Non-Hazardous Snoring

• For the most part, snoring can be annoying, but harmless to the snorer. This type of snoring can often be taken care of with over-the-counter remedies such as nasal strips that can open the airways into the nose and alleviate the blockage. There are several lifestyle changes that can lead to a reduction in snoring. Losing weight and exercising has been shown to decrease snoring especially in those who are overweight or obese and sleeping on you side or stomach rather than your back has also been shown to decrease snoring.
  
  If snoring is persistent or leads to restless nights, there are more dramatic methods of relieving snoring. There are several forms of nasal and palette implants available that can help to open airways, but these often are expensive and many require either surgery or special fittings. For those who have difficulty breathing through their nose instead of their mouth, there are harnesses that will cause the mouth to stay shut when the person is asleep, forcing her to breathe through her nose.
  
  

Sleep Apnea

• Snoring can be a symptom of a much larger problem known as sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea will actually stop breathing for periods of time while sleeping, sometimes hundreds of times a night and for more than a minute. Sleep apnea can be caused either by blockage of the airway or a neurological condition where the brain does not signal the muscles to breathe. Gone untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, fatigue, impotency and weight gain.
  
  The most common treatment of sleep apnea is through the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP is a mask that blows a constant flow of air into your nasal passages and prevents your throat from becoming blocked. A CPAP should only be prescribed by a doctor after an extensive study of your condition. CPAPs have been shown to be very effective in the treatment of sleep apnea, but this is a treatment, not a cure. Once the mask is taken away, the apnea begins again.