It’s a fact snoring affects the sleep of everyone in the room – sometimes even those in nearby rooms! It’s also known to place strains on couples because it causes them to sleep in separate rooms.
Even worse, research suggests that chronic snoring leads to the thickening of carotid arteries and increases the risk of stroke. Keep reading to learn more about treating snoring before it becomes a more severe condition.
The Relationship Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring is the sound produced during sleep when the soft tissues of the upper airway and muscles relax, and air is forced to flow through a narrowed throat. It’s a common condition in both men and women, with studies showing roughly half of each gender snore on a regular basis.
Snoring is also a symptom and sign of a more severe condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. This is when a person experiences shallow breathing or stops breathing for a period of time while sleeping.
Treatment Options for Snoring
There are certain lifestyle modifications to help reduce snoring. These include avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, losing five to ten percent of your body weight, and reducing the use of sedatives and muscle relaxants.
There are also over-the-counter options to help alleviate snoring. These include nasal dilator strips, chin straps, nasal resistance valves, electronic necklaces or belt devices that vibrate when snoring, and oral appliance supplies by ENT specialists.
Over-the-counter options for snoring are not always effective. To ensure the best treatment for snoring, it’s best to discuss possible options such as:
Palatal (Pillar) Implants – This is when rigid fiber implants are surgically placed into the soft palate of your mouth. These implants stiffen the palate, which lessens the vibration that causes snoring. This method offers a fast recovery with mild discomfort. There are times when other modifications need to be made, such as shortening a long palate or the uvula.
Injection Snoreplasty – Using the agent sodium tetradecyl sulfate, this method involves injecting a chemical into the soft palate to cause the tissue to stiffen, decreasing the vibration that causes snoring. This method sometimes requires multiple injections to achieve results.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy – A common cause of snoring are enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Both are mounds and clusters of tissue that are found in the back of the throat and nose.
Nasal Surgery – Allergies, smoking, and structural narrowing all contribute to snoring. To help treat nasal congestion, steroid nasal spray, and other allergy treatments may be performed. Structural problems often require surgical treatment.
Snoring Treatment in Ladys Island
Before turning toward surgical options for snoring, visit your local dentist to discuss possible treatment plans.
Several patients suffering from both snoring and sleep apnea find relief by simply using a custom removal oral appliance. This appliance adjusts the position of your lower jaw and tongue while sleeping.
At Sea Island Dentistry, we create a personalized Mandibular Advancement Device for patients to wear during sleep in order to maintain an open, unobstructed airway when worn while sleeping. During each visit, we ask for you to bring your oral appliance in to ensure it fits properly.
Contact our office today or call 843-986-0157 to schedule an appointment.