What is the actual snoring?

Snoring occurs when air does not move freely through the mouth or nose. The soft tissues of the mouth, nose, and throat collide with each other and vibrate when the air moves in a congested area. A rattle, snoring, or moaning sound is produced by vibration.

Snoring makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Loud and persistent (chronic) snoring is a sign of a dangerous condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring can be prevented or reduced with a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatments.

What is the prevalence of snoring?

Snoring is a very common occurrence. Snoring is something that almost everyone does at some point in their lives. It most often occurs in overweight or obese men over the age of 50.

Snoring occurs for a variety of reasons.

When you inhale, the air is pushed through your nose, mouth, and throat. When you drive air through a narrow airway, tissues such as the soft palate (behind the roof of the mouth), tonsils, adenoids, and tongues vibrate with each other. Vibrations produce a rattling, bursting sound. Airflow can be obstructed by various conditions and factors. Here are some of them:

• Alcohol and other narcotics relax the muscles, thereby restricting airflow.
• Examples of enlarged adenoids, tonsils, or heavy soft tissue of the tongue.
• Excess body *** clogs the airways and puts pressure on the soft tissues.
• Hormones produced during pregnancy promote inflammation in the nose.
• Muscle weakness and decreased muscle tone in the mouth, nose, and throat.
• Nasal congestion and inflammation can be caused by colds, flu, allergies, or airborne irritants.
• Differences in the structure of the mouth, nose, or throat reduce the size of the airways.

What are the non-surgical snoring treatments?

Your doctor may recommend treatments to increase your posture or dilate your airways while you sleep. Snoring treatment includes:

Snoring can be reduced by avoiding alcohol before bedtime, adjusting sleeping posture, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Medications: Cold and allergy medications can help you breathe more easily by reducing nasal congestion.

Nasal strips are thin, flexible bands that stick to the outside of your nose and keep your nasal passages open.

What are the surgical options for treating snoring?

Surgery may be used to correct snoring and sleep-disordered breathing, in some cases to shrink or remove excess tissue, or to correct a structural defect. Most of these treatments are non-invasive. Small incisions are used by your doctor and you can go home the same day. The following methods are used to treat snoring:

LAUP (laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty): LAUP increases airflow by compressing the soft palate tissue.

Radiofrequency ablation, also known as somnoplasty, is a treatment that uses radiofrequency radiation to compress the extra tissue in the soft palate and tongue.

Septoplasty is nasal surgery that straightens a deviated septum. By replacing the cartilage and **** of the nose, septoplasty increases airflow.

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are procedures in which the surgeon removes excess tissue from the back of the throat and nose.

How can I get rid of my snoring?

You can prevent snoring by making changes in your lifestyle, eating habits, and daily activities. If you want to stop snoring, you need to:

• Ask your doctor about treatment for nasal congestion.
• Before going to bed, stay away from alcohol and other drugs.
• Maintain a healthy weight, stay active, and exercise regularly.
• Raise your bedhead a few inches to promote ventilation and adjust the angle.
• Instead of lying on your back, try lying on your side.
• Try sleeping with a snoring pillow that keeps your head and neck in the correct position.

A word of advice

Snoring is irritation and discomfort. It could also be a sign of something more serious. Talk to your provider if your snoring lasts longer than a few nights or is particularly loud. Prolonged snoring can lead to major health problems. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle can help you prevent snoring. Ask your doctor about treatments that can help you breathe easier, sleep better and be more refreshed.