How To Stop Snoring
How to ‘treat’ or prevent snoring?
Occasionally, surgery is the only answer…
The first thing to say is that there are a minority of cases where people
snore because they have a medical problem that needs surgical
attention
For example, there are a small number of cases where there are defects
of the tongue, soft palate and/or uvula (which plays a key role in
producing the sound of your voice) which between them exacerbate the
tendency to snore.
This particular situation can only be dealt with by treating the problem
surgically. The surgical procedure involved, known as a
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, is designed to widen the airway of the
patient by removing soft-tissue from the back of the throat.
The surgery is, however, quite invasive, and also carries a significant
risk of unsatisfactory final results. In particular, there is a chance that
as a result of surgery, the scar tissue left will in fact further restrict the
air flow in the throat instead of freeing it up.
Alternatively, a relatively modern and far less radical treatment known
as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is sometimes used to treat snorers. In
this situation, a special heat and radiofrequency generating machine is
used to burn the flesh underneath the skin of the soft tissue at the back
of the throat.
The theory is that when this burned area recovers, it will comprise scar
tissue, which is by nature considerably harder and less flexible than the
original soft tissue. Thus, the propensity for this tissue to vibrate and
cause the snoring noise is significantly reduced.
Although this sounds singularly painful, the fact is that the pain and
discomfort is usually minimal and the treatment can be performed very
quickly (often as an outpatient). However, although RFA often reduces
the severity of the snoring, it does not usually stop the patient snoring
entirely.
In a similar manner, problems of the nose that reduce the ability to
breath through the mouth (whether they are natural or caused by
accidents as highlighted previously) will likewise need surgical
treatment in order to effect a permanent repair, thereby reducing or
completely removing the tendency to snore.
20
Over the counter medicines
There are pills, potions, sprays and medicines available over-thecounter
in many a local pharmacy or store that are claimed to be
capable of treating or even curing your snoring habit.
However, for some idea of how effective the majority of these
concoctions are likely to be, it is necessary to do no more than pay
heed to the advices of Mark Mahowald, MD, who is the Director of the
Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center and is also a past president
of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
On the subject of over-the-counter pills and sprays, the Doctor
comments thus: ‘There are all sorts of sprays, pills and tablets that
claim to make snoring better, but I have yet to see any validation by
scientific studies to support those claims’.
Whilst a lack of scientific validation does not necessarily prove that no
over the counter medical treatments for snoring work, it certainly
suggests that they are unlikely to be particularly effective for the
majority of people who are chronic or habitual snorers.
Dental or orthodontic treatment
Some people can be treated for their snoring habit with a special dental
appliance known as a ‘mandibular advancement splint’ (MAS).
The idea behind the MAS is that it pushes the patients lower jaw
forward slightly, so that their tongue is pulled forward by a degree at
the same time. This is a relatively common treatment that is generally
performed by a dentist or orthodontist, often one who specializes in
dentistry related to sleep apnea problems.
Such devices generally prove to be effective in reducing or eliminating
the patients snoring problem, particularly if that problem is related to a
corresponding sleep apnea condition.
It is even possible to buy over the counter MAS devices, which are often
manufactured from a polymer and have the appearance of the kind of
gum shields or mouth protection devices favored by sports people. The
problem with adopting this ‘do it yourself’ approach, however, is the
fact that, whilst the MAS device itself is perfectly sound, it is likely that
the person who purchased that device has no experience of how to fit it
properly
Given that the whole objective of the MAS is to slightly alter the position
of the patients jaw, it must be apparent that corrector fitment of the
device is absolutely critical.
21
Furthermore, professionally fitted MAS devices are adjustable. Thus, the
professional dentist or orthodontist is able to make any necessary
adjustments as they go along.
For example, if the device as initially fitted is ineffective, the lower jaw
can be extended slightly further by adjusting the device in order to
make sure that it works properly in the future. In contrast, if the initial
extension is too great then jaw pain will be the result, so, again, having
an adjustable device professionally fitted is a major advantage.
In the USA, the MAS device is deemed to be a class 2 medical device,
and therefore it is necessary to have a prescription in order to obtain
one. However, there is nothing whatsoever stopping a US citizen buying
such a device online and importing it for their own usage on a personal
basis.
By way of contrast, in other countries such as Australia, MAS devices
can be bought without a prescription in any regular pharmacy or highstreet
store.
Incidentally, as an alternative to using a self applied MAS device, you
might like to consider trying ‘Chin-Up Strips’. These strips are like an
adhesive version of the MSA, except they are ‘worn’ externally.
You apply the strip to the lower half of your face to prevent you from
breathing through your mouth, so that you cannot snore. However, the
beauty of using these is that they are not likely to cause you any pain
or discomfort, whilst they are very effective for forcing you to breathe
through your nose, thus minimizing the possibility of you snoring.
Anyway, as a safer and a probably more effective alternative to using a
self-applied MAS device, Chin-Up Strips are definitely worth considering.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (or CPAP) device is one that is
very similar to those that they use to keep new born babies who cannot
breathe for themselves breathing. However, it is equally as effective for
those who need a fairly proactive device to help them prevent snoring
or sleep apnea.
This device is effectively a fairly sophisticated air blower that operates
through a mask that is placed over the mouth and nostrils. Once in
position the ventilator/blower forces air through the nostrils of the
sleeping ‘patient’. The machine maintains air pressure at a level that is
just sufficient to prevent the throat from collapsing.
Section summary
• If there is a physical reason for a patient’s snoring habit, it is
possible to treat it with surgery. However, the surgery is not
22
always successful and in some cases will make the situation worse
rather than better.
• It is also possible to buy over-the-counter sprays, pills and
medicines which are claimed to get rid of or at least alleviate
snoring. There is some skepticism as to whether any of these
medicines work.
• Having an MAS device professionally fitted by a dentist or
orthodontist is sometimes effective. Over-the-counter MAS
devices tend to be considerably less so.
• CPAP can also help, but are really only likely to be used for the
most chronic cases.
• All of these solutions might work. However, they should all be last
resorts, only to be considered after