What You Need to Know About Snoring & Nose Strips
When air cannot flow easily through your nose during sleep, you may snore. Though mild snoring isn’t a cause for concern, chronic snoring can increase your risk of heart issues and other health conditions.
Why Does Snoring Occur?
Snoring, which may sound like vibrations, whistling, grumbling, or snorting, is caused by airway obstruction that leads to tissues vibrating against each other. As air moves past your tonsils, soft palate, adenoids, and tongue, the turbulence creates a rumbling noise.
Airway blockage occurs for many reasons, including aging as our muscle tone decreases, excess fatty tissue in our neck/throat, alcohol, or sedatives which can relax your muscles. A deviated septum is rarely the sole cause of snoring but other anatomic factors (small jaw, large tongue, long palate) may contribute.
Other symptoms of obstructed breathing during sleep include restlessness with awakenings throughout the night, waking up with a sore throat, feeling tired during the day, headaches, or irritability. If your snoring is loud or disrupts your sleep quality (or that of a bed partner), it’s time to see a doctor.
How Do Nose Strips Help?
Nose strips, or adhesive strips, are placed on the nose to increase airflow by widening nostrils using small springs in the strips sticking to either side of the nose. As it pulls gently on both sides of the nose, they can improve breathing by decreasing the air resistance in nasal passages. If worn right, they should be effective to manage nasal sources of obstruction. However, if your snoring is caused by sleep apnea, nose strips may not be the solution.
Snoring & Your Voice
Research has found that there is an actual decrease in voice quality of those who chronically snore. Snoring can cause dryness in your nose, mouth, and throat, which can negatively impact your vocal cords. Consider talking to your healthcare provider if you notice yourself snoring frequently to discuss a snoring solution that might be a good fit for you.
