Snoring Remedies

Relatively Less Known Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Two of the common obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include loud, persistent snoring and daytime fatigue. Sleep apnea is characterized by snoring and breathing cessations that may last for a few seconds to up to an hour of sleep. When an apnea episode occurs, sleeper wakes up momentarily gasping for breath.

If left untreated, the health issue can affect the respiratory system and even lead to premature death. However, the sleep disorder is not without treatments, one of them being the sleep apnea mouthpiece that advances the lower jaw for a better flow of air. It is suggested especially for mild to moderate apnea with loud snoring.

Even a home sleep study is advised to individuals to diagnose apnea through the existence of its associated symptoms. It is based on the findings of the diagnosis done at home of the person that non-invasive treatments are prescribed to them in oral appliance therapy. However, even though the anti snoring mouthpiece can be bought over-the-counter, proper diagnosis is a must to understand if the person suffers from apnea and necessitates timely treatment.

Below are two relatively less known symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Acid Reflux

Heartburn is a relatively less known sign that may signify the probability of apnea. A majority of people with acid reflux tend to wake up from a deep sleep state. Breathing obstruction can suction up the digestive fluids known as gastric juice, which gets secreted inside the stomach. This secretion of gastric acid may increase after bedtime, which can reduce the pressure in the upper esophageal sphincter.

Once acid suctions up and reaches the throat, it may lead to swelling of the throat area. If you have tonsils, the throat may enlarge, and if so, that may obstruct the normal breathing process.

That is why doctors suggest healthy eating practice before bedtime in oral appliance therapy in order to help people reduce acid reflux. Besides, it is advisable not to eat around 3 to 4 hours prior to sleep, especially if you suffer from sleep apnea.

Bed Wetting

Although involuntary urination during the night is associated with children, it can also indicate apnea among adults. If you suffer from bed wetting in childhood, you may encounter other apnea symptoms such as loud snoring, waking up from sleep due to coughing, and sleep patterns similar to sleepwalking disorder.

Bed wetting worsens even as other symptoms of sleep apnea advances through aging. Therefore, those suffering from this condition should seek treatment timely treatment from health care experts.

The Link between Sleep Apnea and Frequent Nighttime Urination

Snoring Remedies

Sleep Apnea And Nighttime Urination

If you experience frequent nighttime urination (Nocturia), then it is a clear sign that there is something wrong with your urinary system. However, blaming it on the bladder or other vital constituents of the urinary system alone is not the right way. You should be able to identify the cause of triggering such frequent night trips to the bathroom.

Many new studies are pointing out that there is a definite link between nighttime urination and sleep apnea. The studies have concluded that about a majority of the patients with sleep apnea report frequent urination at night.

Nocturia is commonly attributed to sleep loss and can interfere with the normal cycles of sleep. This can cause various health issues to develop in the individual over time. The studies have found out that the rate of urination is higher for patients with sleep apnea. This means that they experience frequent interruptions during sleep that can hinder their sleep quality and leave them fatigued in the following days. Nocturia can voluntary awake a person to empty the bladder.

Researchers earlier thought the problem to be caused due to a full bladder. They did not see any role of sleep issues in regards to the problem and were convinced it was caused due to other factors. However, the number of patients diagnosed with frequent nighttime urination had sleep apnea and this led the study into a new direction. It was also not treated at the right time since the cause remains undiscovered.

Actually, the way sleep apnea cause Nocturia is based entirely on several physiological effects. If you suffer from sleep apnea, the tissues and muscles of your throat can become relaxed causing obstructions in the airway. This leads to a decrease in the oxygen reaching the lungs and to other parts most importantly the brain. This can result in a drop in heart rate, constriction of blood vessels, acidic content in the blood, etc.

The heart can interpret these changes as excess fluid in the system. It then signals a hormone signaling the kidneys to release the urine collected in the bladder, thus causing you the urge to urinate. However, the problem of frequent nighttime urination, if caused due to sleep apnea, can resolved by the use of various kinds of snoring devices such as a CPAP machine. It can act as an effective snoring remedy to prevent any kind of obstruction in the airways, thus reducing the chances of sleep disruptions, and limiting the incidences of nighttime urination.

How to Alleviate Dry Mouth Due to an Open Mouth

Apnea Chin Strap

Problems Due To Snoring

Dry mouth leads to nasal congestions, whereas a dry throat induces a sore throat in an apnea patient. Dry mouth often occurs due to the sleep posture of the patient and the position of the mouth and tongue to be precise. If you sleep slack-jawed with mouth open, chances are that you may wake up with a dry mouth feeling thirsty or gasping for air. That is one of the reasons, why many sleep apnea patients keep a glass of water by the bedside to tackle the symptom. However, waking up frequently for water would disrupt the sleep pattern.

