Maximum Sleep

Although snoring is caused by the noise of air trying to pass through an obstructed airway - and that is the same for everyone who snores - the cause of the blockage can vary from person and because of this different snoring cures have different rates of success with different people.
Dairy products, in particular cow’s milk, are known to be very mucous forming and can be at the root of many respiratory problems. For this reason the persistent snorer may consider eliminating dairy products from their diet to see if their condition improves.
When excess mucous is being produced as a result of an intolerance to milk and dairy products it has to go somewhere. Sparing you the graphic details you will understand that whilst you are awake you will sneeze and blow your nose at regular intervals to clear the build up of mucous. At night, whilst you are sleeping, the mucous builds up and obstructs your airways, causing you to snore.
How many of us go to bed after a little snack of cheese and biscuits or a glass of hot milk or some form of milky drink? After all, everyone knows, milk is good for us, right? Well, it is true that milk does contain a number of nutrients but all of these can be obtained from other sources and should be obtained elsewhere if the ingestion of milk is causing an allergic reaction.
If you are a persistent snorer and your doctor has ruled out any underlying medical condition that might be causing you to snore you may want to consider eliminating dairy products from your diet for a month to see if the situation improves.
Elimination diets are very safe provided you are sensible. If you are in any doubt it is best to seek medical advice but basically you just need to ensure that you still get the nutrients you need from alternate sources.
In place of dairy products there are rice and soya alternatives. Nut milks are also available but it is probably worth avoiding those initially as nuts are also known to cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive.
When you try elimination diets to test for sensitivities it is helpful to keep a food diary to monitor your responses. After a month of elimination you can try introducing foods back into you diet, one at a time, to see if the snoring returns or goes back to previous levels.
Of course, it is very difficult to self monitor for snoring! If you have a willing partner you can ask them to score you on a scale of 1 -10 where 1 = little or no snoring and 10 = unbearable levels of snoring. If you have no willing partner you can try using one of the little voice-activated recording devices to record your snoring whilst you sleep in order that you can make a self assessment in the morning.
Whilst bearing in mind the need to obtain all essential nutrients from your food, it is worth eliminating milk and dairy products from your diet to see if your snoring improves.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

How many times have you complained to a friend about the incessant snoring of your partner? You’ve talked about how tired you feel with the endless interruptions of your nights sleep because your husband’s snoring is window shattering loud. Or maybe you’ve compared it to a motorcycle engine, a thunderstorm or a chainsaw. If so, you are not alone. Women all across the world have the same problem. For you guys whose wives snore, you have to admit the noise is not as loud and rarely does it disturb your sleep. For women with snoring parents it is quiet different. Men simply snore louder.
Believe it or not snoring has become such an insurmountable problem that it has become grounds for divorce. The lack of sleep, base on the nighttime snore serenade, of both partners can create multiple problems in a relationship. Two overtired people are not as likely to be patient with each other. One blames the other for their lack of sleep. The snorer becomes fed up with the daily blame while still having to cope with his own state of tiredness. Work suffers for both of them and so does their home life.
In studies done on snoring and relationships over half the couples agreed that the nightly noise caused severe arguments. Eighty percent said they often slept in another room just to try and get a good night sleep. Ten percent said it was bad enough that they thought seriously about leaving their spouse. Often the pleas of the non-snoring partner are ignored, as the snorer does not believe anything can be done. This is seen as a very negative reaction by the non-snorer who often becomes convinced that her partner is just doing it to annoy her. This impacts on the whole relationship. It also impacts on the intimate relationship of the couple in a negative way. Twenty five percent of couples being studied confirmed that problem. As well, if a couple chooses to sleep in separate rooms, it not only affects their sex life, but also affects the end of the night relax and chat time that a couple shares. In a relationship these are important non-sexual intimate moments that play a pivotal role in keeping two people tuned into one another.
Sometimes it gets to a point where the couple must decide if their relationship is worth rescuing. They’re spending less time together, sleeping in separate rooms or the non-snoring partner is either spending too much of the night awake or with a pillow over her ears. Fortunately, if you value your partner there are things that can be done to save the relationship. Begin by seeing your doctor. That could determine the next step in what snoring cures to try. Some may be no more than simple lifestyle changes while others may include the use of appliances or other devices. After all the nighttime difficulties, if you want to keep your relationship on track sometimes sacrifices are needed on both sides.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

