Whether you are having difficulty with personal snoring problems, or you know someone who is, there are plenty of products on the market that promise a fast and easy solution to the problem. Figuring out which ones can actual help, however, is a different story; many strips or posture devices or cure-alls may be nothing more than a placebo, and an expensive placebo at that. The reality of snoring remedies is that there are no guarantees, as everyone’s sleeping patterns and breathing systems work differently. Still, there are some methods with a good history of efficiency and a considerable amount of customer input. Check the reviews before investing any money in a remedy.
The cause of snoring is relatively simple — the diaphragm collapses during sleep and the increased pressure causes the noisy suction of air through the windpipe and into the lungs. Many people are naturally frustrated by snoring because they can neither hear or control it, as almost all snoring occurs during deep REM sleep. Luckily, however, there are some simple and free steps they can take to reduce the likelihood of excessive snoring. Doctors and sleep scientists recommend certain behavioral changes, which may be more helpful than any patch or spray. Changing the posture of your sleep can completely eliminate snoring, but is difficult for even the strongest willed person. Almost all non-sleep apnea related snoring occurs from sleeping on your back; it may be as simple as falling asleep on your side of chest to stop snoring. This, however, requires active concentration during a time when the brain relaxes, and force of habit can keep a person immobile in their traditional sleeping position.
Other ways to decrease the volume and frequency of snoring can be done completely free; just as with posture, you need only change certain elements of your daily life. These changes, however, may be significantly difficult for most people to adapt to — doctors say that quitting smoking, exercising more, and not drinking during the evening will greatly reduce the chance of snoring. This is due to multiple factors of the specific physiology of the human body; both tobacco and alcohol increase the heart rate and thus breathing rates, so more air is needed, and is needed more quickly. Similarly, losing weight will decrease the demands of respiration, so that there is less pressure on the windpipe. Of course, many customers are uninterested in changing their personal life, so they prefer instead to purchase a product that does all the work for them.
One of these products is nasal strips that alleviate the flow of inhaled air, allowing for a greater quantity to reach the lungs and removing the need for increased suction (which causes the noise of snoring). Breathe Right nasal strips are the most popular product on the market, and can be found at practically any grocery store or pharmacy for around five to six dollars. These strips relieve the nasal congestion that increases the body’s need for oxygen, so a peaceful slumber may be just a matter of regular use. There are, however, many downsides to go along with the product. Only some ten percent of customers have found that Breathe Right strips had a positive influence, most claimed there was little or no improvement. Some reviewers found the strips intrusive and uncomfortable; others expressed frustration at having to buy a new pack every week. The strips certainly are not a long-term solution, but for heavy snorers can be a welcome relief.
A permanent but extremely expensive option is corrective medical treatment, ranging from simple braces to complex surgery. Depending on your doctor’s input, this can be a complete fix for a severe snorer’s woes, but only those with extreme sleep apnea or respiratory problems are recommended to seek out the medical option. Some sufferers of sleep apnea can have their airways blocked for several seconds at a time during the night, meaning that the operation is certainly a healthier option. The surgery can cost anywhere from five to twenty thousand dollars, however, so many customers simply cannot afford it. Those that do, however, report that almost all their respiratory problems ceased after they had had the operation, and very few had recurring problems afterward.