![]() Snoring - Treatment - NHS Choices. It's sometimes possible to treat snoring by making lifestyle changes. Further treatment is also available if this doesn't help. The various treatments for snoring are outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the treatments for snoring, allowing you to compare your treatment options. Lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes are usually advised by your GP as a first step to treat snoring. These include: Talk to your GP if you feel your medication may be contributing to your snoring, as they may be able to prescribe alternatives. However, don't stop taking prescribed medication without first consulting your GP. If your snoring is worse when you're sleeping on your back, you may find sleeping on your side beneficial. Wearing a top with a pocket stitched between the shoulder blades and putting a tennis or golf ball in the pocket can help keep you off your back when you sleep. Ear plugs. If your snoring isn't causing you health problems but is affecting your partner, asking them to wear ear plugs during the night may be a cheap and effective way of resolving the issue. Anti- snoring devices. If lifestyle changes don't help, there are a number of anti- snoring devices you can try that can help prevent snoring. These devices aren't usually available on the NHS, but they can be bought at many larger pharmacies. The different types of anti- snoring devices are described below. Nasal devices. If your snoring is mainly coming from your nose, you may benefit from using nasal strips or nasal dilators. Nasal strips are small pieces of self- adhesive tape similar in appearance to sticking plasters. Before you go to sleep, place the nasal strip on the outside of your nose. ![]() The strip pulls your nostrils apart, which can help stop them narrowing during sleep. A nasal dilator is a plastic or metal device that looks a bit like a nose ring. ![]() ![]() You place it inside your nose before you go to sleep and it pushes your nostrils apart while you're asleep. There hasn't been much research comparing the effectiveness of each type of nasal device in treating snoring. For most people, their choice of device is based on personal preference. Chin strips are strips of tape placed under your chin, which help stop your mouth falling open while you sleep. A vestibular shield is a plastic device that looks similar to a gum shield. It fits inside your mouth and blocks the flow of air. This forces you to breathe through your nose, which may prevent you from opening your mouth and snoring. ![]() ![]() As with nasal devices, there's limited evidence on which type of oral device is more effective, so the choice will be down to your personal preference. Mandibular advancement device (MAD)If your snoring is mainly due to the base of your tongue vibrating, a mandibular advancement device (MAD) may be recommended. A MAD is similar to a vestibular shield, but it's designed to push your jaw and tongue forward. This increases the space at the back of your throat and reduces the narrowing of your airway that's causing your tongue to vibrate, resulting in snoring. ![]() You can buy a MAD for around . The cost of a custom- made MAD will depend on the complexity of the device and materials used, and can range from several hundred pounds to several thousand pounds. It's unlikely that you'll be able to obtain a custom- made MAD free of charge on the NHS. An MAD lasts about 1. Surgery. Several surgical techniques can also be used to correct snoring. However, surgery for snoring is usually only available free of charge on the NHS if: there's evidence that snoring is having an adverse effect on your health or quality of life, andyou've tried all other recommended treatments without success Surgery for snoring is usually regarded as a last resort, when all other treatment options have been tried and haven't worked. Surgery also isn't suitable for most cases of snoring. Surgery isn't usually recommended for people with sleep apnoea because there are more effective treatments available, such as using breathing devices to help with breathing. Read more about treating sleep apnoea. In cases where there are obvious anatomical problems contributing towards snoring, such as having large tonsils, surgery to remove the tonsils may be recommended. 12 Ways to Help You Snooze Without Snoring. 22 Natural Sore Throat Remedies to Help Soothe. How to Lose Weight Naturally. ![]() Weight Loss; Wellness; Best Eats. Cooking; Diet; Digestion; Healthy Eating; Nutrition; Recipes. You are here : Home / Best You / Home Remedies / Natural Home. Even moderate weight loss can prevent, cure obstructive sleep apnea Date. Even moderate weight loss can prevent, cure obstructive sleep apnea. UPPP completely cures snoring in about half of all people who have the procedure. Sign up for weight loss support emails; Create an NHS Choices account. Cures For Snoring: Mouth And Tongue Exercises That'll Help You. Diet & Weight Management; Weight Loss & Obesity. Lose weight and improve your eating habits. How to Stop Snoring, Snoring Cures, Health Post50, Sleep Apnea. ![]() Otherwise, there are four main types of surgery that are used to treat snoring: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) uvulopalatoplasty (UP) palate implants radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the soft palate These procedures aren't usually available on the NHS. