Don’t Let Snoring Keep You Up at Night
With so many people suffering from snoring, the number of home remedies has soared. Unfortunately, most do little to alleviate the problem that keeps millions of Americans awake each night. By age 60, roughly 40% of women and 60% of men snore. This is often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
Whether it’s tennis balls sewn into pajama backs or special pillows that stretch the neck and throat tissues, home remedies have been far from effectual. “Most of these options are not FDA approved and do not work well,” says Dr. Mas Takashima, director of the Sinus Center at Baylor College of Medicine. “People have even tried shock therapy for snoring. This is not effective because snoring is an involuntary process.”
Many modern medical treatments have also addressed the problem. In 1981, clinical trials began on continuous positive airway pressure therapy. CPAP entails the use of a breathing mask to stiffen the walls of the throat. The intention is to keep the floppy tissue from blocking the airway.
Another solution, Fujita UPPP, involves surgical correction of sleep apnea. Although successful for some patients, it requires extensive cutting of the mouth and throat, making it extremely painful.
The latest and least painful option for sleep apnea is the hypoglossal nerve stimulator. It’s basically a pacemaker for the tongue. This FDA-approved device is inserted under the clavicle and connects to the tongue and chest muscles through wires.
According to Takashima, “The new treatment uses stimulation of natural mechanisms of the body to prevent breathing obstructions.”
If you or someone you care about suffers from snoring, it’s definitely worth exploring the options. Aside from leaving you feeling tired the next day, a loss of sleep can lead to more serious medical problems. Let MD Now help you determine the cause and the most appropriate course of treatment for your needs.
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