Author:Kangdi 03-12-2021

Breath Right Nasal Strip Offers You a Restful Sleep

According to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation, about 90% of adults snore, regardless of age or gender. Of these people, 37 million snore regularly when they sleep and snoring has become part of their sleep habits. But snoring is not an insignificant thing, it is definitely not just "breathing loudly" while sleeping. Not only does it get worse as you get older, it can also lead to waking up easily or restlessly during sleep, affecting not only you but also your partner in bed with you.

Sleep is one of the most important foundations of optimal health, and a lack of quality sleep can expose you to a variety of health problems. In addition, snoring may also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing problem that can lead to a variety of health risks.

Why do people snore?

Snoring usually occurs when the muscles in your throat are relaxed, that is, when you are sleeping. After falling into a deep sleep, your throat muscles relax, allowing your airway to become narrower and looser. The tongue also stretches back. Every time you inhale and exhale, the throat area vibrates - which leads to the typical sound of snoring. And as the airway becomes narrower, the stronger the vibrations will be, and the louder the snoring will become. This is because air has to pass successively through the soft palate, the tongue, the uvula (the triangular tissue under the soft palate pendulum) and the tonsils. In some cases, the airway can become blocked, causing breathlessness as well as noisier snoring. Sleep apnea is one example of such a problem.

What causes snoring?

1. Sleeping on the back

One of the most common views on snoring is that it is caused by sleeping on one's back. This is true to a certain extent, as a study has found that 54% of snorers are caused by the position they sleep in. These people are called "sleep snorers," meaning that they only snore when they sleep on their backs.

2. Anatomical structure of the mouth.

Enlarged tonsils or tonsils, a curved nasal septum (the part in the middle of the nostril that curves) or nasal polyps may also cause further narrowing of the throat area during sleep. The airway may also be narrower in people with a lower, thicker soft palate. An overly long uvula may also cause airway obstruction.

3. Nasal problems

Inflammation in the nose and/or throat area, such as when you have a respiratory infection or allergy attack, may also cause snoring. Chronic nasal congestion is also one of the factors leading to snoring.

4. Lack of sleep.

The inability to get enough sleep at night may likewise lead to further relaxation of the throat.

5. Alcohol consumption.

Drinking alcohol, especially before bedtime, can encourage the muscles in your throat to relax while reducing your natural resistance to airway obstruction.

6. Sleep apnea.

Also known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it is a condition in which the airway becomes obstructed during sleep, affecting one in four women and more than half of men, and is an urgent condition to treat, as studies have found that it can lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease, gout, type II diabetes, immune deficiency, and depression, among others.

How snoring prevention can have a significant impact on your overall health

The biggest problem with snoring is that it can prevent you from getting the restful sleep that, as mentioned above, is necessary to ensure optimal health. Snorers often feel restless in their sleep, which can lead to sleepiness or difficulty concentrating during the day when performing important work tasks. Some snorers also wake up in the middle of the night due to choking and gasping for breath, although this is very rare.

Remember: Lack of sleep can have a range of minor or serious effects, depending on how much "sleep debt" you actually owe. In the long run, lack of sleep can lead to a number of chronic health problems, including diabetes and obesity, as well as immune problems, and it may even increase your risk of cancer. Being sleepy during the day may also increase your risk of having an accident or making a mistake at work.

What's more, snoring itself can also significantly affect your relationship with your spouse or partner. Dr. Daniel P. Slaughter, an otolaryngologist and snoring treatment specialist at Capital Otolaryngology in Austin, Texas, warns people that "snoring can cause real problems in married life."

Considering all the possible effects of this problem, it makes sense to actively pursue various methods to effectively overcome snoring. Thanks to the rapid development of technology, a variety of "anti-snoring" devices are now available on the market, all of which claim to reduce or completely eliminate snoring.

These solutions to snoring come in a variety of forms - including anti-snoring wristbands that can send a small wave of electricity when you snore, as well as high-tech "smart beds" equipped with self-adjusting mattresses, which are said to be able to track a person's sleeping position and can raise the head a few degrees to prevent snoring.

Some solutions seem a bit dated, such as anti-snoring pillow chin straps, as well as mouthpieces or dental braces, which are tools that work by repositioning the jaw so that your airway can open in the proper way.

However, I recommend that you view these anti-snoring devices with skepticism - not all of these devices have enough scientific research to back up their claimed functionality. Some devices are very poorly designed, for example some pillow-chin straps may even completely cover the wearer's mouth.