Snoring is a hoarse sound that occurs when the upper airway tissue of an individual vibrates while sleeping. It is a common issue that impacts various people. Typically, some home remedies can cure common and non-serious snoring in people. But if those remedies do not work and you have sleep apnea, you need to see the doctor so that you understand what causes snoring and proper medical treatment.
What Causes Snoring?
Here are some causes of snoring:
Age:
When you reach middle age, the throat often becomes narrower. So, your muscle tone in the throat decreases eventually. Although you cannot do anything about it while growing older, some bedtime routines, lifestyle changes and throat exercises can help prevent snoring.
Your Physical Built:
Men’s body structure has narrower air passages than women’s. So, males are more likely to snore than females. The narrow throat passage, enlarged adenoids, a cleft palate and other physical characteristics can lead to snoring. Most of these attributes are hereditary. While you cannot control your gender or build, regular throat and bedtime exercises may help.
Nasal and Sinus Problems:
A stuffy nose or blocked airways can also make inhalation difficult. It creates a vacuum in one’s throat, leading to snoring.
Sleep Posture:
When a person sleeps flat on their back, it leads the throat flesh to relax and block the airway during sleep.
Smoking, Medications and Alcohol:
Frequent alcohol intake, medications like tranquillizers and smoking can cause relaxation in the throat muscle, which further leads to snoring.
Ways to Alleviate Snoring
Here are some non-surgical and surgical ways to alleviate snoring:
I. Non-surgical Ways
A doctor may suggest treatments to improve posture and open airways while sleeping. Some of these remedies to alleviate snoring include:
- Medications: Allergy and cold medication may help cure nasal congestion while allowing free breathing.
- Lifestyle Changes: It’s best to avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime. Also, change the sleep position while making sure to maintain a healthy weight to reduce snoring.
- Oral Appliances: Wearing some oral appliances like a mouthpiece can help keep the jaw in a better portion to ensure better airflow and avoid snoring.
- Nasal Strips: These flexible bands can stick outside the nose and keep your nasal passages open.
II. Surgical Treatments
If your snoring condition is serious or you are facing sleep apnea due to this, it’s time to see a doctor for proper surgical treatment. Here are some effective sleep apnea treatments:
Radiofrequency Ablation:
This treatment, also called Somnoplasty, uses radio frequency energy for shrinking excessive tissue from the tongue and soft palate.
Laser-assisted Uvulapalatoplasty (LAUP):
This treatment helps decrease the tissue in the soft palate while improving proper nasal airflow.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy:
In this treatment, the surgeon often removes extra tissue from the throat’s back (tonsillectomy) or the back of the nose (adenoidectomy).
Septoplasty:
It helps straighten the deviated septum in the nose. This treatment is best for improving airflow through the nose while reshaping the nose bone and cartilage.
Summary
Generally, snoring occurs when airway tissues start vibrating during sleep. It may occur for different reasons. Regular snoring indicates a medical condition that is easy to cure with non-surgical and surgical treatments. It is best to consult a doctor for the best snoring treatment for you.
