Are you tired of being told you are a snorer? Does your partner want to kick you out of bed during nighttime because he or she can no longer handle the noise? Do your kids, and family members constantly make jokes at your expense, about your snoring?
If you answer any of these questions with a yes, then you may be among the 45% of adults that suffer from a chronic, or long-term, snoring. Snoring is an irritating habit which may be a symptom of underlying medical issues. Due to the commonality of snoring, there are now many safe and effective snoring aids available to help fight the frustrating sign. It is essential to recall, however, to always seek advice from a medical professional to determine if there might be any other causes for your long-term snoring.
Devices to Retain the Tongue
Tongue retaining devices, also identified as tongue stabilizing devices, are slightly different from the usual mouthpieces you might have seen before. These devices work by maintaining your tongue forward while you sleep. Often, when you snore, the tongue will fall back and partially collapse the airway. It causes turbulence in the airflow and vibration of the soft tissues surrounding the neck. A tongue retaining device acts as a suction device on the tongue and prevents it from falling backward and blocking the airway. Most people who use tongue retainers to stop snoring say that it is comfortable, after the initial adjustment period. Also advised that when used correctly, tongue retaining devices can be up to 80% effective at preventing snoring. Although it is a safe and comfortable device to use, it can cause problems for people who are unable to breathe efficiently through their noses. Tongue retaining devices keep the tongue forward, but to breathe, you must breathe in and out through the nose. If you are struggling with a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, sinus issues or other problems that prevent your nose from breathing, this may not be a suitable device for you.
Mandibular Devices
Mandibular advancement devices work somewhat differently than tongue retaining devices. These devices look more like the conventional mouthpieces and work by stopping your jaw from falling back. When your jaw is farther backward, it makes it easier for the tongue to fall back as well and obstruct and block the airway. Mandibular advancement devices are an efficient and convenient way of holding the jaw forward and protecting the airway from collapsing. Unlike tongue retaining devices, there are many diverse sizes and shapes of mandibular advancement devices, and this can make it hard to find the right and unique one to fit your face. Because of the full range of types, however, it is likely you can see a proper shape for you by trying different ones. There are two principal types of mandibular advancement devices: those with airflow holes, and those without airflow holes. The airflow holes are a tremendous benefit to people who are unable to breathe through the nose because it lets you wear the device and continue breathing through your mouth. It makes the mandibular advancement device with airflow holes more beneficial than tongue retaining devices in those with problems that inhibit nasal breathing.
Nasal Strips
Nasal strips are another possible snoring aid. Nasal pieces are not always useful; however, they are a quick and easy technique to use as a first-line treatment. Nasal strips work by appending to the nose and helping to hold the nasal passages in an open position. It better allows you to breathe through your nose and creates smoother air flow and less work is needed for breathing. They are flexible and sticky nasal strips and are a cheap and easy method to attempt to correct snoring.
Humidifier
Although many people do not think about trying a humidifier to help stop snoring, it is a useful over-the-counter instrument to help prevent snoring. Our throats and nasal passages are naturally coated with mucus, to help keep harmful bacteria and viruses from infiltrating the lungs. In drier environments with less humidity, however, this mucus can become thickened, and it takes more effort to pass air through these stuffed and sticky airways. Humidifiers are helpful because they add moisture to these airways and restrict the risen work of breathing and stop the snoring as a result of this extra breathing work. It will help to moisten the air passageways in both the nasal passages and larger airways in the throat.