Are you waking up alone in your bed with your partner on the couch or in the spare bedroom? Are you on the brink of separation because you can’t sleep next to your partner anymore? Relationship problems can arise when one of the partners is keeping the other awake. Lack of sleep can have negative effects on your life, health, and relationships.
It’s probably time you look into some anti-snoring devices to tackle your snoring habit if you or your partner is one of the millions of people who sound like a freight train at night.
There are so many options out there today to help diminish and even stop your nighttime cacophony. But which one is the right choice for you? From the invasive and prescription-only CPAP machines to the simple OTC nasal sprays, there’s definitely a solution to your snoring problem. Snoring is a complex issue, you have to find the right solution that will work for you. Because there are multiple reasons why we snore, each anti snore solution is specifically designed to take one a specific condition that leads to your snoring.
Let’s take a look at some of the anti-snoring devices and solutions that are on the market so you can make an informed decision.
What Type of Snorer Are You
The first thing you need to know before heading out to purchase an anti-snoring device is to know what type of snorer you or your partner is. That’s right, not all snorers snore alike.
The majority of people snore because as they fall asleep their muscles relax and their airway partially collapses. Your jaw and tongue relax when you sleep and your tongue can slide back into your throat and partially obstruct your airway. As air flows through, these tissues vibrate and we hear it as the familiar snoring sound.
Another type of snorer is the obstructed nose snorer. Chances are you will breathe through your mouth if your nose is blocked by a deviated septum or is congested because of allergies or illness. This can cause you to snore up a storm.
Knowing why and how you snore is important in order to pinpoint the best solution for you.
Simple Snoring or Sleep Apnea?
Another thing to look into is if you are afflicted with simple snoring or if you have a more serious sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing for short periods of time during the night.
Attacking your snoring problem may not be sufficient to remedy your sleep apnea. Speak with your doctor if you may think that you have sleep apnea. Simple nasal sprays or anti-snoring devices will not help, sleep apnea is a serious condition and should be looked after.
Types of Anti-snoring Devices
Some anti-snoring devices have been out there for a long time. Some are using new technology to tackle the troublesome habit. Some are invasive and can disturb sleep, while others are non-invasive and provide better comfort.
- CPAP or APAP machines
The invasive face mask attached to an air pressure generator is obtained through prescription only and is intended for sleep apnea sufferers. This is the most aggressive and expensive way to attack snoring and nighttime breathing pauses. Your doctor may send you to see a sleep specialist to treat your sleep disorder. It is important to note that snoring is often a sign of apnea, however if you go through a sleep test and it is determined that you don’t have apnea this invasive solution is not your best option for combating snoring alone.
- Mouthguards
Mouthguards have been around for several decades and are for the most part effective in helping snorers quit their snoring. Many manufacturers produce different types of mouthguards, but for the most part all of them function the same way. When inserted correctly, the jaw is forced to remain in place or is slightly pulled forward so that your tongue doesn’t obstruct your airway.
It is an invasive way to put a stop to snoring and some people claim that they can’t get used to sleeping with something in their mouth all night. There can be some drooling and jaw pain involved with wearing mouthguards. A mouthguard can also damage your gum line and cause tooth decay. Keeping your mouthguard clean is essential to preventing some of these side effects.
Also, you usually have to replace the mouthpiece every 6 to 12 months which can become costly.
- Tongue Retainers
Another anti-snoring device on the market that seems to work well for snorers is a tongue retainer. The concept is that the device keeps your tongue from falling back into your throat while you sleep.
This is another invasive way to put a stop to snoring and some users can’t sleep with a device inserted into their mouth all night. There is some drooling involved and possible sore gums and tongue which most people are unable to get used to.
They need to be replaced fairly regularly.
- Chin Straps
Chin straps work to keep your mouth shut while you sleep. Although popular, this is a controversial anti snore solution as it was never intended to combat snoring alone. It was invented to help those using a CPAP keep their mouth shut.
Chin straps will definitely not work for you if your snoring is caused by a blocked or congested nose.
- Nose strips
Nose strips are, simply put, tape that you stick to your nostrils in order to keep them open while you sleep. These strips obviously won’t work for you if your snoring comes from your obstructed airway.
These strips can help if you have congestion due to allergies or a cold. Nose strips can also help if you have a deviated septum. In general they will help with better air flow however they will not aid in reducing your snoring.
Although less invasive than the mouthguard, they still need an adjustment period and some users say that they don’t stay on all night.
You can’t reuse nose strips and have to apply a new strip every night. This can add up.
- Nasal Dilators
This is another anti-snoring device that tackles the snoring caused by a blocked or congested nose. You insert a nasal dilator into your nostrils to open the air passage in order to let air flow more easily.
These nasal dilators seem to work well for some when inserted properly. They also need to be washed properly and replaced every so often.
- Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays work to decongest your blocked nasal passages while you sleep to help you breathe better. Some come in all-natural formulas and other contain antihistamines. They are usually available over the counter and don’t require a prescription.
Be wary of the ingredients as some may cause dependency and cannot be used on a regular basis. Nose sprays are good for the occasional snorer whose snoring is caused by allergies or a cold.
- Anti Snore Pillows
Anti snoring pillows have been around for some time. The idea behind it is that if it keeps your head and neck in a specific position you will not snore. The downside of using an anti snore pillow is that they are usually uncomfortable and cause neck pain when used consistently.
- Smart Nora
Smart Nora is a new high tech contact free device that reduces snoring by targeting the actual cause of snoring. The majority of people snore because when they fall asleep their neck muscles relax and their airway partially collapses. Smart Nora stimulates those specific muscles to prevent them from collapsing and it does so gentle enough not to wake up the snorer. Smart Nora is the only contact free snoring solution on the market and it has been featured on mainstream press with glowing reviews.
Tips-How to Choose
Here are a few important things to consider when looking into an anti-snoring devices.
- Reviews and Recommendations
Read up on the anti-snoring device you think you want to purchase. Read what other users are saying and check for star-ratings on websites like Amazon and third party reviews. This can give you a better view of the product and whether it is a good solution for other snorers.
- Cost
Remember that if you choose an anti-snoring device that needs to be replaced every so often the overall cost will add up over the years. The $20 box of nose strips can add up to be hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
- Comfort
The more invasive an anti-snoring device, the less tolerated it will be. Some people simply can’t get used to sleeping with something on their face or in their mouth. Many of the devices that you insert in your mouth can cause teeth, gum, and jaw complications.
- Transportability
You will need something that is easily taken with you when you travel. Snoring doesn’t stop when you go to visit your parents or go on vacation.
- Transparency and Return Policy
Make sure to read the return policy of each of these companies. If a company stands behind their product they will offer it to the consumer risk free. There should not be any restocking fees or hidden fees. If a company offers a 100% money back guarantee, free shipping and returns you can rest assured that you don’t spend a dime unless it works for you. It also means that the company selling it believes in their product.
Conclusion
Choosing an anti-snoring device can get complicated. Some snorers go through many options before finding a solution to their snoring. The less invasive options tend to work better with snorers because of the comfort level and adaptability.
Armed with this information it’s time to get serious about putting a stop to your nighttime racket. When your snoring stops, your partner will climb back into bed with you and spend the night. A better night’s sleep means a happier healthier you!
