Most people think of snoring as a minor nuisance or something to tease a relative about at family gatherings. Occasional snoring is usually not a major health concern, but habitual snoring can lead to other problems such as disrupted sleep patterns and an increased risk of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious health concern that occurs when breathing becomes interrupted for short intervals of time. Since OSA can lead to health problems including poor sleep, fatigue, depression and even heart disease, it's a good idea to take a look at ways to treat and prevent snoring.
Although snoring can happen to anyone, it occurs more frequently in men and those who are overweight. Snoring is caused when the flow of air through the mouth and throat becomes partially obstructed. This can be caused by several different factors, including swollen tissues in the throat from a cold or allergies, relaxed tongue and throat muscles from deep sleep or alcohol consumption, or constricted airways resulting from excess weight in the neck area.
It's important to use caution and check with your physician before using any over-the-counter medications or sprays to treat snoring. In the meantime, there are several ways to naturally treat the symptoms of snoring without medication. Since sleeping on your back can cause the tongue to fall back and partially obstruct the airways, sleeping on your side may help to ease the symptoms of snoring. Although not everyone who snores is overweight, if you've found that gaining excess weight has caused you to start snoring, losing the excess weight may take care of the snoring problem. Since alcohol can trigger snoring symptoms, avoid alcohol at least four hours before bedtime.
A recent study at the Eastern Virginia Medical School found that sleeping with a simple supportive chin strap was also effective in treating the symptoms of OSA. This supportive chin strap is available from a company called MySnoringSolution. It works to keep the airways open by supporting the lower jaw and chin area. The strap is lightweight, breathable and comfortable to wear, making it an affordable and painless alternative to invasive surgery or other types of medical devices. The company says that thousands of people have reported relief of their snoring symptoms, better sleep and improved overall health. The “My Snoring Solution” chin strap comes with a 90-day product guarantee, so there is no risk to you if you aren't completely satisfied with the results!
for Vibrant Health Network
