INSCMagazine: Get Social!

Snoring can be common and often times it doesn’t mean anything serious is going on. People snore for many reasons from sinus irritation and the common cold to being intoxicated or extremely exhausted or stressed out. For most snoring once in a while is a normal part of life and doesn’t require any type of preventative measure of treatment. For some snoring happens once in a while and an at home treatment such as snoring chin straps, or nasal patches and strips might be used as needed. For some the snoring becomes chronic and is indicative of a much more serious condition that requires a much different treatment approach.

Treatments such as chinstraps are not always safe when used as a stand-alone treatment. When an actual sleep disorder is present this may not be enough to keep airways open and might actually exacerbate the problem. The best course of action when snoring becomes a frequent and troublesome condition is to see a doctor to assess whether home treatment is the safest and most appropriate course of action. Though snoring chin straps are excellent for occasional problems and specific types of snoring, they are not a universal treat all. Nasal patches however; might be the proper treatment in some apnea cases, though again it is a situation of ensuring the right treatment is chosen for your specific type of problem.

A sleep study can be done to determine exactly what is going on in your body, and why snoring has become a problem. It is likely that you are experiencing some of the symptoms of sleep and oxygen deprivation if you have been suffering from snoring regularly for long. You may be noticing that it is getting difficult to get up in the morning, or you may be feeling achy and moody. Other symptoms that have been reported include a general brain fogginess, or lack of memory. These are all normal for those not receiving enough time in the proper sleep stages. The other problem is a lack of sufficient oxygenation caused by closing airways, which is typically related to the snoring conditions. The brain, muscles and other tissues demand a high quantity of oxygen at all times and even the smallest disruption in its delivery can have significant damaging results.

Home treatments are excellent for some sufferers and can be dangerous for others, so be sure you take the additional measure of having yourself checked out before determining which treatments are going to be right for you. There are many to choose from and snoring chin straps are only one of many possible choices. Be sure to have an honest and open dialogue with your doctor so he/she knows what types of treatments will best fit your lifestyle and specific needs. Sleep is not optional and the quality of your sleep truly determines the quality of your daily life. Don’t take chances with something so precious.