5 Ways to Avoid Snoring

Snoring is often viewed by sufferers as an unavoidable annoyance they simply have to endure. Around 15% of the population snore most nights, yet many people erroneously believe that there is no treatment available that is actually able to stop snoring completely. Luckily for sufferers (and their bed-mates), there are at least 5 snoring solutions that are highly effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of snoring, often to the extent that it is undetectable and no longer affects sleep quality at all. If you snore and you haven’t tried at least a few of these snoring solutions, you are most likely suffering unnecessarily. So read on to discover how your snoring could be treated

1.  Weight Loss

Although patients often hate to hear it, weight loss is one of the most powerfully effective treatments for snoring. Snoring is caused by the partial obstruction of the airway by excessive or loose tissue, which is always more likely to be present in people who are overweight due to excess fatty tissue and poor muscle tone. For many patients, simply losing weight will cause their snoring symptoms to disappear completely. This will have a twofold positive effect on your health; not only will you benefit from losing weight, but your sleep quality and oxygen supply will also increase from the reduction in snoring, giving you more energy, better moods and a better metabolism, ultimately helping you to keep your weight stable.

Positives: Free, highly effective and with multiple health benefits

Negatives: Can be difficult to achieve and may take a long period of time (other treatments can be used to manage snoring while weight loss is in progress)

2.  Positional Therapy

Any spouse of a snorer will tell you that the snoring is always worse when their partner is sleeping on his or her back. This is no coincidence; when you sleep on your back the tissue at the back of your throat relaxes and blocks your airways. If you only snore when you are on your back, you probably only experience mild to medium snoring which can often be treated through positional therapy to prevent you from sleeping on your back. There are a number of devices available to help you sleep in healthier positions without disturbing your sleep or that of your partner. One example is the Night Shift which is worn on the neck and begins to vibrate when you sleep on your back, prompting you to move (much more gently than that sharp elbow to the ribs favoured by the spouses of snorers).

Positives: Cheap and easy to use

Negatives: Only effective for mild to moderate snorers who do not have sleep apnea

3.  Anti Snoring Mouth Guard

The anti snoring mouth guard is a device which works by manually bringing the jaw forward, lifting the soft palate and holding the tongue forward in order to prevent obstruction of the airways. These devices are worn in the mouth during sleep and are very comfortable, invisible and completely silent. While the internet is bursting at the seams with low quality, mass produced mouth guards, the highly effective Mandibular Advancement Splint needs to be customised to suit the mouth of the wearer in order for it to actually work.

Positives: Highly effective, comfortable and silent

Negatives: Must be fitted by a professional and worn every night to prevent snoring

4.  Laser

Laser snoring solutions are new to the Australian market but are used widely and successfully in Europe. Laser light strengthens and tightens the tissue at the back of the throat, tissue that relaxs and obstructs the airway. Laser treatment is the closest thing to an actual ‘cure’ for snoring, as it removes the physical cause of snoring rather than just controlling it during sleep.

Positives: Pain free, surgery free and no need to wear any device during sleep. Greatly diminishes or eliminates the noise level.

Negatives: Prior consultation is needed to see if the patient is suitable for the process. Maintenance treatments are usually required. Efficacy rate is slightly lower than the mouth guard (about 80%)

5.  CPAP Machine

CPAP is the treatment that often springs to mind when they picture snoring solutions. What many people don’t know is just how effective these machines can be in helping people to stop snoring and improving the overall health of mild to severe snorers. The CPAP machine uses mild air pressure (delivered through a mask worn over the face) to keep the airways open. It is typically used to treat people whose snoring is caused by sleep apnea. While this machine is incredibly effective when used properly, it is not the right choice for everybody, as many people find the noise and discomfort of the machine off-putting and actually prefer the snoring (despite the negative health repercussions).

Positives: The most effective snoring treatment available when used consistently

Negatives: Can disturb sleep through discomfort and noise. Requires effort to get comfortable with using.

Lullaby Sleep uses the latest technological advancements to offers customised snoring solutions that really work. We have a number of specialists including dietitians, ENTs, psychologists, cardiologists and physicians to whom we may refer clients to in order to ensure their treatment is holistic and effective. Don’t waste another night of precious sleep – call Lullaby Sleep on 1300375384 to book a consultation today.