Is There A Best Cure For Snoring
If you’re a snorer there are many devices and therapies to choose from when looking for the best cure for snoring. There are mouth guards that can reduce snoring, nasal devices and dilators, a snoring chin strap, anti-snoring pillows, hypnosis and exercise therapies.
Before trying any stop snoring therapies it is important to eliminate the possibility of the potentially dangerous condition of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a a doctor or by attending a sleep laboratory or clinic.
It is also necessary to take care of any underlying health concerns that may have a bearing on your snoring.
A further option available to a person who is a heavy snorer is to undergo surgery. Under some circumstances this can be the best cure for snoring and although the results may often prove to be disappointing there are several different types of surgery that can be performed.
Palatopharyngoplasty (PPP) is a type of surgery that enlarges the airway at the tonsillar area. The operation may involve the shortening the uvula, partial removal of the soft palate and removal of tonsils and adenoids. This is designed to increase the amount of airflow and reduce the amount of vibrating tissue in the throat.
This procedure may only be a temporary method of ending snoring. Some research studies suggest that within two years only forty percent of snorers that have undergone this surgery continue to report having their snoring stopped or definitely lessened.
A less expensive alternative to palatopharyngoplasty is laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) that makes use of laser techniques to shorten the uvula as well as vaporize parts of the soft palate. Though palatopharyngoplasty must be performed under general anesthetic, uvulopalatoplasty can be performed under local anesthetic.
LAUP may be slightly more effective than PPP although some studies indicate the failure rate can be as high as 40% for both procedures and the patients do not resolve their snoring problem.
A third type of surgery is cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty in which the surgeon uses a heated wire or electrode instead of a laser to burn or scar some or all of the uvula and palate. The effectiveness of this form of treatment is similar to other surgical operations for snoring and this procedure is easy to perform and may be less painful.
It should be noted, however, that most patients report severe post operative pain with any of these surgical procedures so surgery may not be the best cure for snoring.
August 26, 2009
Sleep Apnea And Insomnia: Types Of Sleep Disorders
Among the many different sleep disorders that a person may have to contend with, sleep apnea and insomnia rank among the worst and,in fact, when it concerns sleep apnea, it is believed that this dangerous sleep disorder affects as many as one in every fifteen Americans. This totals roughly eighteen million Americans. Though sleep apnea and insomnia are both sleep disorders, they are quite different as sleep apnea involves a person that while asleep, will momentarily stop breathing . This,of course, is different than insomnia in where the difficulty is either falling or staying asleep.
Different Paths to Wellness
Though both are sleep disorders, sleep apnea and insomnia are treated in different manners. Sleep apnea usually requires medical intervention whereas insomnia only requires medical intervention in the event the symptoms are especially severe. There are different forms of sleep apnea which include the commonest form known as obstructive sleep apnea.
It has also as yet not been determined why some people suffer from sleep apnea and insomnia while others do not. However, many studies are being conducted on both sleep apnea and insomnia and these will hopefully shed more light on the subject in the years to come. Although treatment of sleep apnea and insomnia are different, using natural treatments in either instance is preferable as use of drug-based medications as the side effects can often cause unnecessary and potentially dangerous side effects.
Natural treatment of sleep apnea and insomnia can work just as effectively as medications and the risks of side effects are greatly reduced. Of course, treatments for sleep apnea and insomnia vary because the symptoms and the conditions are different in either case. While treating sleep apnea requires use of a method known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) there is no such similar treatment solution when it concerns treating a case of insomnia – regardless of how severe the insomnia problem is.
Both sleep apnea and insomnia are dangerous forms of sleep disorders that must be properly diagnosed and treated. The search for the best treatment of sleep deprivation or insomnia has led the medical community into new areas where exciting breakthroughs have taken place. With methods such as subliminal audio therapy, there is now hope that people suffering from insomnia will find a way that will relieve them of thier insomnia symptoms. Research hopefully results in a cure for these sleep disorders.
Finding A Natural Remedy For Insomnia
If you began to experience problems getting to sleep at night and it was having a negative impact on your overall health what would you do about it? According to statistics one in five adult Americans suffer from chronic insomnia, a long-term problem. A surprising number of these chronic insomniacs rely on prescription sleeping aids and they are not just taking them on a temporary basis. These prescription sleeping aids can cause dependency and withdrawal and may even lead to fatal overdose if mixed with certain medications. They also have a number of other potential side effects. That’s why it really is much better to seek out a natural remedy for insomnia.
