Snoring is a common condition in the Singaporean population, with 15% of its adult population experiencing frequent awakenings when getting their much-needed sleep. It can disrupt sleep, and it takes place when air is struggling to flow easily through the nose or mouth.
In general, mild or occasional snoring is not a cause of concern. However, chronic snoring is a different story since it may heighten the risk of health conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and the like.
The good news is that all is not lost if you find yourself snoring on a regular basis. That’s because you can always turn to a snoring specialist in Singapore to help you treat your health woes. They can use practical as well as innovative equipment, devices, and approaches to help you stop unhealthy and chronic snoring.
Before we get to the details of state-of-the-art snoring treatment, let’s take a quick overview of chronic snoring.
Is snoring normal?
Snoring is common, not only in Singapore but also in other countries across the globe. In fact, it’s safe to say that everyone, or nearly everyone, snores at some point.
But chronic, loud, and jarring snoring is something that should not be taken for granted because it can be an indicator of sleep apnea, a condition that can cause breathing to pause during sleep. The pause can last for 10 seconds or more.
Also, if your snoring is complemented by apneic episodes (gasping for air during sleep) and you’re hypertensive or have heart issues, then you should immediately visit a snoring specialist in Singapore or a head and neck doctor in Singapore.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the innovative products that specialists may recommend if you snore a lot.
Snoring innovations
- Nasal dilators
Nasal dilators are internal nasal devices which work by being placed inside your nose to make sure that your nasal passages remain open when you sleep. If properly used, airflow is improved through your nasal passages, and because of this, snoring can be greatly reduced.
Even though the thought of inserting and sticking something in your nose may seem a bit off; don’t worry since nasal dilators are usually made of soft polymers. Also, most of the nasal dilators that are out on the market are accompanied by ribbed paddles that can comfortably keep them in place and, in the process, cushion sensitive nasal walls.
- CPAP Method
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure method, and it’s a method that involves the use of a breathing therapy apparatus that delivers pressurised air to a mask that needs to be worn over the nose and/or mouth to help wearers achieve consistent breathing. It’s primarily designed to treat sleep apnea by creating and, at the same time, maintaining an open airway when sleeping.
Because of the level of sophistication, safety, and efficacy that it brings, the CPAP method is arguably the most beneficial approach to restoring appropriate breathing patterns and, therefore, treat sleep apnea. That’s why it’s one of the most recommended treatments for snoring specialist Singapore personnel across the country.
In this particular method, three masks are used:
- Full face mask – Covers the areas of the nose and the mouth.
- Nasal mask – Only covers the nose, offering a lighter and more comfortable fit.
- Nasal pillow mask – Instead of covering the whole nose, a nasal pillow mask only covers the nostril, making it a comfortable option, especially if you wear glasses.
- Anti-snore pillows
Anti-snore pillows are specifically designed, developed, and manufactured to fix your sleeping position. The said pillows are ergonomically constructed to provide appropriate cushion and support to the head as well as neck or adjust your sleeping position in an effort to improve breathing while sleeping.
If properly used anti-snore pillows can also perform the following:
- Maintain upright position
Elevating the head, even slightly, can cut down snoring since the effects of gravity on the airways are alleviated.
- Complement CPAP masks
In general, sleep positions or pillows may have a negative effect on the function of a CPAP machine.
This is not the case with anti-snore pillows since they’re specifically designed to be used together with CPAP masks and machines. All, without compromising comfort along the way.
Summing up
These are only some of the recent innovations in the snoring specialist Singapore industry. By familiarising yourself with them, you can rest assured that you are in good hands in case you are affected by sleep apnea and decide to undergo treatment.
However, to make the most of your treatment and enjoy its full potential, it’s best to undergo it in a facility that is backed by a long history of success rate, safety, and everything in between.