"Heroic", "Obnoxius" or "Legendary" Snoring

Read about it on the link below (PDF Doc)

http://www.garfield.library.upenn.edu/essays/v6p172y1983.pdf

Further reading from the the All Health Network webpage http://www.allhealthnetwork.com/

25 Steps to Be Free From Snoring

Snoring is a rough noisy breathing during sleep due to vibration of the Uvula, Soft palate and other soft tissues around the upper respiratory tract. Snoring can be nuisance for others sleeping in the same room or in the adjacent room. Snoring is also associated with some life threatening conditions like sleep apnea, Stroke, heart disease and etc. This article gives some steps to cure or reduce

Investigations needed for snoring :-
Endoscopy of nose, pharynx and larynx are required.
X-ray of skull, nose, sinuses are needed.
C.T. Scan during sleep may be helpful.
Blood gas analysis is needed to know the blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Pulmonary function test is used to diagnose hypoxia.
Rhinomanometry is of great help.
Nocturnal polysomnogrphy gives more informations. Here EEG, ECG, ENG, Airflow, Oxygen levels in blood and etc are monitored simultaneously. Steps to reduce snoring
Food articles causing allergy should be avoided.2. Obesity should be reduced.3. Alcohol consumption is curtailed.
Drugs causing snoring should be withdrawn.5. Sleeping on the side can reduce snoring.6. Humid room will help to alleviate snoring.7. Smoking should be avoided.8. Warm beverages before bed time can reduce snoring.9. Use of anti snoring foods like thyme, horse radish, onion, garlic, Mustard greens and etc can reduce snoring.10. Sleeping pills should be avoided.11. Breath exercises should be practiced.12. Throat exercises can strengthen the muscles thereby preventing narrowing of air passages.
a. Push your tongue against the lower row of teeth for few minutes.b. Press the chin back words with the fingers.c. Take a wooden rod and hold it tightly between the teeth for few minutes.
13. Meditation, Yoga, Musical therapy etc. can be helpful.14. Alternative therapies like Homoeopathy, Ayurveda, Naturopathy etc may be useful.15. Antidepressants like protriptyline may be useful.16. Drugs to prevent the deep occurrence of REM Sleep can reduce snoring.17. Nasal decongestants and antihistamines are useful.
18. The following devices can be helpful.
a. Sandler pillow :- This special pillow compels the person to sleep on side thereby reduce snoring.b. Snore ball :- This device can be kept on the back to prevent lying o the back.c. Nasal strips :- This helps to keep the nasal passage open.d. Sleep position monitor :- This instrument will make a sound if the person lies on his back.19. Some appliances worn inside the mouth can be very helpful. They are the following.
a. Tongue retracting appliances can keep the tongue in position.b. Oral appliances keep the mouth shut and push the jaw forwards.c. Palate lifting appliances expand the soft palate.
20. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is useful for those who suffer from sleep apnea. This apparatus is connected to nasal mask.21. Conditions like deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, adenoids and etc should be treated.22. All allergic conditions should be treated.
23. Some surgical procedures can be very useful. Some are given below.
a. Uvulo palato pharyngoplasty (UPPP)b. Laser assisted Uvuloplasty (LAUP)c. Cautery assisted palatal stiffening operation (CAPSO)d. Mandibular advancemente. Tracheostomy is required in extreme cases of apnea.
All these surgical procedures may be effective but not widely practiced due to some complications like severe bleeding, infection, post operative problems, severe pain and cost of operation.
24. Maintaining a healthy life style is very essential to reduce problems like snoring.
25. Stress should be avoided and the family members should give moral support to the snorers.