Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Behavioral changes are the easiest to identify, but some of the hardest to
accomplish. For example, if a person gains ten pounds, his or her snoring may become a
problem. It is easy to tell a person to lose the ten pounds, but it is difficult
to accomplish. Behavioral changes include
weight loss, changing sleeping
positions, avoiding alcohol, smoking cessation, and changing medications that
may be the cause of snoring.
Losing weight may improve snoring. Snoring usually is worse when lying flat
on the back, as discussed previously. To help this problem, a pocket can be sewn
into the back of the snorer's pajama tops. A tennis or golf ball in the pocket
will "encourage" the snorer to roll over to sleep on his/her side. Alcohol or
sedative medications make snoring worse, and therefore should be avoided.
Dental devices
As previously discussed, snoring is exacerbated by normal airflow through a
narrowed area in the throat. Part of the narrowing is caused by the tongue and
palate falling back during sleep. Some dental devices have been developed that
hold the jaw forward. Since the tongue is attached in the front to the jaw, the
tongue also is held forward when these devices are used. Some devices are
designed to hold the palate up and forward.
All dental devices (similar to a mouthpiece) are best made by a dentist to
ensure a correct fit without causing problems. These devices may improve snoring
in 70% to 90% of cases. There are some drawbacks to dental devices, however.
They must be worn every night in order to work, can cause or exacerbate
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, can cause excessive salivation, and can
be moderately expensive.
The available data on some of these devices revealed both subjective and
objective improvement in snoring. These devices may be appropriate and
recommended for those individuals with primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep
apnea who did not benefit or did not qualify for the aforementioned behavioral
changes.
Nasal devices and medications
For people with narrow nasal passages, snoring can be alleviated with nasal
devices or medications. Breath-rite strips open the anterior nasal valve (front
part of the nose). If this is the main or only area of narrowing, snoring may
improve with use of these strips, but this is frequently not the case.
If nasal mucosal (lining) swelling from
allergies or irritation is causing
the problem, nasal sprays may help. Nasal saline irrigation spray is a way to
clean and moisturize the nasal lining since environmental irritants that stay in
the nose (dust, pollen, and smoke) continue to irritate as long as they are
present. The nasal lining also swells when it is cold and dry. Nasal saline
helps to wash away irritants and moisturizes the mucosa without side effects.
Other nasal sprays that may be used to improve nasal breathing include nasal
steroid sprays and nasal decongestants. They are very helpful for swelling due
to minor allergies or irritation. Steroid sprays decrease inflammation in the
nasal passages. Very little of the steroid is absorbed into the body from the
nose so there are few side effects with these sprays. Nasal decongestants that
shrink the blood vessels in the turbinates also can be used to improve snoring
that results from nasal congestion.
These measures may also be helpful for people who only snore when they have
upper respiratory infections or colds, which typically cause swelling of the
airway passages.
Nasal CPAP
CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure is a device that is commonly used
in patients with a clinical diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. This device
works by providing a constant, increased air pressure to prevent airway
narrowing during inspiration and expiration. It entails wearing a mask that is
connected by tubing to a pump that keeps the pressure of the inspired air at a
higher than normal level.
This device has proven to cause subjective and objective improvement of
snoring and other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. The air pressures are
adjusted individually for each patient based on their parameters of a sleep
study.
The main problem with CPAP is that the CPAP machine is bulky, noisy, and
possibly uncomfortable for patients to wear all night, every night. Therefore,
patient adherence to the use of CPAP often is not optimal.
Over-the-counter products for snoring
There are many other simple over the counter products available to help with
snoring. Generally, they may not be scientifically studied and recommended. They
may be useful in some people subjectively. Regardless, if snoring exists, then
it needs to be fully evaluated by a physician to assure that there is no
underlying potential medical condition and to choose a proven method of
treatment.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS or restless legs syndrome) is a common cause for painful legs that typically eases with motion, and becomes worse and more noticeable at rest. This characteristic nighttime worsening can frequently lead to insomnia. Treatment of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome is generally with medication as well as treating any underlying condition causing restless leg syndrome.
Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA), and a mixture of central and obstructive apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to activate the muscles of breathing during sleep. OSA is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep. OSA is diagnosed and evaluated through patient history, physical examination and polysomnography. There are many complications related to obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments are surgical and non-surgical.
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
It is thought that the tonsils and adenoids assist the body in fighting incoming bacteria and viruses by helping the body form antibodies. This is thought to be important only during the first year of life. Acute tonsillitis, strep throat, mononucleosis (mono), chronic tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, and hypertrophic tonsils and adenoids are all common problems involving the tonsils and adenoids. Treatment of tonsillitis and adenoids include antibiotics and other medications depending on the cause. In some cases, a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy (the removal of the tonsils or adenoids) may be necessary.
Marfan syndrome is hereditary condition affecting connective tissue. A person with Marfan syndrome may exhibit the following symptoms and characteristics: dislocation of one or both lenses of the eye; a protruding or indented breastbone; scoliosis; flat feet; aortic dilatation; dural ectasia; stretch marks; hernia; and lung collapse. Though there is no cure for Marfan syndrome, there are treatments that can minimize and sometimes prevent some complications.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. Not getting enough sleep can hurt memory performance, health, and your mood.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
A deviate septum is a condition in which the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose in half (nasal septum) is significantly off center or crooked. The causes of a deviated septum can be congenital, or develop after a trauma or injury to the nose. Symptoms of a deviated septum include nasal congestion, recurrent sinus infections, nosebleeds, headache, facial pain, postnasal drip, snoring, and loud breathing. A deviated septum can be relieved with medications, and if necessary surgery, called a septoplasty.
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a sleep disorder characterized by rhythmic movements of the limbs during sleep. The movements typically involve the legs, but upper extremity movements may also occur. Movements occur periodically throughout the night and can fluctuate in severity from one night to the next. They tend to cluster in episodes that last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. These movements are very different from the normal spasms, called hypnic myoclonia, that we often experience initially while trying to fall asleep.
Sleep RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the