Aside from potential sleep loss health risks, snoring can be disruptive to more than just your own sleep patterns—if you share your bed with a loved one, they might be losing sleep, too! There are a few different ways you can try to alleviate this problematic condition: at-home remedies, special devices, and surgical intervention. Dr. Edward Shukovsky can help you navigate your options and find the best solution for a happier, healthier, more restful life!
At-Home Solutions
One of the easiest ways to prevent snoring is to simply adjust your sleeping position. Laying on your back can cause the tongue and/or soft palate to relax back into your throat, therefore blocking the airway and leading to snoring. Sleeping on your side can often help eliminate this issue. Sleeping on your back with your head propped up might also help, but may potentially cause some neck pain, so it likely is not the best option.
If blocked nasal passages are causing your snoring, it might be helpful to attempt some at-home remedies to open them up. Using a neti pot and/or taking a hot shower before going to bed should help prevent snoring. Nasal strips can also be effective.
Oftentimes, snoring can be the result of weight gain. When sleeping, the additional weight can push on the airway and make it difficult for air to get through, ultimately leading to snoring. Losing some weight can sometimes be an easy way to stop snoring.
If at-home remedies do not work for you, it is possible you might have sleep apnea. If you or a loved one suspects you may have this condition, it is important to consult with your doctor as soon as possible. Dr. Shukovsky works closely with many sleep medicine professionals, and can assist with obtaining a proper diagnosis.
Devices to Stop Snoring
Depending on your specific needs, there are a variety of sleep better solutions and devices that can stop snoring:
Custom-made oral appliances can often be an easy way to help open airways and prevent snoring and sleep apnea. Similar to a night guard or retainer, these appliances are designed to fit comfortably inside the mouth while you are sleeping, and easily be removed in the morning. If you are an appropriate candidate for an oral appliance, Dr. Shukovsky can have one made specifically for you that is designed to address your unique needs.
CPAP machines are generally the most common treatment option for individuals who have discovered that their snoring is related to sleep apnea. These machines utilize continuous pressure to push air through the airway, enabling the wearer to effectively breathe throughout the night without gaps. CPAP usage also eliminates snoring, since the machine prevents the airway from being blocked.
If wearing an oral appliance or a CPAP mask is troublesome for you, NightLase® might be a good alternative option. This state-of-the-art non-surgical treatment is designed to gently reshape tissues that are causing airway blockage. Following NightLase® treatment, snoring can be reduced or eliminated entirely.
Surgery to Stop Snoring
If none of the solutions mentioned above have proven successful, it’s possible that surgery may be needed. Although somnoplasty is generally a “last resort” for patients suffering from snoring and sleep apnea, this minimally-invasive treatment can effectively open the airway and help you stop snoring and get more restful sleep.
If you are trying to stop snoring, but aren’t sure what to do, we are here to help! Please contact our office to learn more about your options, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shukovsky.
