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Jewish World Review
Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Steps Can Be Taken to Reduce 'Ordinary' Snoring
By
Sean Caples, D.O.
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JewishWorldReview.com |
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Recently, my wife said that my loud snoring has
gotten worse and keeps her up at night. I was tested and thankfully do
not have sleep apnea. What else could cause me to snore so loudly? Is
there anything I can do to lessen the snoring?
ANSWER: Snoring has gotten a lot of attention in recent years due to
its link to obstructive sleep apnea. Indeed, it's often recommended
that loud, frequent snorers be tested to rule out this harmful
problem.
Unlike sleep apnea, in which you actually stop breathing, ordinary
snoring doesn't appear to harm your health. Still, many people
appropriately seek treatment for snoring because it can cause
embarrassment and, as you mention, can seriously disrupt the rest of a
sleep partner.
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As you doze off and progress from light to deeper sleep, your tongue
relaxes, as do the soft tissues of your throat and the roof of your
mouth (soft palate). These tissues can sag into the airway, causing it
to narrow. As inhaled or exhaled air is forced through the smaller
opening, the relaxed tissues of the soft palate vibrate, resulting in
snoring.
Steps you can take to reduce snoring take aim at the many factors that
can contribute to a more narrowed airway. These factors include:
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Being overweight or obese. Extra bulk in your mouth and throat
narrow your airway. Losing weight can improve snoring.
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Alcohol consumption. This can cause excessive relaxation of muscles
and tissues around your throat. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages at
least four hours before bed.
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Nasal obstruction. Upstream factors such as nasal obstruction can
cause problems downstream, such as air flow at the level of the
throat. Your doctor may suggest a range of therapies for obstructed
nasal passages, such as adhesive nasal strips or corticosteroid nasal
sprays.
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Sleep position. Lying on your back allows your tongue to sag and
narrow your airway. A number of techniques can be used to train
yourself to sleep on your side.
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Your mouth anatomy. Features such as large tonsils can obstruct your
airway. Surgical removal of an obvious obstruction is likely to
improve snoring.
Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of snoring, possibly
through toxic effects on the airway lining or muscles. People who stop
smoking have lower rates of snoring than do active smokers.
Medical devices can significantly reduce snoring, but they can be
costly. Because you're a snorer who doesn't have sleep apnea, be sure
to look carefully at the costs of treatment options, as many insurance
plans don't cover them.
The most effective treatment for snoring is a continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This delivers pressurized air through
a mask, keeping your upper airway open during sleep. One downside is
that some people have difficulty adjusting to wearing a mask at night.
Oral appliances available from specially trained dentists or
orthodontists are designed to keep your throat open. They can reduce
the frequency and intensity of snoring and may be a less obtrusive
option than a CPAP machine.
Several surgical procedures are available to help reduce snoring,
either by cutting away excess mouth and throat tissue or by stiffening
tissues of the soft palate to prevent vibration and sagging.
But surgery is usually considered a last resort for snoring because
it's costly and can cause side effects or complications. -- Sean
Caples, D.O., Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic, Rochester,
Minnesota
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