How to stop snoring? You may be asking this question if snoring is affecting your rest, or that of your partner. It’s a wise question to ask, and one that deserves an answer, because heavy snoring can be much more than a side effect of a busy lifestyle – it can actually be a danger signal of a condition known as sleep apnea. This disorder occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, despite a person’s efforts to breathe. The result is low blood oxygen levels and broken sleep patterns. In addition, when left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, depression, weight gain, and poor concentration.
If you’d like to learn how to stop snoring, you’ve come to the right place. Since 2007, Dr. Frank Averill and his team of sleep specialists at St. Francis Sleep Center have offered patients in Clearwater, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Trinity, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, and other nearby Florida cities innovative and personalized treatments for a range of sleep and wakefulness issues. You’ll feel comfortable in our expansive, state-of-the-art sleep center, which boasts the latest technology and diagnostic equipment in a setting that incorporates many of the same amenities you enjoy at home.
If you snore, it’s very important to find out why, and then seek proper treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. At St. Francis, Dr. Averill will perform an evaluation to determine whether your snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, and then work with you to identify ways to help you improve the quality of your rest and health.
In general, the following steps may help you sleep better:
- If you are overweight, losing even a few pounds can make a difference, and reaching and maintaining a healthy weight will go a long way toward improving your rest and overall health.
- If you suffer from allergies, remove potential allergens from your bedroom, such as pets and feather pillows.
- Exercise to strengthen and tone the muscles in your neck.
- If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier at night.
- Sleep on your side.
- Avoid drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime.
Contact St. Francis today to schedule a sleep consultation with Dr. Averill, who will be pleased to help you learn how to stop snoring. Our clinic is convenient to residents of Clearwater, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Largo, and the surrounding FL area. Because allergies can also create sleep issues, you may be interested in learning about a skin test to diagnose allergies, along with the various allergy treatments we offer.