Treat Snoring Without Surgery

If you or a loved one snores from the mouth, find out how to treat the condition without surgery.

Some snoring can be stopped by changing sleeping positions or making lifestyle changes such as exercising and losing weight. There are also products on the market like sprays, mouth guards and nasal strips that can help decrease snoring. Surgery is often not necessary because people with mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea usually don't have underlying health problems that would cause problems if they underwent surgery.

The Mayo Clinic has been studying this topic for years and recently published a paper in which they summarize what we know about treating mild, moderate and severe sleep apnea cases without surgery [1].

The most common types of sleep apnea usually require surgical treatment. Sleep apnea can cause people to wake up several times during the night, which can make it hard for them to fall back asleep, lead to fatigue and increase their risk for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Sleep apnea is caused by lack of oxygen in the lungs. The airway muscles around the throat close off during sleep and keep breathing from happening, even while people are sleeping. They don't fully relax even when they're asleep and this results in a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood and interrupted breathing that causes pauses in oxygen intake.

The severity of sleep apnea varies between individuals. The most severe cases need treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine.

Some people respond to lifestyle changes that include losing weight and exercising more. Losing weight can help improve blood-sugar levels, which may also help in decreasing snoring. A high-fiber diet can also help lessen the symptoms. Sleep apnea has been linked to poor sleep quality because people with the condition tend to take shallower breaths or breathe into their upper chest, instead of their abdomen, during sleep [2]. This can lead to a higher, more frequent need for breathing.

Another lifestyle change that may help is to avoid alcohol and tobacco. Snoring often happens when people drink or smoke too much alcohol, causing a temporary blockage in the airway or narrowing of the throat. If a person drinks or smokes too often, sleep apnea may be a condition that increases their risk for cardiovascular problems [3].

And if you do end up having surgery, know that good results are possible even without treatment after surgery. If you're highly obese, you've had weight loss surgery in the past and still have sleep apnea, your chances of getting good results from surgery are better than average.

Women with mild to moderate sleep apnea may not benefit from surgery. It's not clear if the effects of surgery in women are different than they are in men, and if they are, exactly why.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include sudden muscle tenseness, daytime drowsiness and fatigue, irritability, snoring and mouth breathing during the night. It's important to talk with your doctor about what causes your sleep apnea and any medicines or medical conditions you have that may be contributing.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/sleep-disorders/slee...

Sleeping apnea can cause sleepiness and irritability for some people. If your snoring is louder than usual, you should call your doctor.

Snoring may be one of the biggest reasons why people visit their doctor, but more often than not, it's not a health problem in need of treatment. Snoring can be caused by excess tissue in the throat, a physical obstruction of the airways or poor air flow due to excess soft tissue in the throat [5]. Treatment can help with symptoms such as sleepiness and daytime snoring.

It's often not clear why people who snore aren't bothered by the noise. Some people become used to the sound after experiencing it for many years, while others simply don't mind it. There are, however, situations when someone who snores may have a legitimate health problem and should seek medical treatment.

Health problems that cause snoring include:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – When you breathe in during sleep, the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat can collapse, blocking airflow and causing loud snoring as well as pauses in breathing. OSA affects millions of people [6].

Conclusion:

If a person snores loudly at night and has other symptoms of sleep apnea, it's wise to get checked out by a healthcare professional.

If you're taking certain medications, some sleep problems may be side effects. Common drugs that can cause or worsen sleep problems include:

Amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine) – These medications may make insomnia worse [8].

Antidepressants (Lexapro) – Some antidepressants may cause insomnia or daytime drowsiness [9]. Other medications are available that don't have these side effects [10]. Always talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any medication. Pay attention to side effects and report them if they become bothersome.