SNORING SOLUTIONS IN UTAH

Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea and other sleeping problems. Let us find a solution that works for you.

What is Snoring?

Snoring is caused by an obstruction of the air passageways. When you are asleep, the muscles in the throat relax, causing the tongue to fall backward. This relaxes the throat and makes it narrower and ‘floppier’. When this happens, and you breathe, it will cause a vibration in the walls of the throat. These vibrations cause the loud and unpleasant sound of snoring. This mostly occurs when you inhale, but it can happen to a lesser extent when you exhale as well.

Sometimes the walls of the throat will collapse all the way, causing the airways to become completely closed. This blockage of the airways is what is known as sleep apnea, causing a person to cease breathing completely. Sleep apnea can obviously be quite serious and if severe will require medical attention.

DID YOU KNOW?

Approximately 40% of men and

24% of women snore on a

regular basis

AND

Louder snorers are more likely to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

How Can I Stop Snoring?

It’s best to consult with a sleep doctor to determine the severity of your snoring. If you only have the occasional mild snoring but feel refreshed upon waking, and it does not affect your day-to-day functioning, you can try some of these methods on your own:

Avoid tranquilizers, antihistamines and sleeping pills before bed
Lose weight
Establish regular sleep patterns
Avoid alcohol for a minimum of four hours before bed
Do not eat for three hours before going to bed
Sleep on your side instead of on your back

When to Talk to Your Doctor

You should consult with a sleep specialist if you snore and notice any of the following signs or symptoms:

Headaches in the morning
Excessive sleepiness during the day
Recent weight gain
Awakening during the night feeling confused
Waking up in the morning not feeling rested
Changes in your levels of concentration, attention or memory
Any pauses in breathing that occurs while you are sleeping (your partner may be more aware of this than you are)

If your doctor thinks that your snoring is not a sign of a more serious problem, then an oral appliance may be prescribed. This can help quieten your snoring as well as improve the quality of your bed partner’s sleep.

Causes of Snoring

When the airway to your mouth and nose is closed, snoring occurs. Airflow can be hampered by a number of causes, including:

• Nasal airways that are blocked. Some folks only snore during allergy season or when they have a sinus infection. Your airways can also become blocked by issues with your nose, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum (when the wall separating one nostril from the other is out of alignment).

• Your tongue and throat have weak muscles. Too much relaxation of the throat and tongue muscles might cause them to collapse into your airway.

• Throat tissue that is bulky. This may occur as a result of being overweight. Some young children snore because they have big tonsils and adenoids.

• Uvula or a long, soft palate. The space between your nose and neck may become smaller if you have a lengthy soft palate or uvula (the hanging tissue in the back of your mouth). This causes them to vibrate and bump into one another while you breathe, obstructing your airway.

• Drug and alcohol abuse. Your tongue and throat muscles may become overly relaxed if you consume alcohol or use muscle relaxants.

• Sleeping posture. Snoring is a side effect of sleeping on your back. Using a pillow that is excessively soft or big might also cause problems.

• Lack of sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, your throat muscles may relax too much.

Diagnoses and Treatments for Snoring

The person who informs you that you snore might be your partner. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms both of you.

In order to check for conditions that could obstruct your airways, such as persistent nasal congestion brought on by rhinitis or sinusitis, a deviated septum, or swollen tonsils, your doctor will also inquire about your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Some snoring remedies are:

• Lifestyle modifications.

• You can be advised by your doctor to cut back on alcohol consumption before bed, quit smoking, or lose weight.

• Surgery. Snoring can be stopped with a variety of techniques. The tissues in your throat could be removed, or shrunk, by your doctor.

• CPAP. A continuous positive airway pressure device addresses sleep apnea and may lessen snoring by pushing air into your airways while you're asleep.

• Oral appliances. While you sleep, you have a little plastic device in your mouth. By moving your mouth or tongue, keeping your airways open.

If you are seeking mild or severe snoring solutions call and book an appointment to come speak with us, we offer sleep apnea treatment in Utah. We will evaluate you and discuss sleep apnea snoring solutions including oral appliances for sleep apnea.

Stop suffering from poor sleep. Find out how we can help.

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