Treatment Options For Snoring

Snoring can be a stealthy companion, often unnoticed until it disrupts your partner’s sleep or causes other disturbances.

If you’re sleeping alone, it might go unnoticed for years.

Read Also: Things You Can Do To Help You Stop Snoring

But if you do snore, it’s important to understand what symptoms or conditions could be associated with it.

What treatments are most effective? And when should you consult a doctor? Let’s explore these questions and find solutions for managing snoring.

Symptoms Linked to Snoring

Snoring occurs when the tissues in the upper airway vibrate as air flows through the nose and throat, creating sound. While often harmless, snoring can become louder when the airway narrows or collapses during sleep. If the airway becomes obstructed—resulting in drops in blood oxygen levels and disrupted sleep—it can lead to sleep apnea. In fact, snoring and sleep apnea often occur together.

Occasional or mild snoring may not pose a problem but can contribute to issues like dry mouth or worsen due to nasal congestion from colds or allergies. Snoring can also be influenced by sleep position (back sleeping is worst), alcohol consumption, and aging, which reduces muscle tone. In women, menopause can increase both the frequency and severity of snoring.

However, if snoring progresses to sleep apnea, it may be linked to more serious issues like daytime fatigue, frequent nighttime urination, teeth grinding, and other symptoms. Sleep apnea can also increase the risk of health problems like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

For children, chronic snoring is never normal and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Treatment Options for Snoring

Several treatment options are available for snoring, ranging from home remedies to medical interventions.

Here are some solutions to consider:

1. Quit Smoking
   Smoking irritates and inflames the airways, increasing snoring. Quitting smoking can reduce airway swelling and improve overall health. Speak with a healthcare provider about resources and methods to quit, such as counseling or medications.
2. Sleep on Your Side
   Sleeping on your back worsens snoring. Try to sleep on your side, and consider using positional therapy aids, such as a tennis ball sewn into a shirt or specialized devices like Night Shift or Zzoma.
3. Limit Alcohol Intake
   Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles, making snoring worse and increasing the risk of sleep apnea. Avoid alcohol several hours before bedtime.
4. Use Nasal Saline Sprays and Rinses
   Clearing nasal congestion can reduce snoring. Saline sprays or rinses, such as a neti pot or pre-made solutions, help clear out allergens and moisture, improving airflow and reducing snoring.
5. Try Nasal Strips
   Over-the-counter Breathe Right strips can help open nasal passages and reduce snoring by lifting the nasal bridge. However, they may not be comfortable for everyone.
6. Consider Theravent Snore Therapy
   These adhesive strips create pressure in the nostrils to stabilize the airway and reduce snoring. However, the results can be inconsistent, and air may escape if the mouth opens during sleep.
7. Lose Weight
   Extra weight, especially around the neck, can restrict the airway and contribute to snoring and sleep apnea. Losing weight may help improve both conditions.
8. Treat Allergies
   Allergies can cause nasal congestion, worsening snoring. Steroid nasal sprays (such as Flonase or Nasacort) and oral antihistamines (like Allegra or Zyrtec) can help relieve symptoms and reduce snoring.
9. Elevate the Head of Your Bed
   Raising the head of your bed by about 30 degrees helps prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep. You can use an adjustable bed or simply prop your head with pillows or a wedge.
10. Avoid Chinstraps
    Some products claim to help by keeping the mouth closed, but they may interfere with breathing if you need to breathe through your mouth. These are generally not recommended.
11. Practice Tongue Exercises
    Myofunctional therapy, which strengthens the airway muscles, may reduce snoring and sleep apnea severity. However, it requires consistent practice, often 45 minutes per day, which can be challenging for many people.
12. Oral Appliances
    Oral appliances, like mouthguards, shift the lower jaw forward to open the airway. These devices are available over-the-counter or can be custom-made by a dentist, though custom versions can be expensive.
13. CPAP for Sleep Apnea
    For those with both snoring and sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is highly effective. It delivers a steady flow of air to keep the airway open and prevent snoring and airway collapse.
14. Surgical Options
    In certain cases, surgical treatments may be necessary, such as the removal of the uvula or soft palate tissue (UPPP) or the implantation of stabilizing devices. These procedures may only be effective for some people. Other options include nasal surgeries or tonsillectomies in children.

When to See a Doctor

If snoring is disturbing your sleep or you experience symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent awakenings, or difficulty breathing at night, it’s important to consult a doctor or sleep specialist.

They can help determine if your snoring is a sign of a more serious condition like sleep apnea and guide you toward the appropriate treatment options.

By addressing the root causes of snoring, you can improve your sleep quality and overall health, benefiting both you and those around you.