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is used when it's been confirmed that soft tissue in your mouth (excluding your tongue) is responsible for your snoring. During UPPP the surgeon will remove: your uvula – the piece of tissue that hangs from the roof of your mouth some of your soft palate some excess tissue around the base of your throat In some cases, your tonsils and adenoids may also be removed. Adenoids are small lumps of tissue at the back of the nose, behind the palate. UPPP is carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep during surgery and unable to feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. However, UPPP can cause considerable pain afterwards, which can sometimes persist for up to three weeks. Removing your uvula can affect your ability to pronounce certain sounds, but it won't affect your ability to speak English. Weight loss can be a fantastic way to stop snoring. Not only does it work. Lose Weight to Stop Snoring. Home remedies for weight loss can help get your diet off to the right start. Take a look at 20 easy home remedies for weight loss. 20 Home Remedies for Weight Loss. This is because the English language doesn't make use of any of the sounds made with the uvula (known as uvular consonants). However, you may find that your pronunciation of some words in other languages is affected by the operation. UPPP completely cures snoring in about half of all people who have the procedure. Serious complications occur in an estimated 1% of cases. They include: Uvulopalatoplasty (UP)Uvulopalatoplasty (UP), sometimes called laser- assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), is increasingly used as an alternative technique to UPPP because it carries a lower risk. However, evidence suggests that UP may not be as effective as UPPP in the long term. UP can also cause considerable post- operative pain that lasts up to two weeks. During UP, lasers or high- energy radio waves are used to burn away the uvular and some of the soft palate. Soft palate implants. Soft palate implants can be used to treat snoring that doesn't cause breathing difficulties if it has been confirmed that the vibration of the soft palate is causing it. During the procedure, a local anaesthetic injection is used to numb the roof of your mouth. Several implants made out of synthetic (man- made) material are injected into your palate, causing it to stiffen. This should help prevent to the soft palate vibrating while you sleep. In 2. 00. 7, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance about soft palate implants. ![]() It stated that there are no safety concerns over the use of implants, but people considering using them should be aware that there's limited evidence about whether they're an effective long- term treatment. For more information, see the NICE guidance about soft- palate implants for simple snoring (PDF, 8. Radiofrequency ablation Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the soft palate is an alternative treatment to soft palate implants. It's used to treat cases where vibrations of the soft palate are responsible for snoring, and aims to stiffen the soft palate. The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis, which means you won't need to stay in hospital overnight. The roof of your mouth is numbed with a local anaesthetic and an electrode is implanted in the tissue of your soft palate, which delivers high- energy radio waves that shrink and harden the tissue. This makes it less likely to vibrate when you're asleep. NICE guidance published in 2. RFA. The researchers concluded that following the procedure there was an improvement in snoring and upper airway obstruction, which led to a lack of daytime sleepiness. The quality of life for both those affected and their partners also improved. The guidance also states that there are no major safety concerns relating to RFA of the soft palate for snoring. However, evidence as to its long- term effectiveness is limited. For more information, see the NICE guidance about radiofrequency ablation of the soft palate for snoring (PDF, 1. Medication. Medication can't directly treat the symptoms of snoring, but it can be used to help treat some of the underlying causes. For example, if allergic rhinitis (nasal irritation and swelling) is causing your snoring, an antihistamine nasal spray may help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines are a type of medication that are very effective in treating allergic reactions. Alternatively, if your snoring is particularly troublesome