Archive for January, 2007
Although snoring is caused by the noise of air trying to pass through an obstructed airway – and that is the same for everyone who snores – the cause of the blockage can vary from person and because of this different snoring cures have different rates of success with different people.
Dairy products, in particular cow’s milk, are known to be very mucous forming and can be at the root of many respiratory problems. For this reason the persistent snorer may consider eliminating dairy products from their diet to see if their condition improves.
When excess mucous is being produced as a result of an intolerance to milk and dairy products it has to go somewhere. Sparing you the graphic details you will understand that whilst you are awake you will sneeze and blow your nose at regular intervals to clear the build up of mucous. At night, whilst you are sleeping, the mucous builds up and obstructs your airways, causing you to snore.
How many of us go to bed after a little snack of cheese and biscuits or a glass of hot milk or some form of milky drink? After all, everyone knows, milk is good for us, right? Well, it is true that milk does contain a number of nutrients but all of these can be obtained from other sources and should be obtained elsewhere if the ingestion of milk is causing an allergic reaction.
If you are a persistent snorer and your doctor has ruled out any underlying medical condition that might be causing you to snore you may want to consider eliminating dairy products from your diet for a month to see if the situation improves.
Elimination diets are very safe provided you are sensible. If you are in any doubt it is best to seek medical advice but basically you just need to ensure that you still get the nutrients you need from alternate sources.
In place of dairy products there are rice and soya alternatives. Nut milks are also available but it is probably worth avoiding those initially as nuts are also known to cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive.
When you try elimination diets to test for sensitivities it is helpful to keep a food diary to monitor your responses. After a month of elimination you can try introducing foods back into you diet, one at a time, to see if the snoring returns or goes back to previous levels.
Of course, it is very difficult to self monitor for snoring! If you have a willing partner you can ask them to score you on a scale of 1 -10 where 1 = little or no snoring and 10 = unbearable levels of snoring. If you have no willing partner you can try using one of the little voice-activated recording devices to record your snoring whilst you sleep in order that you can make a self assessment in the morning.
Whilst bearing in mind the need to obtain all essential nutrients from your food, it is worth eliminating milk and dairy products from your diet to see if your snoring improves.
How many times have you complained to a friend about the incessant snoring of your partner? You’ve talked about how tired you feel with the endless interruptions of your nights sleep because your husband’s snoring is window shattering loud. Or maybe you’ve compared it to a motorcycle engine, a thunderstorm or a chainsaw. If so, you are not alone. Women all across the world have the same problem. For you guys whose wives snore, you have to admit the noise is not as loud and rarely does it disturb your sleep. For women with snoring parents it is quiet different. Men simply snore louder.
Believe it or not snoring has become such an insurmountable problem that it has become grounds for divorce. The lack of sleep, base on the nighttime snore serenade, of both partners can create multiple problems in a relationship. Two overtired people are not as likely to be patient with each other. One blames the other for their lack of sleep. The snorer becomes fed up with the daily blame while still having to cope with his own state of tiredness. Work suffers for both of them and so does their home life.
In studies done on snoring and relationships over half the couples agreed that the nightly noise caused severe arguments. Eighty percent said they often slept in another room just to try and get a good night sleep. Ten percent said it was bad enough that they thought seriously about leaving their spouse. Often the pleas of the non-snoring partner are ignored, as the snorer does not believe anything can be done. This is seen as a very negative reaction by the non-snorer who often becomes convinced that her partner is just doing it to annoy her. This impacts on the whole relationship. It also impacts on the intimate relationship of the couple in a negative way. Twenty five percent of couples being studied confirmed that problem. As well, if a couple chooses to sleep in separate rooms, it not only affects their sex life, but also affects the end of the night relax and chat time that a couple shares. In a relationship these are important non-sexual intimate moments that play a pivotal role in keeping two people tuned into one another.
Sometimes it gets to a point where the couple must decide if their relationship is worth rescuing. They’re spending less time together, sleeping in separate rooms or the non-snoring partner is either spending too much of the night awake or with a pillow over her ears. Fortunately, if you value your partner there are things that can be done to save the relationship. Begin by seeing your doctor. That could determine the next step in what snoring cures to try. Some may be no more than simple lifestyle changes while others may include the use of appliances or other devices. After all the nighttime difficulties, if you want to keep your relationship on track sometimes sacrifices are needed on both sides.
There are many devices on the market today that claim to help snoring. However, their benefit is of some contention, and it’s good to know exactly what you’re getting into before you buy a product to aid your snoring problem.
One type of device offered to aid snoring is a mouthpiece. These help to perform such tasks as keeping the lower jaw from falling back, keeping the airway open, and preventing the tongue from relaxing to the point where it touches the soft tissue at the back of the throat. These mouthpieces are commonly offered in two different varieties – open-mouthed and closed-mouthed, depending on the way you most often sleep in the evening. These are generally moderate in cost and have been shown to have some affectability. Be sure to check into the specific brand of mouthpiece you plan on buying through consumer reviews before committing to a purchase. Also, know that what works wonders for one person may do absolutely nothing for another. Snoring is a diverse condition that can be caused by a host of factors.
Another type of device used to stop snoring is the nasal strip. These strips are commonly low in cost and feature an adhesive that goes across the bridge of the nose, stretching the nostrils and forcing them open. This helps to clear the airway for those who suffer nasal congestion that may be causing their snoring. These are typically moderately helpful when trying to stop snoring.
One type of device that you can make in the home that tends to help a lot of snorers out is quite simple. If you are a snorer who only experiences the problem while you lay on your back, then it’s just a matter of simply putting a tennis ball in a sock and then pinning the sock to the back of your pajama pants. This causes you to be discomforted when you roll onto your back, as you would be laying on the tennis ball. Therefore, your body will naturally assume the position of lying on its side while you are asleep.
Throat sprays are another type of product that is being marketed to help snorers. Containing such nutrients as vitamin B-6, C, and E, as well as various oils, throat spray companies claim the spray helps to lubricate the uvula and the throat, hopefully eliminating some of the contact made between the two and helping a snoring problem.
One final type of product that is offered on the snore-stopping market would be specialized pillows. Since some snoring is caused by the angle of your neck while you sleep, these pillows promise to keep your air way at less of a sharp angle to help necessitate proper breathing.
All of these products work in their own different ways, and not all of them can be used to help the same types of snoring. It is important to know what factors affect your snoring, so that you can make a sound decision on which of the products would be the most helpful. Know before you buy!
Posted in Snoring