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Tory leader tries out 'sleep pod' for the homeless 24dash.com, UK - Jan 26, 2007 And during the tour of the centre, the Conservative chief became one of the first people to sample five new sleep pods which have been specially-designed to …

Original post by Yahoo! News Search Results for sleep and software by Elliott Back

There are many devices on the market today that claim to help snoring. However, their benefit is of some contention, and it’s good to know exactly what you’re getting into before you buy a product to aid your snoring problem.
One type of device offered to aid snoring is a mouthpiece. These help to perform such tasks as keeping the lower jaw from falling back, keeping the airway open, and preventing the tongue from relaxing to the point where it touches the soft tissue at the back of the throat. These mouthpieces are commonly offered in two different varieties - open-mouthed and closed-mouthed, depending on the way you most often sleep in the evening. These are generally moderate in cost and have been shown to have some affectability. Be sure to check into the specific brand of mouthpiece you plan on buying through consumer reviews before committing to a purchase. Also, know that what works wonders for one person may do absolutely nothing for another. Snoring is a diverse condition that can be caused by a host of factors.
Another type of device used to stop snoring is the nasal strip. These strips are commonly low in cost and feature an adhesive that goes across the bridge of the nose, stretching the nostrils and forcing them open. This helps to clear the airway for those who suffer nasal congestion that may be causing their snoring. These are typically moderately helpful when trying to stop snoring.
One type of device that you can make in the home that tends to help a lot of snorers out is quite simple. If you are a snorer who only experiences the problem while you lay on your back, then it’s just a matter of simply putting a tennis ball in a sock and then pinning the sock to the back of your pajama pants. This causes you to be discomforted when you roll onto your back, as you would be laying on the tennis ball. Therefore, your body will naturally assume the position of lying on its side while you are asleep.
Throat sprays are another type of product that is being marketed to help snorers. Containing such nutrients as vitamin B-6, C, and E, as well as various oils, throat spray companies claim the spray helps to lubricate the uvula and the throat, hopefully eliminating some of the contact made between the two and helping a snoring problem.
One final type of product that is offered on the snore-stopping market would be specialized pillows. Since some snoring is caused by the angle of your neck while you sleep, these pillows promise to keep your air way at less of a sharp angle to help necessitate proper breathing.
All of these products work in their own different ways, and not all of them can be used to help the same types of snoring. It is important to know what factors affect your snoring, so that you can make a sound decision on which of the products would be the most helpful. Know before you buy!