as a result of having a blocked nose, a short course of nasal decongestants may help. However, never use nasal decongestants for more than seven days in a row because it can make your symptoms worse. Your GP can advise you on whether medication will help your snoring. Page last reviewed: 2. Next review due: 2. Natural Home Remedies: Snoring . There are many possible causes. Overweight people are more likely to snore, and experts think it’s because the extra fatty tissue compresses the air passages. Drinking alcohol before bedtime is another factor: It causes throat muscles to relax and tissues to sag. And whenever you have nasal congestion from a cold or allergies, you’re more likely to snore, because inflamed tissues and extra mucus interfere with airflow. Tricks to prevent snoring. Try the following preventive measures to reduce or eliminate snoring. Changing your sleeping position may be all it takes, but a larger project – namely, losing weight – is often the real ticket to tranquil nights. You’ll prevent the tissues in your throat from falling into your air passages. An easy way to do it is to place several flat boards under the legs at the top end of the bed. A couple of short lengths of two- by- eights or two- by- tens under each leg should raise the bed enough to do the trick. Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll stay in that position, but at least start on your side with your arms wrapped around a pillow. There’s a good reason you don’t want to sleep on your back: In that position, your tongue and soft palate rest against the back of your throat, blocking the airway. Here’s how: Sew a little pouch on the back of your pajama top and tuck a tennis ball inside. At night, if you start to roll on your back while you’re sleeping, you’ll get a nudge from that tennis ball, prompting you to get back on your side. They may look odd, but who’s watching? Following the directions on the package, tape one of the strips to the outside of your nose before you fall asleep. They’ll lift and open your nostrils to increase airflow. This is especially effective if your snoring is a temporary condition caused by a head cold or an allergy. To mix up the herbal gargle, add one drop of peppermint oil to a glass of cold water. It works by keeping your chin extended so your throat doesn’t bend and your airway stays open. You don’t have to use a stiff plastic brace, however. A soft foam one, available at drugstores or medical supply stores, is less restraining and will work just as well. Change sheets and pillowcases often. Herbalists recommend it for soothing inflammation caused by pollen allergies. To make the tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tablespoon of the dried leaf (available in health- food stores). Cover the tea and let it steep for 5 minutes. Drink one cup of tea just before bedtime. Both can cause your throat muscles to relax more than normal. Losing 1. 0 percent of your body weight can help by easing constriction of the upper airway. Tobacco smoke irritates mucous membranes, so your throat swells, narrowing the airway. Smokers also have more problems with nasal congestion. Some drugs can make snoring worse, including sleeping pills and sedatives. There are lots of ways to do battle with dry air. A humidifier or steam vaporizer in the bedroom can keep your air passages moist; just be sure to clean it regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Another approach: Just before bedtime, fill a bowl with hot water, drape a towel over your head, bend over the bowl so your nose is roughly 1. A short course in snoring self- defense. If you’re living with someone who snores, there’s a better than even chance the nightly sonorities are fraying your relationship. But remember, other spouses and partners have dealt with this too – and survived. So before you head for the hills, consider some practical methods to deal with the rumblings of your otherwise lovable bedmate. They are inexpensive and quite comfortable, once you get accustomed to them. These electronic devices produce a consistent sound that muffles other noises. That way, at least, you have a head start on a good night’s sleep. When to see the doctor about snoring. Loud, excessive snoring can signal sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition that requires treatment. Contact your doctor if you’re a loud snorer who stops breathing for short periods when you’re asleep. You should also notify the doctor if you sometimes wake up gasping for breath, if you wake up with headaches, or if you’re sleepy during the day. Sleep apnea can reduce levels of oxygen in the blood, eventually leading to elevated blood pressure and an enlarged heart. In addition to lifestyle modifications (losing weight or changing your sleeping position), some doctors sometimes recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device for nightly use. Surgery is also possible. Don’t miss out! 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