Remedy for Dry Mouth with Apnea Chin Strap

You can use an apnea chin strap to keep the mouth closed throughout the sleep and avoid the chances of dry mouth in the morning. Even if you roll on the bed during sleep, the airtight seal would keep the mouth closed in turn providing a better flow of air and a peaceful sleep.

Improving Tongue Position

Many people abandon CPAP therapy since dry mouth can be caused by air leaks from the oxygen mask worn in Continuous Positive Airway Therapy. Practice how to keep the tongue pressed to the surface of the mouth. Try to seal the lips prior to sleep, make a small suction inside the mouth, and push the tongue forward against the teeth and surface of the mouth. This sleep posture would hold the tongue firmly in position and would help prevent dry mouth during sleep.

Eliminating the Underlying Cause

You should understand why you are breathing through the mouth. It could be due to a blockage in the nasal cavity like congestions or even a deviated septum. If you are experiencing dry throat alongside a stuffy nose, you might need to discuss the same with the sleep specialist. The CPAP therapy may be tough for you especially if you are facing breathing difficulties due to nasal congestion.

Your doctor may suggest you to use a heated humidifier alongside the CPAP mask and recommend keeping the heat settings to a certain level in that case. Oftentimes, the tubing may become condensed but using the humidifier can potentially eliminate that by adding moisture and warmth to the air.

Can Snoring Cause Brain Damage

Snoring Mouth Guard

Snoring And Brain Damage

Snoring gets worse with age and is known to affect a majority of the population. However, loud and persistent snoring can even prove to be harmful to the brain if left untreated in time. Snoring causes lethargic sleep and daytime fatigue. Yet if you or loved ones snore loudly at night, you should understand that there are many health risks associated with the sleep disorder. Below are three ways in which snoring can affect the brain functions.

On a Physical Level

Research shows if OSA is left untreated, it can affect the brain’s shape, neutrons, and even the brain chemicals. An apnea episode in sleep includes breathing cessations, which can last a few seconds to an hour of sleep. Apnea deprives adequate oxygen supply to the brain. That and fatigue combined may inflict a physical damage to the brain apart from depriving sleep. The physical damage caused by apnea may cause stress, memory loss, and may affect the cognition of an individual.

On a Psychological Level

Studies show that heavy snorers, or those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, are prone to encounter memory loss and cognitive disorders at a young age. While it is a proven fact that snoring and cognitive impairment are related, it is yet to be determined if snoring is the underlying cause of the same. Yet again, studies throw findings that indicate treating snoring and apnea can delay the beginning of the health condition.

Sleep Disruptions

Sleep disruptions can deprive you of a good quality sleep at night. Getting adequate sleep would improve the functionality of the brain with respect to memory, creativity, and thought process. Even a power nap can make the person stay alert, so think about getting a peaceful sleep without the loud sound of snoring.

Thankfully, there are remedies for all types of snoring whether due to nasal congestions, a deviated septum, mouth breathing, wisdom teeth, or even a receding throat. If receding throat is causing snoring in you, wear a snoring mouth guard before bedtime. The Mandibular Advancement Device advances the lower jaw and clears the obstructions in the back of the mouth. This facilitates free flow of air and alleviates snoring issues effectively.

You can also try alternative remedies to stop snoring and improve sleep patterns. Moreover, staying agile and fresh by exercising in daytime would also help to clear snoring and improve your overall mental and physical health.

Snoring Linked to Behavioral Problems in Children – New Studies Suggest

Snoring Devices

Behavioral Problems In Children

The aftereffects of snoring among children may be more serious and complicated than previously thought. New studies have revealed that there exists a strong link between snoring and the development of certain behavioral problems in children such as hyperactivity and aggression.

In the study, researchers took a sample of children aged between 2 and 33, and found out that snoring among them is linked to a range of behavioral issues. The data obtained from the research indicated that about 35 percent of the children belonging to both ages exhibited such behavioral problems and its associated symptoms.

Such behavioral problems can critically hamper the normal psychological development of the child. It can lead to the development of certain neurological or psychological disorders over time when left untreated that can affect the child’s future considerably. The causes are varying as the studies have shown that snoring among children can result in a lack of quality sleep. This prevents the brain and the nervous system from getting sufficient rest thus leading to the development of many issues.

