Some 37 million adults snore on a regular basis, according to the National Sleep Foundation. A total of 90 million American adults suffer from snoring disorders, though not all on a regular basis. Snoring can be an issue for males and females, and it commonly affects overweight males. You, or your partner, may suffer from adverse health affects, according to the National Sleep Foundation, if you do not get enough sleep.
Essential oils are believed by many to be able to treat snoring disorders. There is not enough medical evidence to prove that using essential oils is safe or effective in treating snoring problems.
Causes
When you sleep, your throat muscles naturally relax and the tongue moves to the back of your throat. The passage to your throat becomes narrower and vibrates with each breath. Often, the vibration is louder when you inhale but still present upon exhaling.
Your doctor can assist you in determining the cause of your snoring problem. Common reasons for snoring are nose and throat abnormalities, age, nasal polyps, nasal congestion due to allergies or illness, sleep position, alcohol, use of muscle relaxants, deviated nasal septum and being overweight.
Types
According to Natural-HomeRemedies.com, herbs by themselves are not effective in treating snoring conditions. Passionflower along with peppermint leaves are said to help control snoring. Another mixture is valerian root, passionflower and peppermint leaves. If your snoring is due to chest congestion or nasal congestion, a combination of peppermint oil, goldenseal and eucalyptus may help. These herbs can be found in oil or extract form, as well as in solid form.
There is still not enough medical evidence to support claims that these, or any other, essential oils can help treat snoring problems.
Uses
You can use essential oils to help you stop snoring in a variety of ways. Some stop-snoring essential oils are placed in a sealed jar that you open before bedtime. The oils mix with the air and you breathe them in all night. Nasal sprays are also available; with these, you mist your nasal passage with a blend of essential oils. Additionally, essential oils come in a roll-on applicator form where you can rub the mixture under your nose and around your sinus passage.
Warnings
Snoring isn't just bothersome; it may be a sign of serious medical problems like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea happens when you stop breathing for a certain amount of time while sleeping and can be quite serious. Not getting a good night's sleep may also affect your ability to be alert during the day and even impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle, according to MayoClinic.com.
Benefits
You can avoid adverse health affects by getting a good night's sleep. By dealing with your snoring issue, you are more likely to get a good and uninterrupted sleep, which will allow you to be more alert in the daytime.
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