Snoring occurs when the tissues in the mouth and throat relax and vibrate as air passes through or around them. Snoring may be associated with overweight, use of alcohol, chronic nasal congestion or anatomical issues (like the shape of nasal passages, quality of the soft palate and length of the uvula). Sometimes snoring is just annoying, but if it prevents you from sleeping well, it can be a serious health issue. Among the many treatments for snoring are devices designed to open the nasal passages or airways, reposition the mouth or jaw or help improve the quality of airway structures. Only a few have been scientifically proven effective.
CPAP Device
Most people who have a combination of snoring and exhaustion from lack of adequate sleep have a condition called sleep apnea, in which they actually stop breathing for short periods of time. The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is often prescribed for sleep apnea. The patient wears a pressurized face mask over the nose, and an attached pump forces air through the airway to keep it open. These devices are very effective in eliminating snoring, though some have found them confining. Newer designs appear to be more comfortable.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances include a plastic device worn inside the mouth and an external device that fits around the head and chin. These devices are designed to bring the jaw forward, thus opening the airway to allow air to pass more freely. They are not quite as effective in treating sleep apnea as CPAP, but they do help reduce or eliminate snoring if fit and worn properly. In the United States, these appliances must be fit by a dentist, though some people try the type of mouth guard worn by athletes.
Surgical Implants
Another option is permanent plastic implants surgically placed in the mouth, which help stiffen the palate to prevent excessive vibration. The surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia. Palatal implants were effective in reducing or eliminating snoring in up to 70% of those who had them, according to a 2004 study done in Norway. Drawbacks are that they require surgery and are permanent.
Nasal Strips
While fewer than 10% of people who snore do so because of narrow or restricted nasal passages, nasal strips can help in these cases. Nasal strips--adhesive bandages embedded with plastic strips--are placed across the nose. As the plastic strips straighten, the sides of the nose are pulled out and the nasal passages are opened.
Neti Pot
According to the Mayo Clinic, you may be able to reduce snoring by treating chronic nasal congestion that causes you to breathe through your mouth. The neti pot, available at retail pharmacies, is a device that can help reduce congestion. The pot is filled with a warm saline solution, which is then breathed into one side of the nose and empties out of the other, washing out any excess mucus.