The studies were conducted across many medical institutions and research centers worldwide. They have all surprisingly arrived at the same conclusion that snoring is certainly linked to development problems in children. Researchers collected data from the parents as well to find out the children’s sleeping patterns, habits, and other activities. Besides, the researchers also conducted a direct assessment of the participating children at repeated intervals to find out any changes in their behavioral patterns.

Snoring can result in the child to experience more difficulty in breathing during sleep. It can also be caused by cold, allergies, or inflammation of the adenoid glands. Such breathing difficulties during snoring can interfere the normal sleep cycles of a child that can result in considerable changes in their mood and behavior. Besides, lack of proper sleep can hinder the normal development of the pathways amongst the neuron cells in the brain.

Such neurological development is crucial in childhood and any interference to the process can result in changes. Thus, snoring among children should be treated seriously, be it short term or long term, and the appropriate medical help should be sought at the earliest. Curing snoring is the best way to ensure the normal neurological and psychological growth of children.

Using snoring devices like anti snore mouth guards is preferred as they fit in promptly into the oral cavities of children. It is a cheaper and non-invasive option and can prevent snoring from occurring in children. Such snoring aids can further ensure the right craniofacial development in the child that will prevent snoring from occurring again in the future.

Sleep Apnea and Shift Work Disorder

Snoring Remedies

Shift Work Disorder

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound due to obstructed air movement while breathing during sleep. Having said that, in most of the cases, snoring may lead to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is the worst case of the sleep disorder.

In OSA, one will find it really hard to breathe properly and the brain and the rest of the body may not get enough oxygen. There are 3 types of sleep apnea – Obstructive, Central, and Mixed, and the Obstructive type is the most common sleeping disorder among them.

In modern society, almost everybody is employed and most of them are doing shift works, which could be a great concern for your health. Furthermore, a new study states that around 20 million Americans are deprived of proper sleep because of their hectic work schedule. This means that you are disturbing the biological clock of your body, which will cause many consequences including serious sleep disorders. This can be harmful to your health as well as your career, as you could be thoughtless and may run into accidents at work due to sleep deprivation.

Anything that interferes with the amount and quality of sleep as the shift work does can worsen sleep apnea. In addition, scientists have observed that night shift work significantly worsens the relevance of sleep apnea events and the worst case is the fast rotating shifts. Unsurprisingly, patients with mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea can tolerate a short time sleep deprivation, whereas for the ones with more severe disorder, the frequency of apneic events may increase with sleep or wakefulness rhythm disturbance.

A recent study using daytime and nighttime Polysomnograph showed that shift workers experience more frequent breathing pauses while sleeping and higher oxygen de-saturation levels. Both measures showed that shift workers had more severe symptoms of sleep apnea. This is quite alarming considering the fact that such sleep disorders can get worse with time.

Besides worsening sleep apnea, night shift work or the fast rotating shift work, which results in the inversion of sleep-wake schedules, has many other side effects as well, such as:

  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Loud snoring
  • Gastrointestinal disorder
  • Cardiovascular disturbance
  • Diabetes
  • Breast cancer
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Hypertension
  • Myocardial infarction

In short, shift work and sleep apnea are the worst possible combination. So the best way to counter any severe effects of shift work or sleep apnea would be to treat the underlying issue. In case of OSA, there are many snoring remedies, which can effectively treat the condition and offer you a good night’s sleep. Consult with a doctor today to plan a course of action and regain a healthy body and mind.

What Is a Home Sleep Study for Sleep Apnea

Mouthpiece For Sleep Apnea

Home Sleep Study

As the name implies, a home sleep study is an unattended test being conducted in a person’s home to diagnose the probability of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. The sleep disorder is characterized by breathing difficulties and loud snoring at night. People having apnea experience in difficulties in breathing due to a receding tongue problem.

If the home sleep study does not suggest the apnea chances, then a laboratory test may be needed to confirm the probability of apnea. Generally, people suffering from respiratory issues, neuromuscular diseases, or obstructive pulmonary diseases are ideal candidates for an in-lab study. If you are in good health but fear that the sleep disorder is affecting your sleep, you should get the home sleep study first.

How Home Sleep Apnea Test Works

Devices used in home sleep steady analyze the sleep patterns, breathing, and oxygen levels in the blood and diagnose sleep apnea. Devices for home sleep study are given by a sleep center to the patient’s home and have wires and motion sensors that measure the same. Some of the devices may also record loud snoring and your sleep posture. Sleep pathologists from sleep centers would tell you how to place the device for the sleep apnea test, and how to operate it. The test may take from 1 to 3 nights or more. The patient can get the proposed remedies for snoring and OSA following a discussion with the doctor.