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Do you have a snoring issue that you don’t know how to solve? Knowing exactly what causes snoring is the first step in solving the problem. There are many reasons that people snore, and your problem may be due to a wide range of reasons from physical features to lifestyle choices.
In a basic sense, snoring is caused by an obstruction to the free flow of air through the cavities at the back of the mouth and nose. In this area, you can find the collapsible part of the air passage, where the tongue and the upper throat meet the soft palate and the uvula. When these structures hit each other, they vibrate and reverberate, causing what we know as snoring. Now, we’ll look at more specific reasons on why one might snore.
Poor muscle tone in the throat and the tongue are one of the key reasons that people snore. When the muscles in the throat are too relaxed, the tongue may fall into the airway or the muscles of the throat might draw in from the sides. This causes airway blockage, and consequently, a snoring problem. The muscles can be overly relaxed from drinking alcohol, as it is a depressant that makes all of your muscles relax. If you are planning on drinking in a night but don’t want to snore, it’s best to have your last drink at least four hours before you go to sleep, giving your body the time to process the alcohol and get back to normal before bed. In addition, sleeping pills are powerful muscle relaxants that behave in your body the same way as alcohol as far as snoring is concerned. Anti-histamines are also known to cause trouble with relaxing the throat muscles.
One cause of snoring is obesity. While obesity is responsible for many problems, it is uniquely troublesome to a snoring condition. In obese people, fatty tissues are deposited in the neck and throat areas. This can put pressure on the airway from which we inhale and exhale, especially when laying down. Also, when sleeping, the throat muscles relax, and they may buckle under the weight of extra fatty deposits.
Allergies may account for another reason that someone snores. When faced with allergens, nasal congestion can occur in an allergic person. This contracts the airway and can result in snoring. However, since anti-histamines are also a snoring no-go, it is best to take a nasal decongestant for any allergen troubles before sleep.
These are merely some of the reasons that one may snore. There are a host of causes to snoring, these are simply some of the more common reasons. If none of these symptoms seem like they are what is affecting you, it can be helpful to speak to a health care professional about the issue so that you can get it solved quickly and effectively. Snoring seems like a harmless problem, but it can wreak havoc on your sleep cycles and even cause such complications as heart problems and strokes if left untreated.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Are you wondering if snoring is a problem that you can pass on to your children? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, you can. According to a research study published in the journal “Chest”, children that have at least one parent that snored were three times more likely to snore themselves when compared to children whose parents had no snoring problem. The study was undertaken in order to more accurately determine the inheritance of snoring due to the fact that snoring is “the primary symptom of sleep-disordered breathing”.
Truly, snoring is a warning sign for the dreaded affliction known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, or OSA. This disorder causes the sufferer to stop breathing while asleep due to airway obstructions. Basic, primary snoring is hindered breathing, but it is breathing nonetheless. When Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is present, the victim will stop breathing for periods longer than 10 seconds while asleep, waking them up to make them gasp and choke for air.
This problem is not only an issue in the evening, either. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea leaves the afflicted with sore throats and headaches when they wake up. The lack of sleep due to the OSA is responsible for a lack of concentration, irritability, and bad behavior. If OSA is left untreated, it can increase blood pressure, lower blood-oxygen levels, make the heart work harder, and cause a greater occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.
For the research study, 681 children in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital medical centre were studied. The researchers also found that African-American children were roughly 3 times as likely to snore then children of other races. In addition, the study showed that children who tested positive for Atopy (an early indicator of asthma and allergies) were twice as likely to snore as those children who tested negative.
Dr Maninder Kalra, the lead author of the report, stated that the benefits of the research study included identifying which children snored so that doctors could more accurately identify the high-risk groups for sleeping disorders, and be able to notify their parents to help prevent any long-term damage.
Kalra was also quoted as saying “More than 40 million children in the western world have allergies. In addition, the incidence of allergy-related respiratory diseases is a risk factor for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, the association between Atopy and habitual snoring in young children has not been studied. “Now that we know how prevalent snoring is in children this young and that it is more common in children with positive Atopic status, parents and health care professionals can take appropriate action.”
With this knowledge, you can now tell whether or not your own children are at a risk for suffering from sleep disorders. If snoring occurs, it is important to get your child screened for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. The effects it can have on a child if left untreated are irreparable. Polysomnography tests are available at most local hospitals. They are painless, and they are often covered by insurance.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

While many people in the world snore, few know exactly why their body does what it does, and how they can fix the problem. One of the most common causes of snoring is alcohol. Alcohol, a depressant, travels through all areas of the body and slows your brain’s response mechanism. In addition, alcohol relaxes the muscles of the body more so than normal sleeping does. Since your muscles are more relaxed while under the influence, your orophanyx (the back of your throat) begins to collapse more rapidly then when sober. This can be one of the root causes of why snoring occurs for an individual.
A more grave threat than merely sawing logs, however, is the chance that alcohol can cause regular snorers to induce a temporary case of sleep apnea - temporary stoppage of breathing while asleep. This is not the same as being clinically diagnosed with sleep apnea, as it occurs only when a “primary” snorer imbibes alcohol before bed. That does not mean that it is not an issue that requires addressing, however. If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night after a night of drinking with a shortness of breath, or feel extremely sluggish and tired during the daytime after a night of drinking, you may be a victim to alcohol-induced sleep apnea. If you don’t modify your lifestyle, the condition will only worsen, and sleep apnea is a tough problem to treat.
In addition to the factors above, alcohol is known to cause irritation of the nasal airway, as well as congestion that creates airway resistance while you breathe. If for some reason you are unable to stop drinking, one way to lessen the effects of alcohol on your sleeping patterns would be to make sure that you drink your last drink at least 4 hours before you go to bed. This grace period allows your body a chance to process the alcohol and reduce the effects that it may have on your sleeping, helping you to sleep without snoring.
In addition to alcohol causing problems with sleep disorders, it is also important to be careful while taking sedatives such as sleeping pills. They behave much in the same way as alcohol, causing your body to relax its muscles and inducing many of the same symptoms as alcohol. Anti-histamines have also been known to have negative effects when it comes to sleep disorders such as primary snoring and sleep apnea. If at all possible, you should avoid the consumption of any of these risk-factors before you go to sleep. When you snore, you not only affect yourself - studies have shown that bedmates can lose up to an hour of sleep per night and wake up as many as 21 times per hour when sleeping next to a snorer, in a problem known as Spousal Arousal Syndrome. So, don’t just do it for yourself - do it for your loved one! We wish you the best of luck for solving your problem. You can do it!

