If you are struggling with snoring, you may have tried to use some snoring devices to alleviate it. However, there is one type of sleep disorder that doesn’t respond to these over-the-counter quick-fix remedies and this is central sleep apnea. In this article, we’ll take a look at the causes of snoring and the typical treatments used to get it under control.

Common Causes of Snoring

The most common causes of snoring are allergies that restrict proper nasal breathing, enlarged tonsils, excess body fat, alcohol consumption, and sleep apnea. In addition to these causes, over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids as well as sedatives for anxiety and depression can cause snoring.

Types of Snoring Devices

People who snore often turn to snoring devices to help both themselves and their sleep partners get their much-needed rest.

Snoring devices commonly used to prevent snoring include:

  • Mouth Guards – Mouth guards, also called mandible adjusters, are devices that are inserted into the mouth to reposition the upper jaw so the tongue doesn’t vibrate against the back of the throat during sleep.
  • Chin Straps – Chin straps are another popular type of snoring device and seem to work well for those whose snoring is caused by obesity. Chin straps hold your mouth closed during sleep and positions your jaw in a forward position that helps keep your tongue from dropping back into your throat.
  • Nasal Strips – Nasal strips are ideal snoring devices for allergy sufferers who have difficulty with nasal swelling and inflammation. Using adhesive, they sit on top of your nose and gently open your nostrils so airflow is freer.
  • Throat Sprays – Throat sprays are one of the newest and perhaps most controversial types of stop-snoring devices. They operate on the principle that ingredients such as menthol and peppermint numb the throat and decrease snoring.
  • CPAP Machines – For individuals who struggle with sleep apnea, doctors commonly recommend the use of a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure” which cuts down on snoring and breathing lapses by basically doing some of the breathing for the sufferer. It can make a night and day difference from most sleep apnea sufferers.

 

Sleep Apnea and Snoring Devices

 

If you’re a snorer, it’s important to rule out sleep apnea before trying any over-the-counter snoring devices. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by extremely loud snoring followed by periods of silence where the snorer stops breathing entirely.

snoring devices not recommended for everyone

There are two types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When the airway becomes narrowed, blocked or floppy, breathing can cease for long minutes during deep sleep. This can create serious health problems and put the sufferer at risk for cardiac and neurological difficulties. Oftentimes, this type of sleep apnea, when mild, can be successfully treated using over-the-counter devices for snoring. Oftentimes, however, the use of CPAP machine is recommended.

  • Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is one of the least common of the sleep disorders affecting only a small percentage of the population. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a problem with throat muscles, central sleep apnea is a neurological dysfunction. It is characterized by the inability of your brain to accurately communicate with the muscles that control your breathing.

The cause of central sleep apnea is largely unknown. However, there have been suggestions that the Standard American Diet may have something to do with it. Millions of people drink soda laden with aspartame, a potent neurotoxin, everyday. Nutritional deficiencies such as magnesium deficiency may also be to blame for any neurological disturbance, including central sleep apnea.

 

Treatments for Central Sleep Apnea

If you have been diagnosed with central sleep apnea, the only device for snoring that would be effective in treating your sleep disorder is a CPAP machine. The symptoms of central sleep apnea may also be alleviated by cutting aspartame from your diet and adding a chelated magnesium supplement to improve your neurological health.

A visit to a chiropractor may also prove to be an excellent remedy for central sleep insomnia. Chiropractic physicians don’t just treat back problems, they make subtle adjustments to the back and spine designed to remove any energetic blockages that prevent proper communication from the brain to the rest of the body.

If you suspect that sleep apnea is causing your snoring, visit a specialist for a sleep study. You will be much better able to treat your problem at home or with a CPAP machine once you know what’s causing you to saw logs throughout the night. Don’t wait a day longer. Better sleep (and better health) is just around the corner!

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