Another option to diagnose the probability of loud snoring is by using mobile applications in sleep. Such kinds of apps can be downloaded for free and let you self-measure sleep patterns and breathing patterns and then discuss the health matter over with medics.

Remedies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Some of the proposed remedies for mild to moderate OSA include the Mandibular Advancement Device often referred to as the mouthpiece for sleep apnea. The anti-snoring mouthpiece is worn on the lower jaw and it would keep the tongue forward for a better flow of air and is one of the non-invasive snoring remedies that can heal sleep apnea.

Relation between Snoring and Sex

Apnea Chin Strap

Snoring Related Problems

As per the latest studies, snoring not only disrupts sleep, but also the happiness of people. A new Ipsos-Reid survey found that at least fifty-eight percent of married residents of Ontario complain about the snoring problems of their partner. Many of the participants of the survey also admitted that the loud snoring of their partner has an impact on their sex life. Thirty-six percent of the participants agreed to the statement “On most nights I would rather share my bed with a good sleeper who doesn’t snore than a good lover who will keep me up with their snoring.”

Sue Johanson, who is a sex therapist said “The next morning she gets up she’s cranky … and of course he can’t understand what it’s all about. And then the relationship starts to disintegrate. Then, of course, she gets thoroughly P.O.’d, so she decides to migrate to the sofa, or push comes to shove, she boots him out to the sofa.”

There can be many reasons for your partner to make those sounds while sleeping and sleep apnea is one of the most serious causes that you need to watch out for. “Most snorers I think should have a sleep study,” says ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr. Everton Gooden. “It’s the only way that we can reliably diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.” So you might be probably wondering what to do if your partner snores at night? The answer is simple you can make use of an Apnea chin strap to control snoring caused by sleep apnea.

Snoring and Libido

Health experts say that the quality of sleep can affect your sex life and that sleep quality and sex life are correlated. Latest studies in this field conclude that lack of sleep can affect the libido of a person. This is because the decrease in energy level due to lack of quality sleep can lead to stress and tension, which will not allow the person to relax. We all know that a relaxed mind is inevitable to have good sex.

Your snoring will not only affect your sleep but also the sleep of your partner. You will be fatigued all the time and your sex life will not be smoother or happier. In addition, side effects of low energy like anxiety, malaise, and crankiness can lead to issues in relationships and low sex drive. Chronic sleep conditions like sleep apnea can negatively affect the ability of the body to produce testosterone, which is the sex hormone. When the body gets a good night’s sleep the level of testosterone will rise naturally to help you sustain a good libido. Therefore, it is important to stop snoring to have a healthy.

How Playing a Wind Instrument may Help you to Overcome Snoring

Snoring Remedies

Overcome Snoring Issues

A Didgeridoo resembles the look of a long Vuvuzela and has been trendy for many years not only in Australia but also in many other cultures world over. However, not many know that a Didgeridoo can be used to alleviate standard cases of snoring or snoring related issues. In fact, many studies say that it is one of the most counted-on wind instruments to stop snoring just like many of the anti snoring devices.

Just like singing aloud, or using a stop snoring mouthpiece, there is a reason why playing a Didgeridoo may help one to overcome snoring. Snoring occurs due to a vibration when the airway gets partially blocked in the nasal cavity or the back of the throat during sleep. A proper exercise for the tissues in the mouth would improve the airway structure for a free flow of air. The upper airway allowing you to breathe freely would clear the snoring issues, provided one masters playing the Didgeridoo.

There is a flipside to this though, even as playing the instrument is quite fun and motivates the snorers to try alternate snoring remedies. However, there are people who feel even airing a balloon is somewhat tough. Didgeridoo is not that difficult to play for an instrument except for you practice. Further, to persist with the snoring remedy with practice can be backed up with a proper schedule.

Researchers suggest that those who practice playing the wind instrument have felt a marginal improvement in the sleep quality, with snoring reduced substantially during sleep. Just as you learn to cope up with wind force and master the technique as time moves on, increase practice time to an hour each day in a week.

You should play the wind instrument using your breath only – ‘circular breathing’ as some people say it. Start with small targets like half an hour to one hour in the starting few days in the first week with Didgeridoo experiment. You won’t just play the instrument for snoring; you breathe through the nose, release air via the mouth using the muscles in the cheek as well as tongue to exert air force, and produce the loud sound of a Didgeridoo.