of those children who had more than one breathing pause per hour were likely to experience bedwetting.
Although it is not entirely clear why the chronic bedwetting occurs it is suggested that because they are not getting a restful night’s sleep their ability to arouse themselves when their bladders are full lessens because they are so tired. Another reason could be that the snoring puts increased pressure on the bladder and could even increase urine production.
Many times the child has enlarged adenoids or tonsils and surgery to remove them will alleviate the snoring or sleep apnea problem and at the same time lessen the occurrences of bedwetting.
Bedwetting is very common in preschool age children even without the sleep apnea problem but as they grow older the occurrences of bedwetting generally become fewer until the problem eventually goes away. However, some children do not outgrow it and these should be seen by a physician to determine the root cause of the bedwetting.
As a child gets older the bedwetting becomes more and more embarrassing so it is imperative that the child get help as the longer it goes on, the worse it can get making it more and more difficult to remedy the situation.
Generally they stop breathing for more than ten seconds that is followed by a partial wakefulness or gasp and then begin snoring again. Many times the snoring is caused by breathing through the mouth due to a blockage in the air passages. Research has shown that more than half of those children who had more than one breathing pause per hour were likely to experience bedwetting.
Although it is not entirely clear why the chronic bedwetting occurs it is suggested that because they are not getting a restful night’s sleep their ability to arouse themselves when their bladders are full lessens because they are so tired. Another reason could be that the snoring puts increased pressure on the bladder and could even increase urine production.
Many times the child has enlarged adenoids or tonsils and surgery to remove them will alleviate the snoring or sleep apnea problem and at the same time lessen the occurrences of bedwetting.
Bedwetting is very common in preschool age children even without the sleep apnea problem but as they grow older the occurrences of bedwetting generally become fewer until the problem eventually goes away. However, some children do not outgrow it and these should be seen by a physician to determine the root cause of the bedwetting.
As a child gets older the bedwetting becomes more and more embarrassing so it is imperative that the child get help as the longer it goes on, the worse it can get making it more and more difficult to remedy the situation.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Insomnia and It's Relationship to Sleep Apnea
Insomnia is the inability to maintain or initiate sleep and can be attributed to not enough sleep or sleep that is of poor quality with constant interruptions - for instance someone who snores or has sleep apnea. Up to 50% of the population suffers from insomnia at some time or another, however about 10% are plagued with this malady most of the time making it a chronic problem for them.
Insomnia can affect people of all ages but generally it is usually adults and it tends to increase as people age with women more affected than men. Some people experience insomnia for medical reasons or because of stress so that it might be short-lived while others experience it often. Those who have insomnia for more than three weeks are considered chronic cases.
Situations that can bring on insomnia include working alternate shifts like a night shift when they have always worked during the day before. Others might be affected when they are exposed to hot or cold temperatures making their physical discomfort affect their sleep. Other triggers for insomnia could be jet lag or sleeping in an unfamiliar environment. Stress plays a big role if you are going through a divorce or have any life changing events.
Medical conditions, medications, hunger or eating a large meal or taking caffeine prior to bedtime can cause insomnia along with alcohol. Urinary problems that cause frequent urination or other physiological conditions can contribute to insomnia. Restless leg syndrome is another cause as it is difficult to lie still and maintain sleep.
Those who suffer sleep apnea or frequent snoring that causes interruptions throughout the night can cause insomnia because it might constantly wake you up and then prove difficult to return to sleep. It is important to understand the reasons for your insomnia so that you can consult a physician and determine the best solution to handle the problem.
Insomnia can affect people of all ages but generally it is usually adults and it tends to increase as people age with women more affected than men. Some people experience insomnia for medical reasons or because of stress so that it might be short-lived while others experience it often. Those who have insomnia for more than three weeks are considered chronic cases.
Situations that can bring on insomnia include working alternate shifts like a night shift when they have always worked during the day before. Others might be affected when they are exposed to hot or cold temperatures making their physical discomfort affect their sleep. Other triggers for insomnia could be jet lag or sleeping in an unfamiliar environment. Stress plays a big role if you are going through a divorce or have any life changing events.
Medical conditions, medications, hunger or eating a large meal or taking caffeine prior to bedtime can cause insomnia along with alcohol. Urinary problems that cause frequent urination or other physiological conditions can contribute to insomnia. Restless leg syndrome is another cause as it is difficult to lie still and maintain sleep.
Those who suffer sleep apnea or frequent snoring that causes interruptions throughout the night can cause insomnia because it might constantly wake you up and then prove difficult to return to sleep. It is important to understand the reasons for your insomnia so that you can consult a physician and determine the best solution to handle the problem.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Common Causes for Snoring and Possible Solutions
Snoring is a malady that afflicts most everyone at some time or other in their lifetime. Children can suffer from it – some chronically and adults certainly snore for a variety of reasons. Some snore for a short period of time such as a woman during pregnancy because of weight gain, while others are subjected to its disturbance of their sleep and others throughout their life.
