Singing Can Cure Snoring

At least occasionally, almost all adults snore.

Mechanism of snoring: Relaxed tissues in your throat vibrate and produce harsh respiratory sounds when the air you breathe flows past them while you’re sleeping.

What factors can lead to snoring?

Many factors may affect airway that can lead to snoring, and they include:

1. Mouth anatomy. A low and thick palate or enlarged tonsils or tissues in the back of your throat can narrow the airway resulting to increase vibration that result to snoring.

2. Being overweight or obesity. Excess bulkiness results to narrowing of the airway, and thus resulting to snoring.

3. Nasal problems. Crooked partition of your nostrils (deviated nasal septum) and chronic nasal congestion may be blamed for snoring.

4. Sleep apnea (Obstructive sleep apnea). This is a condition that is characterized by loud snoring followed by a period of more or less 10 seconds of silence that is usually repeated throughout the night. In this condition, the airway becomes too small and the oxygen you need to take in becomes inadequate for your needs.

5. Alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol before bedtime relaxes the throat muscles. Your natural defenses against airway obstruction are decreased.

What home remedies can you do to your snoring?

Singing and wind instruments: A study published in the British Medical Journal concludes that playing wind instruments (more particularly the didgeridoo (instrument that produces a droning sound) may help train your throat muscles and prevent them from narrowing. Patients with sleep apnea benefited from the study when they were prescribed with 25 minutes a day of wind instrument playing. In a related and preliminary study, it has been found out that singing can also help improve muscle control of your palate and upper throat. Snoring adult participants in the study were cured from snoring when prescribed 20 minutes a day of singing exercises for three months. In both techniques, further study is needed.

Lose weight. Controlling your weight results to better airway and circulation.

Sleep on your side. Your tongue is more likely to fall backward into your throat when you sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side improves airflow.

Treat your nasal congestion. Use anti-allergy medicine if your congestion is caused by allergy. Be mindful about decongestant use because they can trigger high blood pressure. See your doctor if you’re planning to use decongestants more than three days in a row. Deviated nasal septum may require surgery. Nasal strips are available in most drug stores. This is very useful for mouth-breathers.

Limit or avoid alcohol and sedatives. Avoid alcohol intake at least four hours before bedtime. Sedatives can depressed or blunt your brain (central nervous system), causing muscle relaxation that can result to snoring. Tell your doctor that you snore before requesting him to prescribe sleeping pills for you.

You need to see a doctor if…

Your snoring does not improve. If your child snores, bring him to a pediatrician. Your child might have enlarged tonsils and related throat problems and treating these conditions can help improve sleep.