Whether it is a minor case of snoring or one of the more severe sleep apnea problems, snoring is a major issue of concern. Most all snoring issues can go from a minor irritation for others in the household, to a dangerous problem for the snorer.
There are several reasons due to which people snore from time to time. Most of the time, the minor snoring can be eliminated without too many worries or efforts to resolve. But, if you are beyond the occasional minor snoring and are dealing with a heavier snoring – the symptoms just before the serious issue of sleep apnea, then serious measures need to be taken. The most common would be choosing one of the many anti-snoring products that can be purchased over-the-counter.
During snoring episodes, the oxygen flow to the brain is being interrupted. The more interruptions of air flow that happens, the more you will be awakened throughout the night. When our bodies are continuously missing too much sleep, issues of sleep deprivation eventually set in. No matter what level of snoring you have, it is very important to resolve the problem for yourself and your loved ones. Sleep deprivation will over a very short period of time, cause problems with normal everyday health and body functioning. When snoring continues over a long period, you tend to miss a lot on restful sleep leading to other health risks. Snoring and sleep deprivation has now been linked to weight problems, mood swings, depression and heart disease.
One of first steps to take when snoring becomes a problem is to avoid all alcoholic beverages and any other types of depressants or sedatives that would directly have any effect upon the body's central nervous system. If you do have an occasional alcoholic beverage, make sure that it is consumed several hours before going to bed, not right before bed time, and limit any alcohol consumption to only one or two drinks.
By changing some of the ways you lay in bed when sleeping, can make a difference in your snoring problem. Use a few extra pillows to slightly raise your upper body. Raise the top head area of your bed with some bricks or boards between the mattress and frame section to change the level. Do not lay flat on your back while sleeping but lay on your side instead. If there are problems staying in that position throughout the night, hold a thick pillow next to you for help in staying on your side. Since sleeping on your back or in a flat level position can contribute to direct obstruction of your air flow, these are ways to lesson the obstruction of the air passages.
Snoring is also related to allergies, so gargling with peppermint mouthwash right before bed will shrink the lining of your nose and throat, letting you breathe easily. Keep floors vacuumed and sheets changed often. Over the counter nasal strips are one of the common anti-snoring products that are worn on top of your nose to open up the airway passages for better air flow throughout the night.
With the mild to medium cases of snoring directly related to the incurable sleep apnea disease, there may be a need for more than one solution in curing your snoring problem. There are several good over the counter anti-snoring products that can be purchased for a better night's sleep. For better snoring remedies, you can even search online and find some products that really work. With the more severe cases, there may be a need to consult a doctor for recommendations of testing with a sleep specialist.
By Dr. Anita Choudhary
