Why Do People Snore and What Can They Do About It?
Snoring is much more than just an inconvenience. This is true for those sleeping within hearing distance and even the one snoring. The most common complaint is the lack of sleep, which could lead to a host of other health issues. Not to mention the process of snoring itself, which indicates that your body is not getting enough oxygen. There are many solutions available in the market, from chin straps to nasal strips. One anti-snoring device that is very popular is the mouthpiece.
Why Do People Snore?
Snoring is a common problem that afflicts both men and women. It happens when the airway is partially blocked by the soft palate, uvula, or the base of the tongue. When a person predisposed to this condition breathes, it causes the vibration of tissues within the throat, creating the snoring sound that you hear. This vibration happens only when the airway muscles are relaxed, which is during sleep.
Why is Snoring Dangerous?
Infrequent snoring without any associated symptoms is not dangerous in and of itself. However, it is often a sign of sleep apnea, which is a serious sleeping disorder characterized by the repeated starts and stops of breathing.
This condition could cause daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, heart complications, type 2 diabetes, liver problems, metabolic syndrome, and complications with surgery and medications. Of course, there is also the deprivation of sleep.
People experiencing mild snoring problems should still consider using an anti-snoring device especially, if it is associated with other symptoms:
- Gasping for breath
- Disrupted sleep
- Grinding of the teeth
- Night sweats
- Atrial fibrillation
- High blood pressure
- Depression and anxiety
- Memory problems
These symptoms often suggest the possibility of sleep apnea and must be treated to improve sleep and the overall quality of life.
How Does the Mouthpiece Work?
The mouthpiece is perhaps the most popular anti-snoring device in the market today, and for good reason. It is very comfortable, easy to use, and yet highly effective. It also works on a simple principle to improve airflow during sleep.
The lower portion of the mouthpiece advances the jaw slightly when it is worn. In this position, the airways are opened and the flow of air improved, reducing the vibration that happens to the tissues in the throat.
The required degree of jaw advancement may vary from one person to another, so the mouthpiece has to be fitted or customized for the best results. Aside from the effective mechanics of the mouthpiece, it is also comfortable to wear. While the feeling of wearing a mouthpiece might take some getting used to initially, it has no side effects. The device itself is easy to maintain, but it does have to be kept in oral hygienic conditions to avoid infection.
What Are the Benefits of Anti-snoring Devices?
The biggest draw of using anti-snoring devices is better sleep quality, not only for the ones snoring but for their sleeping partners. The importance of sleep could not be stressed enough as it dictates how well your day will go. If sleep is disrupted for a prolonged period of time, it could lead to irritation and depression.
For the person afflicted with the snoring problem, the anti-snoring solution could also help alleviate all the other conditions associated with sleep apnea. This includes diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It could include their quality of life in more ways than one.