Snoring Treatment Strategies

You don’t have to resign yourself to living with snoring. There are a number of snoring remedies that have proven successful for many sufferers. At Renewing Sleep, we’ve studied many treatment strategies and like the list below, they should only be used with the consultation or assistance of a trained professional.

  • Oral appliances: If you have a mild to moderate snoring condition, a snoring mouth piece may be all you need to treat the disorder. With this treatment, Dr. Kleive will fit you with an acrylic retainer-like device that is worn over the teeth or tongue while sleeping. The snoring mouth piece helps to keep the airway open and reduces the breathing interruptions caused by snoring and sleep apnea. Those suffering from more severe obstructive sleep apnea may require more advanced snoring remedies. Oral appliances are often the least intrusive, most portable and affordable option for those who have mild to moderate sleep apnea. Contact us for a no fee consultation to discuss if oral appliances are the right treatment for you.
  • Alternate sleeping positions: Back sleepers experience greater degrees of snoring and sleep apnea, as gravity forces the tongue and uvula to fall back and obstruct the airway. Many doctors recommend turning to sleep on the side and keeping the head elevated to promote healthy breathing patterns.
  • Diet and alcohol intake: For many snorers, consuming foods that contain allergens can inflame the mucous membranes and exacerbate their disorder. Avoid consuming any known culprits in the few hours before going to bed. Alcohol can also make snoring worse; refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages at night.
  • Weight loss: Overweight individuals are more prone to snoring, as the extra weight puts more pressure on mouth and throat tissues, resulting in a narrowed breathing passage. Many snorers have found that losing weight alleviates their symptoms, although this treatment is often combined with other snoring remedies.
  • Throat or jaw surgery: For extremely severe cases that don’t respond to snoring mouth pieces or other snoring remedies, a sleep professional may recommend a surgical procedure. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is the most common surgery, in which some of the soft palate (roof of the mouth) and uvula are removed to keep the airway open. A more intensive surgery is uvulopalatopharyngioplasty (UPPP), which involves the complete removal of the uvula and more of the soft palate. During somnoplasty, a radio frequency is applied to the soft palate and tongue to cause scarring that reduces tissue vibration.

As we mentioned above, before starting treatment, consult with a qualified sleep professional like Dr. Kleive. For some folks, a minor lifestyle change can produce major results. For others, a combination of treatments is most effective. Every person is different and their treatment plan should be designed specifically for them. At Renewing Sleep, we are a no-pressure office. We will move at the pace you are comfortable with and if we cannot help you, we will find someone who can. Read what our patients say about us.
Ready to take control of your sleep patterns with an effective snoring remedy? Contact our office at (828)669-2974 or send us an email for a no fee consultation.