What are some ways to treat snoring?
Snoring can be treated and alleviated to improve the quality of life of the patient. In general, there are treatments for snoring, such as:
1. Use oral appliances
Your doctor will recommend that you wear a mouthguard while you sleep. The mouthguard moves your lower jaw forward to prevent airway obstruction and reduce snoring. This device is best for people with mild to moderate snoring.
2. Adjust your lifestyle.
We should adjust our lifestyle behaviors, such as avoiding alcohol and smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining overall health.
3. Use a positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
CPAP treatment is a highly effective treatment for sleep apnea. The machine applies pressure to the airway during sleep to prevent obstruction, allowing the patient to breathe continuously. CPAP is best for treating moderate to severe sleep apnea.
4. Surgery
In cases where a patient has severe snoring or sleep apnea, the doctor may consider surgical treatment, such as uvula and soft palate surgery, facial and jaw surgery, tonsil or adenoid surgery, or nerve stimulation.
5. Lose weight
People who are overweight or obese often have too much fat around their throats, which narrows and obstructs the airway, leading to snoring or sleep apnea.
Frequently asked questions about snoring
1. My child snores. Is something wrong?
There are many causes of snoring in children, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), or upper airway obstruction, such as enlarged tonsils, or allergies, which can affect a child’s respiratory system in the long term. It is recommended that parents consult a doctor to find the exact cause of snoring and receive further treatment.
2. What kind of snoring is dangerous?
If the patient snores loudly and continuously to the point of disturbing those close to them, wakes up with a sore throat, those close to them notice that the patient stops breathing or has difficulty breathing while sleeping, wakes up in the morning not feeling refreshed, has no concentration, is unusually sleepy during the day to the point of being unable to do normal activities, or accidentally falls asleep while doing activities, they should consult a doctor immediately to receive a diagnosis and treatment for snoring.