In this video I’ll tell you how to stop snoring.
I'll walk you step-by-step
back to quiet nights and alert days.
Keep watching and I'll explain the 5 Step Process.
BUT, there’s nothing here about things you spray up your nose or boil in a pan in the kitchen…
I’m Adrian Zacher founder of Snorer.com
Oh and don’t worry about taking notes because I’ve put together a free download for you.
I will give you the link at the end.
Now, it seems everyone finds snoring funny
[snoring noise]
Unless they have to listen to it every night.
There’s a really important caution here: If you (or your partner?) are drowsy when
you should be awake see your GP immediately. Drowsiness may be a symptom of sleep apnoea.
Sleep what? Keep watching - I will explain.
With that let’s jump straight in with step 1.
The 6 self-help ways to stop snoring.
are known as lifestyle changes:
Number1: If you’re overweight, try to lose weight. We get fat inwards as well as outwards
and weight around your neck reduces the diameter of your airway. When your airway gets narrower,
air you breathe has to travel faster and this makes the walls of your airway vibrate (in
other words it makes you snore).
Number 2: Avoid evening alcohol. Yes I know that drinking alcohol in the evening is exactly
when you want to drink it.
Alcohol super relaxes your throat – which makes it floppy and prone to vibrate (and
you snore). – so you have to choose.
Number 3: Stop smoking. Yup the same old message. Smoking inflames the tissues of your throat
which makes your airway narrower, so you snore for the same reason I have covered already.
Number 4:
GET OFF YOUR BACK!
When you sleep on your back gravity pulls your tongue backwards and narrows your airway.
Your mouth may also fall open and as it does so your jaw moves downwards and backwards
and this also narrows your airway. And no, a chinstrap is NOT the answer.
Number 5: Keep your nose clear. If you can’t breathe through your nose you have to breathe
through your mouth. When your mouth opens it moves downwards and backwards – narrowing
the airway in your throat, the air has to travel faster - and you snore.
Additionally, some people find that dairy
products make them ‘stuffy’. Think about alternatives perhaps. So don't use them!
Number 6: Avoid sedative medication i.e. sleeping pills and painkillers (See your GP for alternatives).
Now it’s time for Step 2
Signposting.
Signposting works like this: You answer some questions online and the signposting tool
directs you to the right type of professional to help.
If you have symptoms of sleep apnoea and/or other related health issues you will be directed
to your GP.
If not you will be directed to a sleep-trained dentist.
Now seems an ideal time to outline what obstructive sleep apnoea is.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is when your breathing is disrupted while you are asleep.
The airway in your throat repeatedly narrows and not enough air gets to your lungs despite
continued efforts to breathe. Sufferers snore and may be drowsy in the day because they
must wake up to breathe.
Because the urge to sleep is irresistible there may be disastrous consequences should they fall asleep
when driving or a similar activity.
From here we go on to Step 3 Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Screening is essential and where over-the-counter products fail.
The professional screening you now has 3 options:
Option 1: Referral to a sleep unit for a home sleep apnoea test (I will show you what this
looks like in a moment)
Option 2: Lifestyle change & local management – these are the self-help options we discussed at
the beginning
Option 3: Prescription custom-made dental appliance. Two important points here. These
are prescription devices and are NOT the gumshield things you might see online or in the pharmacy.
Secondly the gumshield gadgets are NOT valid as a way to see if a real dental appliance will work.
First-line therapy meaning the most appropriate option for snoring, as recommended by NICE
is an 'Intra-oral device' also known as a custom-made dental appliance.
The sleep-trained dentist would prescribe what's indicated for you.
There are many to choose from, so do be guided by the expert.
On to Step 4 - Sleep testing and diagnosis.
You’d only need a home sleep apnoea test
if screening raised concerns.
So now assume you’ve been offered an appointment
at the sleep unit for further investigation.
Here we go on to Step 5 - Treatment options
First-line therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea is Positive Airway Pressure or PAP therapy.
That’s when you’d wear this to sleep every night. It pumps air (not oxygen) in via this
mask. The pressured air keeps your airway open and you get the best night’s sleep
you’ve had in years. Oh and you don’t snore wearing this!
Treatment for sleep apnoea is transformational. Patients report feeling 10 years younger.
Of course, some people cannot adjust to or don’t use PAP therapy long-term. This is
when the dental appliance may be considered as a second-line option (the next best thing).
Now, let’s talk about surgery. Surgery may seem appealing as perhaps a ‘quick-fix’.
However, surgery on its own is rarely effective.
Soft tissue surgery for snoring aims to improve the airway in your throat to improve the effect
of an oral appliance.
Whereas hard tissue surgery WHICH WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK, aims to entirely eliminate
the need for other therapies.
Bariatric surgery may exceptionally be considered when your health and quality of life are impacted
by obesity.
Let’s sum up with some simple Do’s and Don’ts:
Do something about snoring. You don’t have to live with the ridicule and social consequences.
Do use our free signposting tool. There's a link in the Description below.
PLEASE, please don't ignore drowsiness in yourself of a loved one.
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