Snoring is a common condition that is often swept under the rug. Most people experience snoring sooner or later as either they themselves snore or their significant other does. Not only does this affect the quality of life of the sufferer, but also of the person they share a bed with. In addition to causing sleep deprivation, frequent snoring can also be a sign of more severe conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, that can lead to other health issues.
Multiple reasons, such as weight, alcohol consumption or sleeping positions, can also cause snoring. With our Asclepion anti-snoring treatment, practitioners can treat snoring at its root cause and provide a fast and effective solution for those who suffer from excessive snoring.
What Snoring Is, Symptoms and Diagnosis
Snoring occurs when airflow through the mouth or nose is constricted. Relaxed tissue in your client’s airways narrows or partially blocks the airways when breathing. When breathing, forcing air through narrowed airways causes the nose and throat tissue to vibrate. This results in snoring sounds such as grumbling or rattling sounds.
Depending on how constricted your client’s airways are, snoring can range from quiet vibrations or whistles to louder grumbling. Headaches, difficulty focusing and moodiness due to a lack of sleep can be caused by snoring. While the occasional snoring due to allergies or colds causing a blocked nose isn’t something to be concerned about, chronic snoring can be a symptom of more severe conditions such as sleep apnea. Gasping for air and stopping to breathe for a few seconds while sleeping can be early signs of obstructive sleep apnea and require treatment.
A physical exam might be enough to determine any abnormalities, depending on the severity of your client’s snoring. Additional X-rays, CT scans or MRIs might also be needed for a correct diagnosis. Another way to evaluate your client’s sleep patterns is by ordering a sleep study. This will give you more insight into your client’s heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen levels, and any movement during sleep.
What Causes Snoring and How It Affects Your Client’s Health
While snoring can be a sign of a more severe condition, there is a wide range of other factors responsible for snoring. Your client’s mouth anatomy, for example, can cause snoring due to enlarged tissues and tonsils that restrict airflow. Additionally, being overweight with excess fat build-up on your client’s neck also constricts airways. A deviated nasal septum or chronic nasal congestion and sleep deprivation further contribute to snoring.
Excessive alcohol consumption before bed relaxes the throat muscles, weakening natural defenses against airway obstruction and leading to snoring. Sleeping on the back exacerbates this due to gravity pulling airway tissue downward, narrowing the airway and causing louder, more frequent snoring.
Gender differences, particularly men’s larger neck circumferences, make men more prone to snoring, while smoking irritates and inflames airway tissues, contributing to blockages. Genetics also influence snoring, as a family history of snoring or sleep apnea can affect airway structure and muscle control.
Not only is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) a condition to be taken seriously, but snoring can also cause some additional critical conditions. Recurring snoring, along with OSA, can lead to hypertension, heart disease or a stroke.
How to Treat Snoring With the Romeo
Anti-snoring laser therapy treatments with Romeo provide fast and effective results. When other treatments such as lifestyle changes, medications or nasal strips have not worked, invasive treatments can be avoided thanks to the Romeo’s non-invasive fractional laser.
The DermaBlate laser system powers the Romeo. The DermaBlate is the highest-performing Er:YAG for high-precision skin ablation and fractional therapy. It represents a multi-purpose platform and can treat a range of benign skin issues, wrinkles, and scars, as well as specialist areas such as anti-snoring treatment. With this powerful versatility, the DermaBlate provides outstanding results in all areas of treatment.
The same principles as sub-ablative fractional therapy that is usually carried out for skin resurfacing are also used with the Romeo. It is therefore the first fractional laser treatment to reduce snoring and treat the root of the problem. The treatment is designed to achieve a more stable uvula and strengthen the soft palate when breathing. The fractional treatment with the MicroSpot handpiece allows for tissue to be treated selectively. With a 100-1500μs range of pulse duration, maximal flexibility for skin ablation will be achieved.
The Romeo allows for in-office procedures with little preparation and downtime resulting in fast and efficient treatments. Additionally, it offers a special footswitch allowing for fluence adjustments without touching the screen of the device. To achieve maximum hygiene, the specially designed handpieces come with a single-use cover.
Lifestyle Adjustments to Reduce Snoring
Snoring is not only disruptive to sleep but can also affect the quality of rest for a bed partner. Fortunately, several lifestyle adjustments can be made to help prevent snoring and enjoy more peaceful nights. From maintaining a healthy weight to practising good sleep hygiene and managing nasal congestion and allergies, these changes can significantly reduce snoring and contribute to a better night’s sleep.
Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is not only beneficial for overall well-being but can also play a role in reducing snoring. Excess weight, especially around the neck area, can put pressure on the throat muscles and obstruct the upper airway further, leading to snoring. In order to alleviate snoring, consider these steps:
- Balanced Diet: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid excessive consumption of high-fat and processed foods.
- Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to help with weight management and improve muscle tone, including the muscles in the throat that play a role in snoring.
Tips for Improving Sleep Hygiene
Practicing good sleep hygiene can create an optimal sleep environment and reduce the likelihood of snoring. Incorporate these habits into a routine for better sleep quality:
- Consistent Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate the body’s internal clock.
- Comfortable Sleep Environment: Keep a dark, quiet bedroom at a comfortable temperature.
- Limit Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens (phones, tablets, computers, TVs) before bedtime, as the blue light can interfere with the sleep-wake cycle.
- Relaxation Techniques: Engage in relaxation practices like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretching before bed to ease into a restful state.
Managing Nasal Congestion and Allergies
Nasal congestion and allergies can contribute to snoring by obstructing the nasal passages and cause breathing through the mouth. To address these issues and reduce snoring, the following strategies may help:
- Nasal Saline Rinse: Use a saline nasal rinse to keep nasal passages clear and moisturised.
- Allergy Management: Identify and manage allergens that might be triggering congestion. Use allergen-proof bedding and minimise exposure to potential allergens.
- Consult a Specialist: If chronic congestion is a concern, consult an allergist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for personalised recommendations.
Conclusion
Snoring is a common problem that, if left untreated, can be more than just an inconvenience to everyday life. Romeo provides gentle, fast and effective laser treatment, efficiently treating symptoms and preventing further health issues associated with frequent snoring. To find out more about the benefits of investing in a non-invasive snoring treatment, visit our Romeo webpage or contact us.