Snoring in children often occurs when a tonsil or adenoids are enlarged thereby causing a blockage in their air passages. It is therefore quite common to have surgeries performed to remove the adenoids and/or the tonsils to alleviate the symptoms of snoring and very often it does remedy the situation.
The cause of snoring for most people is breathing through their mouth when they are sleeping. The muscles in your throat relax and often your tongue drops down into the air passage causing blockage. This can result in a noise because the narrower passages make it more difficult to breathe and the muscles begin to vibrate.
Each person’s snore is different in tone, pitch and loudness as it is all based on the size of the individual, their weight and medical or health factors that might affect their breathing. Other things that affect your breathing and cause snoring can be medications or a cold or allergy that causes you to breathe through your mouth instead of your nose.
Cures for snoring can range from something as simple as changing to sleeping on your side instead of your back or raising your head with a pillow to more serious remedies that involve surgeries but there are many options in between with over the counter remedies and those that are not that costly. Snoring does not have to ruin your marriage but it takes time and effort to seek solutions.
Snoring in children often occurs when a tonsil or adenoids are enlarged thereby causing a blockage in their air passages. It is therefore quite common to have surgeries performed to remove the adenoids and/or the tonsils to alleviate the symptoms of snoring and very often it does remedy the situation.
The cause of snoring for most people is breathing through their mouth when they are sleeping. The muscles in your throat relax and often your tongue drops down into the air passage causing blockage. This can result in a noise because the narrower passages make it more difficult to breathe and the muscles begin to vibrate.
Each person’s snore is different in tone, pitch and loudness as it is all based on the size of the individual, their weight and medical or health factors that might affect their breathing. Other things that affect your breathing and cause snoring can be medications or a cold or allergy that causes you to breathe through your mouth instead of your nose.
Cures for snoring can range from something as simple as changing to sleeping on your side instead of your back or raising your head with a pillow to more serious remedies that involve surgeries but there are many options in between with over the counter remedies and those that are not that costly. Snoring does not have to ruin your marriage but it takes time and effort to seek solutions.
UPPP to Treat Snoring and Sleep Apnea - Does Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Work?
Some people seek treatment for sleep apnea or snoring with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery or UPPP as it is often referred to. This hard to pronounce surgery entails the removal of the soft palate and the uvula. Often your tonsils are removed at the same time if you still have them.
The soft palate is in front of the uvula on the roof of the mouth and the uvula is the tissue that hangs down the back of the throat. This surgery, like any other, is not without its risks but it is quite a routine procedure today.
A general anesthesia is used – either a gas through a face mask or an endotracheal tube placed in your mouth and throat or a liquid IV. After the surgery a tracheostomy tube might be inserted through your nose or your mouth to keep the airway open. The tube would be removed once the swelling has subsided.
Recovery usually takes several days and you will do breathing exercises as deep breathing will open the tubes to your lungs. Coughing will bring up any sputum and keep your lungs clear although it will be painful at first to do these exercises. You might also need CPAP therapy which is a breathing device that you will wear at night to make your breathing easier and prevent your airways from closing up.
This surgery is usually recommended for those who have excess tissue in their nose or throat or mouth that contributes to blockage of the airways. Some people have already tried using the CPAP to assist in the sleep apnea while others want to try surgery to alleviate the snoring. It is suggested that 40-60% of people who have the UPPP surgery find some relief if not complete improvement of their symptoms. This is not usually done on children as removal of the tonsils or adenoids is usually the procedure used on them.
The soft palate is in front of the uvula on the roof of the mouth and the uvula is the tissue that hangs down the back of the throat. This surgery, like any other, is not without its risks but it is quite a routine procedure today.
A general anesthesia is used – either a gas through a face mask or an endotracheal tube placed in your mouth and throat or a liquid IV. After the surgery a tracheostomy tube might be inserted through your nose or your mouth to keep the airway open. The tube would be removed once the swelling has subsided.
Recovery usually takes several days and you will do breathing exercises as deep breathing will open the tubes to your lungs. Coughing will bring up any sputum and keep your lungs clear although it will be painful at first to do these exercises. You might also need CPAP therapy which is a breathing device that you will wear at night to make your breathing easier and prevent your airways from closing up.
This surgery is usually recommended for those who have excess tissue in their nose or throat or mouth that contributes to blockage of the airways. Some people have already tried using the CPAP to assist in the sleep apnea while others want to try surgery to alleviate the snoring. It is suggested that 40-60% of people who have the UPPP surgery find some relief if not complete improvement of their symptoms. This is not usually done on children as removal of the tonsils or adenoids is usually the procedure used on them.
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