Straightforward Changes
There is a distinct possibility that the best cure for sleeplessness is right under your nose. There are dozens of different home remedies for insomnia and all of them are free. For instance one good natural remedy for insomnia is to reset your body’s thermostat. You can do this by taking a hot bath or making a warm cup of milk or relaxing chamomile tea before going to bed. A few simple amendments to your bedroom environment could also make all the difference. Start by removing any distractions such as books, telephones, television sets or notebook computers. You want the bedroom to be a place for sleeping.
Another effective natural remedy for insomnia is to make sure the bedroom is a comfortable place to sleep. A cool, well ventilated room that is both quiet and dark is ideal. Always go to bed at the same time every night since this will help to regulate your body clock. Before you go to bed, set your alarm for the same time in the morning and then place it somewhere where you cannot see it from your bed and forget about the time.
Alter Your Thinking
Often insomniacs claim that their own brain is what stops them from being able to sleep at night. Before an insomniac retires for the night, he is plagued by the worry if he will be able to get any sleep. Once he turns out the light he lies there overanalyzing the day’s events, obsessing over his worries, and wondering why he is unable to sleep. This line of thought obviously isn’t conducive to sleep. In order to fall into sleep at night one must clear one's mind. Therefore altering one’s bedtime rituals is arguably the best natural remedy for insomnia, but it is easier said than done. The help of a hypnotherapist or psychotherapist may be required.
Diet And Supplements
If a person eats a nutritious diet and takes a good multivitamin his body will be able to produce everything it needs for optimal health. There are certain vitamins, minerals and supplements that the body requires for healthy sleeping patterns. Vitamin B12 is a natural remedy for insomnia, as is magnesium and the essential amino acid L-Tryptophan. Many foods we eat contain these remedies or we can get them through supplements. Other supplements such as the hormone melatonin or the herb valerian can also be used as a natural remedy for insomnia, but you will need to consult with your doctor before trying them.
Here is a good online source for more information.
August 25, 2009
Want Better Quality Sleep? Avoid These 5 Mistakes
Looking for better quality sleep? Here’s 5 Mistakes to Avoid.
The majority of us experience poor sleep from time to time. If we’re lucky it may only be for a couple of nights, but some people have poor or unrefreshing sleep nearly all the time. So how can we all have better quality sleep? Here’s 5 things NOT to do!
Avoid sleeping late on the weekend —
It’s so tempting isn’t it? After all we don’t have to leap out of bed and catch a train. But please resist the temptation to sleep in on weekends. You’ll upset your circadian rhythm (body clock) and your sleep pattern will be disrupted.
Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day maintains a healthy circadian rhythm. It’s one of the most important habits to acquire for a better night’s sleep.
Make sure you have something interesting planned for the weekend so you’ll want to get up early.
Don’t drink before bed, it’ll wake you up later —
But doesn’t alcohol help you relax and go to sleep? Well, yes that’s true. The trouble is it also wakes you up a few hours later as it metabolizes in the body. Limit yourself to one drink with dinner if you can
Working on your computer just before bed will wake up your brain —
We get so busy sometimes that we have to squeeze things in where we can and before bed seems like an ideal time. But did you know that working on your computer, or even surfing late at night can speed up brainwave activity. Staring at the bright computer screen can affect your sleep rhythm for the night. Save computer tasks for the next morning, you’ll be more alert and will probably get thing done a lot quicker.
Don’t lie in bed and worry about everything —
Easier said than done I realize. This was one of the things that always used to keep me awake when I was dealing with insomnia. During the day our thoughts are occupied with our daily activities, but as soon as we get into bed it seems to trigger the worry button and out thoughts come streaming into our minds, keeping us awake for hours. Id you’re a dedicated worrier like me, you’ll find something to worry about even when things are going well!
The best anti-worry strategy is to create a worry time – say 20 minutes – before bed. Spend this time worrying solid about anything and everything. Write the worries down in a journal and declare, “I will worry about this tomorrow”. You’ll be amazed how well this works.
Wait until you’re feeling sleepy before turning off the light —
It’s worth spending some time winding down before trying to sleep. Either by doing some slow breathing or reading for a while. Some people find reading in bed keeps them awake while others find it helps them sleep. Try it to see how it works for you.
Hopefully knowing about these 5 mistakes will improve your bedtime habits and help you get the better quality sleep you need.
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