Five Alternatives to Surgery for Your Snoring

Snoring is an unfortunate condition that plagues many of us. Approximately half of all people will snore at some point throughout their lives, with more than a quarter of adult women and upwards of 40 percent of adult men snoring on a nightly basis.

Uncontrolled snoring leads to a wide range of undesirable physical, medical, mental, and social outcomes. People who snore are more likely to have high blood pressure and be obese than those who do not snore. They are more likely to have severe breathing issues and may stop breathing altogether for short periods during the night time.

The tiredness that results from prolonged nighttime snoring can mean exhaustion, anxiety, depression, difficulties functioning at work, and an increased rate of accidents when operating traffic and heavy equipment. Relationships with loved ones can become strained if snoring prevents them from sleeping or if tiredness and lack of attention take effect.

It is for these reasons that people turn to surgery out of desperation to help them stop snoring for good. Though surgery may be indicated in a small percentage of snoring cases, it is not appropriate for most people who snore and also comes with a risk of infection and other complications. Fortunately, there are alternatives to surgery that are equally effective and fewer risks.

Tongue Retaining Devices

Tongue retaining devices (TRDs) are one popular and highly effective means of reducing snoring. Essentially, they are worn during sleep and pull the tongue forward and down within the mouth to keep the space in the back of the mouth where air enters and leaves the trachea.

If occlusion of the airway causes your snoring by the tongue, a TRD may be a highly effective device to solve your snoring problem for good.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a medical intervention that can help people with obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP involves the use of a machine that pushes a continuous flow of air through the mouth or the nose to the lungs as you sleep.

In obstructive sleep apnea, the throat and anatomical structures of the upper airway collapse in and prevent air from moving in and out of the lungs. CPAP provides gentle pressure to open the airway and allow an ongoing flow of air directly into the lungs. A physician or sleep specialist can help determine if you will benefit from CPAP therapy and select a machine that is best for you.

Mandibular Adjustment Device

A mandibular adjustment device (MAD) is among the most effective means of snoring cessation. This type of appliance helps to gently readjust the jaw (mandible) to provide for optimal alignment of the jaw and upper airway and prevent the airway occlusion that results in the sound of snoring.

One of the most effective MADs on the market today is the SnoreRx stop snoring mouthpiece, as evidenced by the SnoreRx reviews. This device is adjustable in one-millimeter segments to ensure a comfortable fit and has a large hole in the front to promote optimal air flow. It is also FDA approved and BPA and latex free to ensure safe use.

Weight Loss

Weight loss is often recommended by physicians and other health care professionals when a person comes into their office for the first time asking about why they snore and how they can stop.

After all, obesity is among the largest contributing factors to obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is one of the major contributing factors of most moderate to severe cases of snoring.

By losing weight, you reduce the pressure that is placed on your lungs, bronchi, and the upper airway, making it easier for air to pass in and out of the lungs. If you are currently overweight or obese, losing weight will make it easier for you to breathe and reducing the incidence of snoring and apneic periods in the process.

Positioning

Most of us have one position in which we are most comfortable when sleeping. However, when it comes to sleep apnea and snoring, some positions are clearly better than others.

Physicians and sleep experts agree that lying on your back is the worst position for effective airflow through the upper airway into the lungs, because the tongue and upper airway structures collapse inwards and cause snoring.

Sleeping on your side is the best position for optimal airflow entry and reduced snoring. This position allows the airway to open and prevents occlusion by the tongue, cheeks, and other upper airway structures.

Recall that many of these interventions can be used together. Some people might have great success combining weight loss with using a mandibular adjustment device, while others might do better with a tongue restraining device used in conjunction with changing position to sleep on their side. You may have to experiment with different strategies and devices to find what will work best for you.