Treatment for Snoring Some 45 percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually grows worse with age. Unfortunately, snoring is not under a person's control, and any success using the most common remedy, a shove to the back, only works because it awakens the snorer and disturbs his or her sleep. The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the most narrow passages at the back of the mouth and nose. As the air sweeps past the upper part of the throat, the uvula (the fleshy structure that dangles from the back of the roof of the mouth ) and the tongue, these structures strike against each other and vibrate like a reed on a clarinet, producing the objectionable noise. Persons who snore have at least one of the following problems: Excessive or flabby tissues of the throat. This can be due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids or a tendency for these tissues to become too relaxed and flaccid during deep stages of sleep. Overweight patients tend to have bulkier neck and throat structures and, sometimes, a larger tongue. Excessive length of the soft palate and uvula. A long soft palate may narrow the opening from the nose into the throat. As it dangles in the airway, the soft palate acts as a flutter valve during relaxed breathing and contributes to the noise of snoring. A long uvula makes matters even worse. An exceptionally large tongue. The tongue tends to fall backward into the airway during deeper levels of sleep and when a sleeper breathes primarily through an open mouth. The larger the tongue, the narrower the air passage posterior to the tongue. Obstructed nasal airways. A stuffy nose requires a sleepers mouth to be open. The rotation of the lower jaw during open-mouth sleeping positions the tongue more posteriorly. This in turn narrows the airway opening at the base of the tongue. Therefore, snoring occurs in many people who would not snore if they could breathe through the nose properly. This is also why many people snore during the hay fever season only, or when they have a cold or sinus infection. Problems Caused by Snoring Snoring can cause significant social problems. It often deprives the sleeping partner and other household members of a sound and restful sleep, and sometimes makes the snorer an object of ridicule. Snorers are generally unwelcome roommates on vacations or business trips. Snoring can become a severe strain on the relationship between the snorer and his or her sleeping partner. Medically, snoring disturbs the sleeping patterns of the snorer himself, so that he may not sleep restfully. Heavy snorers tend to develop high blood pressure at a younger age than non-snorers. The most exaggerated form of snoring is known as obstructive sleep apnea, when loud snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed airflow (apnea) and depressed oxygenation. This intermittent oxygen starvation causes the snorer to be aroused from deep sleep. The arousal allows the of the throat to open up and allow air to reach the lungs. With such fragmented sleep, persons with obstructive sleep apnea may spend little of their night-time hours in the deep-sleep stages that are essential for a good rest. Therefore, they awaken unrefreshed and are sleepy much of the day. During these obstructive apnea episodes, the heart strains to pump harder, which can cause irregular heartbeats, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement. Medical advice should be sought for snoring if a person is a heavy snorer or snores in any position in which he sleeps, if the snoring has become disruptive to the snorer’s sleeping partner or family, or if other household members suspect obstructive sleep apnea. Every chronically snoring child should also be thoroughly examined for adenoid enlargement or other deformities of the airway. Treatment for snoring Few things in life can be more pleasing than a great night’s sleep, both for the snorer and his or her sleeping partner. Fortunately, the majority of snorers can be helped. Once we have evaluated your history of snoring and have identified the cause of your snoring, our recommended treatment will depend on the severity and site of obstruction. For adults who are mild or occasional snorers, the following home remedies may be sufficient. Adopt an athletic lifestyle. Exercise daily to develop good muscle tone and lose weight. Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, alcohol, or heavy meals within 3 hours of retiring. Allow your non-snoring partner to fall asleep first. Medical Treatments for Snoring Mild to moderate snoring can often be improved by the following medical treatments: Providing humidified and warmed air in the snorers room. Improving nasal airflow with nasal decongestants, antihistamines, or aerosolized nasal steroids. Using an oral appliance. The appliance or mouthguard made of silicone or acrylic helps to keep the jaw and tongue forward. This prevents the narrowing of the airway that would otherwise occur during open-mouth sleeping, and counters the effect of a large tongue. Surgical Treatments for Snoring Since the cause of snoring is nearly always an anatomical narrowing of the airway, surgery to widen the opening is indicated to correct those specific anatomic problems. Removing the uvula: Since the uvula is the most flaccid structure of the throat, it is often the principal "noisemaker." The uvula, like the appendix, appears to have no particular function, and its removal should leave no functional deficit. Removal is often the only treatment necessary for mild to moderate snoring. This procedure is straightforward and can easily be performed under sedation in our office, often in conjunction with extraction of teeth or other oral surgery. Shortening the length of the soft palate. Reducing redundant palatal tissue and shortening the soft palate length is more definitive than excision of just the uvula, but is a more involved procedure and may require hospitalization and a significantly longer recovery. This surgery is appropriate for those whose snoring doesn't improve with simple excision of the uvula. Nasal surgery or excision of tonsils and adenoids. Surgeries of the nasal tissues and passages are designed to eliminate obstructions in the nasal airflow. These procedures are typically used when medical treatments don't improve nasal airflow. Tongue reduction or jaw surgery. These are significant surgeries reserved for only the most severe snorers and are designed to improve airflow at the base of the tongue. These measures, along with special breathing apparatuses, are often used for those with obstructive sleep apnea. If, any of these treatments are recommended to you, Dr. Stout will provide you with more detailed information about the procedure, the success rates, risks and recovery.