Stop Snoring Now!

Snoring disturbs your own sleep and annoys your partner. It afflicts 25% of men and women younger than 40 and more than 50% of the older population. It is no wonder that there are over 300 products on the market which claim to cure snoring. Unfortunately, most of these products may not work for you. Snoring is caused when the throat relaxes during sleep so that the air flow from breathing causes the throat tissues to vibrate. Other snorers suffer from a serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when the throat constricts during sleep and causes a person to stop breathing. Blocked nasal passages or inherited traits such as a long uvula or floppy soft palette also lead to snoring. The problem faced by snoring consumers is that products to stop snoring may work for one person but not another. Therefore, before purchasing any category of product listed below, you need to determine why you snore, especially since over-the-counter products do not cure sleep apnea. For those who only snore when they sleep on their backs, special shirts or pillows are the least expensive cure. You can either purchase a shirt with a tennis ball sewed into the back, or pin a ball to one of your own shirts. The ball painfully prods you when you roll onto your back during sleep, prompting you to turn to your side. There are also special pillows designed to stop you from rolling onto your back. If changing your sleeping position doesn’t work, and your snoring is not caused by sleep apnea, the most effective non-surgical treatment is a mouthpiece or mouth guard. This appliance will position your tongue and palette so that it provides a larger passage for air flow. Mouthpieces can be purchased on-line, at a drug store, or can be custom made by a dentist. The least effective snoring treatment is any spray which claims to prevent snoring by softening or moistening the throat. Snoring is not caused by a dry throat so the sprays do nothing to stop the problem and may have undesirable side effects. Those relying on natural methods can purchase aromatherapy or acupressure devices although there is no medical evidence that they work. The 10% of individuals whose snoring is caused by blocked nasal passages can choose from external or internal nasal dilators. The least expensive product is the nasal strip, which is a piece of adhesive worn over the bridge of the nose while sleeping. An internal dilator is a flexible piece of plastic which opens the nose from the inside. It effectively decreases snoring volume, but is uncomfortable to use. With all the anti-snoring products on the market, it is tempting to try sprays, gel strips, or magic rings. However, if one wants results, the most effective products to stop snoring are either dental mouthpieces or products designed to help you sleep on your side. If your snoring is caused by blocked nasal passages, nasal dilators can reduce snoring. Other products may have attractive packaging, and alluring testimonials, but only affect your pocketbook, not your snoring.