What Snoring Treatments Are Available?
If you occasionally snore, you can try the following behavior changes to help treat the problem: • Lose weight and improve your eating habits. • Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before you go to bed. • Avoid alcohol, heavy meals, or snacks at least four hours before you sleep. • Establish regular sleeping patterns. For example, try to go to bed at the same time every night. • Sleep on your side rather than on your back. • Tilt the head of your bed up four inches. If none of the above mentioned behavioral changes help snoring, talk to your doctor. Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) offer a variety of treatment options that may reduce or eliminate snoring or sleep apnea. There are more than 300 devices on the market to help prevent snoring; however, none of these devices address all of the underlying anatomical problems that cause snoring (such as nasal obstruction and being overweight). Surgery may be needed to correct physical problems. Snoring and
