How is Snoring/ OSA treated?
Snoring without OSA, does not require treatment, unless it embarrasses or bothers you or your spouse/ family. Here are tips to reduce your snoring:
- 1. If you are overweight or obese: lose weight.
- 2. Sleep on your side. (tongue falls back in throat when you lie on your back causing increase in snoring). Use a large pillow or wear a tee shirt with tennis ball stitched on back when you sleep to keep you off your back.
- 3. Raise the head of your bed by 4 inches or more.
- 4. Apply nasal strips (https://www.breatheright.com/how-to-breathe-better/how-breathe-right-nasal-strips-work.html) across the skin of your nostrils to open your nasal passages, so you can breathe better.
- 5. Treat nasal congestion, which may cause you to breathe through mouth, increasing the chance of snoring. Jelneti (link to Jelneti) and nasal steroid drops may help you breathe more freely through your nose.
- 6. Limit or avoid alcohol 2 hours before bedtime which is a strong relaxant of throat muscles.
- 7. Quit smoking
What are the complications of untreated OSA?
Left untreated, OSA can have serious and life threatening consequences.
Hypertension, heart disease, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm) and stroke. People with severe sleep apnea, are more likely to have a heart attack or sudden cardiac death at night.
Diabetics may develop poor sugar control at night and Epileptics may have increased seizures at night.
Glaucoma, depression and other ailments.
Automobile accidents due to daytime sleepiness.
Poor concentration leading to poor work and school performance.
Children with sleep apnea may be more irritable and have behavioral problems.
Sleep-deprived spouse when your snoring effects their sleep.
