Research suggests that women who snore are at an increased risk for hypertension and heart disease. This brings us to the treatment options available to the patient. Fortunately, there are several medical options to choose from depending on the advice of your doctor/health practitioner.
Generally, doctors would advise you to start with lifestyle adjustments such as reducing alcohol and tobacco usage, cutting down on relaxant drugs use, sleeping on your side, elevating the head side of the bed, treating nasal conditions, and using nasal strips to begin with, and check if this will curb the condition. However, in severe cases (and based on the sleep test results), treatment options such as those outlined below may be suggested:
1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This is the most popular treatment prescribed by doctors whereby a small mask is to be worn at the time of sleep by the patient. This mask is attached to a pump which forces air rhythmically into the air passage thus keeping it open. The device usually comes attached with a humidifier and is the size of a tissue box.
2. Oral Appliances: Prescriptions of dental mouthpieces which push the tongue and soft palate forward to facilitate an unobstructed air passage are common. Mandibular splints are also used to move the lower jaw forward to achieve a clear, unobstructed air passage. Such fitments require a specialist during fixture and a check-up every six months to readjust the appliance if required.
3. Uvulo-Palato-Pharyngoplasty (UPPP): This procedure widens the throat by trimming the excess tissues there to keep it free from blockages. However, this surgery is the last resort for many patients and doctors. It is an invasive procedure that requires the use of general anaesthesia and may actually backfire causing a damaged pharynges and a more constricted and scarred air passage.
4. Laser Surgery: The LAUP is still not approved as a desirable treatment by the American Medical Association. It is similar to the UPPP procedure done with a device emanating laser beam.
5. Somnoplasty: This is a quick procedure taking less than an hour using low intensity radio frequency signals to remove a part of the soft palate and/or the uvula. It uses local anaesthesia and can be done as an outpatient procedure. However, several sessions may be required depending on the severity of the condition.
6. The Pillar Procedure: This is a new method also successful in treating sleep apnea. Here, miniscule plastic implants are inserted into the soft palate which stiffens it and reduces the flapping and snoring. The surgery takes less than an hour and is performed under local anesthesia. However, further studies are needed to improve the procedure and to make it less expensive.
Risks of snoring include more serious conditions such as sleep apnea, hypertension, atherosclerosis and stroke (Source: CardiacConsult Review 1999:2:2). Snoring itself may be benign, but the disturbed sleep that accompanies it causes sleep deprivation, lack of focus, irritability etc during the waking hours apart from impairment of lifestyle, loss of libido and psychological and social damage.
It is suggested that partners of snoring patients use earplugs or white noise generators to enable them to sleep undisturbed.
Although the route of alternative therapies such as singing, hypnotherapy, playing the didgeridoo and the use of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) drugs as nasal drops is also often suggested by some practitioners, their efficacy and success needs to be studied and verified.
Mamta Singh is a published author (Migraines for the Informed Woman – Tips from a Sufferer. Publisher: Rupa & Co.), seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. Mamta runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business, and is presently training as a Holistic Healing Therapist from the U.K. She is a registered practitioner with the UN-recognized Art of Living Foundation.
Link: http://www.migrainingjenny.wordpress.com and http://www.footstrike.wordpress.com