Is there a Nobel peace Prize for the cure for snoring?

[Trek420]

Well, I do think I'm exceptional.

Well yes. And obviously your honey does too.

As we ramped down my medicine--I just went off of it altogether a couple of weeks ago--I stopped snoring. I asked my endo if there was a connection, but she insisted that short of a huge goiter, there likely wasn't one. I have to wonder though. Nothing else has otherwise changed healthwise.

Right. And of course you could not be right about the connection.

[indysteel]

Right. And of course you could not be right about the connection.

I know! It sort of irritates me when a doctor dismisses something like that merely because one of their med school textbooks says otherwise. Grrrr.

[Trek420]

Well the med school textbooks are based on research. There are sleep institutes, studies, labs, specialists and an industry with a whole big line of products ... I found references saying things like "we all know that water can ..." "It's common knowledge that ..." but why no research?

Why wouldn't your doctor say "Hmmm, interesting. I haven't seen or read or heard this before but hmmm. You may be right".

Where's the curiosity? Is it because "water" or even the act of "not taking something or other" can't fund a research project?

[Pax]

Well the med school textbooks are based on research. There are sleep institutes, studies, labs, specialists and an industry with a whole big line of products ... I found references saying things like "we all know that water can ..." "It's common knowledge that ..." but why no research?

Why wouldn't your doctor say "Hmmm, interesting. I haven't seen or read or heard this before but hmmm. You may be right".

Where's the curiosity? Is it because "water" or even the act of "not taking something or other" can't fund a research project?

That's why I stick with my doctor. She wanted me to start on Lipitor for my cholesterol, I pointed out the studies that showed little efficacy for statins used by women, the studies that showed it lowers total cholesterol but does NOT show a matching reduction in risk for cardiac incidences. She listened and said she'd look into it; at the next appointment she said she understood my concerns and wouldn't push the medication any more.

[OakLeaf]

Interesting. I've got really narrow sinuses because of growing up with untreated allergies, and I stay pretty well hydrated, so I don't think that's my issue. I might start sleeping with a nasal strip though. Running with one, actually being able to breathe any volume through my nose, has been such a revelation.

[Trek420]

Interesting. I've got really narrow sinuses because of growing up with untreated allergies, and I stay pretty well hydrated, so I don't think that's my issue. I might start sleeping with a nasal strip though. Running with one, actually being able to breathe any volume through my nose, has been such a revelation.

You may be on to something there. Knott found an article in the AJRCCM Articles in Press Published 02/20/2009 called Effects of Oropharygeal Exercises on Patients with Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Running Title; Oropharyngeal Exercises and Sleep Apnea.

It's written by a whole long list of a bunch of Doctors which in part states as their rationale for the study "Upper airway muscles function plays a major role in maintenance of the upper airway patency and contributes to the genisis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Preliminary results suggested that oropharyngeal exercises derived from speech therapy may be an effective treatment option for patients with moderate OSAS."

In other words exercises that strengthen the muscles that flare your nostrils are some of the things recommended. The article ends recommending mainly one orophayngeal muscle exercise: inhale deeply through the nose whilst flaring your nostrils, then exhale through the mouth with pursed lips (like blowing up a balloon). 5 reps in a row, 6 sets a day.

Sorta like building up your own internal nasal strips.

But don't take my word for it. See a doctor or even a speech therapist. Bring them the article

[snapdragen]

I know! It sort of irritates me when a doctor dismisses something like that merely because one of their med school textbooks says otherwise. Grrrr.

Indy, I once had a doctor tell me there was no connection between my bouncing thyroid levels and when I took my calcium pills. I have a new doc now..

[goldfinch]

I have snored since I was a young child. I have sleep apnea as does my spouse. We could bring the roof down with our snorts and snores. There was a year we couldn't even sleep in the same room because we could not get enough sleep. I have a feeling that I had sleep apnea since I was pretty young and that it contributed to several health problems that have not gone away even though I lost weight.

Cool that dehydration was linked to your snoring, Trek! Me, I am stuck with CPAP.