Want to Stop Snoring? Here are the remedies that work (and those that don't).

Long considered to be nothing more than a small nuisance, snoring is now something that is taken seriously.

Obviously for the greatest joy of the partners of big snorers!

For doctors, snoring is a sign that something is wrong.

“When you snore, you expend far too much energy to breathe,” says Dr. M. Safwan Badr, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

"Snoring is like a good bout of fever," he adds. "It signals that there is a problem, but we don't know which one."

proven methods to stop snoring

What is snoring?

Snoring occurs when the airways are small or blocked. This causes vibration as the air passes through the soft tissue in the throat.

"In principle, snoring is not normal," says the scientist.

As a doctor, Dr Badr first seeks to find out why a person snores in order to provide them with the best possible treatment. “First and foremost, I need to know why the body is trying to breathe or going into sleep apnea,” he says.

During sleep apnea, snorers stop breathing, sometimes hundreds of times a night. An accurate diagnosis must be made because of the many possible consequences of sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea increases the risk of heart attack, depression and diabetes.

Snoring can also be due to a case of seasonal allergy or nasal congestion. Then there are treatments that can improve these conditions and only a doctor can help you find them.

Yet many snorers (but also their partners who are mildly annoyed at not being able to sleep properly) are actively seeking home remedies for snoring.

To see more clearly and avoid spending your money for nothing, Dr. Badr gives us his doctor's opinion on the effectiveness of these different methods:

Nasal bands

The doctor's verdict: go your way!

Usually nasal strips don't work very well. Why ? Because the narrowing of the nasal passages, which is the cause of snoring, is located much deeper than on the nose. So it's not a sticky tape that can change something ...

The doctor adds, however, that these bands "can sometimes reduce the decibel problem, but not the mechanical problem of the airways."

In other words, your bed partner may be less bothered by the sound of your snoring if you wear nasal bands, but what is certain is that the real problem will not be solved.

If you are still interested in nasal strips, we recommend these which seem to be effective for some people.

Losing weight

The doctor's verdict: To try !

Being overweight also causes your neck to swell and constrict and constrict the airways, leading to vibrations that produce snoring, says Dr. Badr.

People who regularly gain a few pounds each year can develop sleep apnea. If the snoring started at the same time as you gained weight, losing some can help reduce the snoring.

Not to mention that losing a little weight has a number of additional health benefits!

To discover : 20 ZERO Calorie Foods To Help You Lose Weight.

Sleeping on your side

The doctor's verdict: To try !

Since the pressure on your throat is more when you are lying on your back, turning onto your side can actually calm your snoring problems, says Dr. Badr.

People who sleep on their backs and snore often get nudged by their partners to stop them ... To save you those bruises, the experts recommend a nifty trick:

method not to snore with a ball hanging in the back

Sew a tennis ball into the front pocket of an old t-shirt. Wear it inside out to sleep (the pocket on the back). Sleeping on your back will therefore be very uncomfortable, and you will no longer be tempted to lie on your back while you sleep!

Sleep with an air humidifier

The doctor's verdict: to test.

If your snoring is due to nasal congestion or allergies, the air in the room must not be dry, as this may increase the snoring. This is why we recommend sleeping with an air humidifier.

However, Dr Badr adds, "While there are always benefits to these home remedies, know that they don't solve everything." Believing that you can cure chronic snoring with an air humidifier minimizes the severity of snoring and does not cause people to talk to their doctor about it.

Avoid alcohol at night

The doctor's verdict: it works !

An occasional snorer may have their problem exacerbated by drinking alcoholic beverages, says Dr Badr. Indeed, alcohol relaxes the muscles that keep the airways open. As a result, you are more likely to snore if you drank the day before. In addition, drinking in the evening leads to less restful and more disturbed sleep. It is therefore a good idea to avoid drinking too much in the evening even if you do not snore.

Change pillow

The doctor's verdict: it doesn't help much.

While it is true that certain positions can also widen or narrow the airways, you are unlikely to stay in the same position all night, says Dr. Badr.

Unfortunately, it is not enough to buy an anti-snoring pillow (like this one for example) to be peaceful. It is not that simple. In addition, there has been no scientific evidence to support their use.

The surgical operation

The doctor's verdict: Consider if CPAP does not work.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a very effective method. This is the gold standard, says Dr Badr. A mask sends air into the airways which are kept open. Thus, vibrations causing snoring are impossible.

If you are considering surgery, it is because your snoring is very important, or even that you have severe sleep apnea. Surgery should only be considered in cases where the CPAP treatment has not proven its effectiveness.

A team of doctors and specialists will need to do a full assessment of your sleep. Obviously, this method should not be taken lightly, but is proving to be very effective for many people.

Conclusion

Above all, don't ignore your snoring, especially if your health is otherwise not at its peak or if you feel tired during the day.

“People tend to always want to find an explanation for their symptoms, yet something is clearly missing.

Remember, snoring is a clue that something is wrong, "recalls Dr Badr.

Do you like this trick ? Share it with your friends on Facebook.

Also to discover:

Do you have trouble sleeping? Here is the Guide To The Best Positions For a Good Night.

8 Tips To Avoid Dust In Your Bedroom.


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