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Snoring is always portrayed as a harmless, silly trait for a person to have. However, few know that there are many hidden dangers in what can seem to be an innocent snore. Snoring is your body’s method of letting you know that it is having trouble getting the oxygen it needs to carry out its basic functions. Also, snoring can mask a greater problem known as obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a snoring condition gets so bad that total blockage occurs in the airway. When this happens, the person is unable to get oxygen, and the body is unable to get any in for over 10 seconds. This can cause the person to wake up in the middle of the night a sweat, wake up gasping for air, or wake up choking. People with sleep apnea often wake up the next morning with sore throats or headaches. This is due to the lack of oxygen that your body is getting. On top of that, the numerous times you wake up in the middle of the night really do damage to your sleep patterns.
Sleep apnea causes a lack of REM sleep, which can result in grogginess and a lack of concentration the next day. Your body is basically not getting the required rest that it needs, because it is too busy being worried about getting oxygen. This can translate to poor performance at work or school, difficulty concentrating on simple tasks, and a general state of irritability that can cause irreparable damage to both your social life and your job.
In addition to the short-term affects of being afflicted with sleep apnea, if the syndrome is left untreated, the sufferer bears a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, significant weight gain can occur during an OSA affliction. Higher blood pressure is often found in people with OSA, as well as a lower blood-oxygen level. This forces the heart to work harder, and can result in such long-term problems as an enlarged heart.
Fortunately, there are ways of helping obstructive sleep apnea. For mild sufferers, simple snoring cures such as not sleeping on your back and losing weight can help to cure sleep apnea. However, for the more moderate to severe apnea sufferers, a process known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, can remedy the problem. It involves a nose mask that delivers air up through the nose, clearing the way for unobstructed air flow. Surgery is also a possible cure for severe sleep apnea, but is only administered after CPAP treatment fails.
So, as you can see, snoring is a problem that you shouldn’t take sitting (or laying) down. Find out if your condition meets the symptoms of sleep apnea, and even if they don’t, do your best to clear your snoring problem so that it does not debilitate into apnea.
Research the common reasons for a snoring condition, and see which of them sound like they fit you the most. Then, search out the proper treatments for these reasons.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

While snoring is commonly joked about as a harmless little annoyance, it can be no further from the truth. Snoring is a blockage of the air ways that our body uses to get oxygen to perform the vital functions it needs to operate. This can be very harmful for the snorer, especially if the air ways become completely blocked, causing a sleep disorder known as sleep apnoea. Snores are a warning sign from our bodies saying that they may not be getting all the oxygen they need. For that reason, snores will wake up those with sleep apnoea. The body cannot get enough oxygen so it does its best to alert you.
Sleep apnoea is characterized by the following symptoms: long interruptions of breathing (commonly more than 10 seconds, caused by the blockage of the air ways), frequently waking from sleep (although the sufferer may not realize that they are), light sleeping that is not conducive to fulfilling your body’s need for sleep, and lower blood oxygen levels. These lower blood oxygen levels cause the heart to have to work harder, pumping more rapidly and causing a rise in blood pressure. As a result, the sufferer often experiences a poor night’s sleep underlined by drowsiness during the day and a lack of concentration. Irritability also is a common trait among those with sleep apnoea, and this can affect personal relationships as well as your work ethic. In addition to these problems, people with untreated sleep apnoea face higher risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Now that you can see that snoring is no laughing matter, it is important to know some of the behaviours which help to keep snoring to a minimum. If you are overweight, the fatty tissues in your throat may be helping the problem, so it is important to get into shape and improve your eating habits. Trying to establish regular sleeping patterns that persist through the week and the weekend can also be helpful to beating snoring. On a daily basis, it is important to avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and anti-histamines for a good period of time before you go to bed. These substances relax your throat muscles, causing them to buckle and increasing the snoring problem. Sleeping on your side is also a commonly used solution, since many snorers are known to only snore while sleeping on their back. An easy fix for getting used to sleeping on your side would be to sew an object such as a tennis ball into the back of your bed time shirt. This makes it uncomfortable for you to sleep on your back, so you will naturally favour sleeping on your side.
If you feel that the sleep apnoea symptoms described above might apply to you, it is crucial to speak to a health care professional. They can perform a process known as polysomnography, which can diagnose your problem and let you know exactly what is wrong with your sleep. It is a harmless process which is covered by most insurance carriers.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back