About Snoring

Are you or your partner a snoring sufferer dealing with snoring or a snoring related illness such as sleep apnea and looking for a treatment for snoring? If you or someone you know has a snoring problem, this is definitely something you will want to read.

Snoring is an unfortunate sleep disorder which can be treated but first; let's take a look at what snoring is.

Snoring most commonly occurs during sleep when the snorer is breathing through his/her mouth. The noise from snoring is produced from the vibration of the uvula and soft palate which can range from a soft snorting noise to a rather loud and unpleasant noise resembling a chain-saw.

What causes snoring?

Snoring is caused by having a blockage in the airway. There are many kinds of blockages but the most common ones are:

• Having the tongue fall into the back of the mouth
• Allergies blocking the nasal passage
• A weak throat causing the airway to collapse (obstructive sleep apnea)
• Pressure on the airway from fat gathering around the neck
• A mis-positioned jaw caused from tense muscles
• Pressure on the airway from fat gathering around the neck

It's these blockages that disrupt airflow in the airway. That's when the soft palate and uvula vibrate creating the snoring noises.

Are there health risks from snoring?

Most of the time, there is no health risk associated with snoring but snoring that results from having an obstruction in the airway can be a clear indication of the sleeping disorder - Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) -which can be potentially life-threatening.

If snoring is not caused by Sleep Apnea it can definitely take its toll on the snorer's bed partner and more serious cases, people in other rooms at opposite ends of the house!

So what can I do about snoring?

You could try a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), also known as a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS). The idea behind a Mandibular Advancement Device is that the snoring will stop if pressure is taken off the airway and the obstruction alleviated. The Somoguard is a great cost-effective way to find out if this type of treatment will work for you as most Mandibular Advancement Devices can cost you around $1000 because they are fitted by your dentist.

The Somoguard costs only $99 or the simple molded unit, and $195 for the adjustable unit,  and both are  fitted yourself at home. It's a great way to see if a Mandibular Advancement Device will work for you before committing a major purchase or a dentist fitted device. We do advise that if you do use a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), you have your mouth checked by a dentist after a few weeks use to ensure that you are not displacing teeth or irritating gums.

What else can I do about snoring?

In severe snoring cases where an obstruction is involved, a Mandibular Advancement Device may not work for you. A CPAP flow generator would be necessary to open the airway to allow proper airflow and at the same time, remove the obstruction and stop the snoring!

If you are considering surgery, please take at least 3 second opinions. Surgery does help for a short time, at least until the weight lost due to the agony when trying to eat is regained, and you are still then likely to need CPAP.

Any medical condition should be discussed with a medical professional, and the comments made on this site are not claimed to be made by a medical professional.