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5 Snoring Myths Debunked

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Do you or your partner snore? You may not know as much about snoring as you thought. Here are 5 snoring myths debunked to help you get a better night’s sleep.

Myth #1- Snoring Is Harmless

You may think of snoring as just a nuisance. However, snoring problems can be a symptom of sleep apnea, which can negatively impact your health.

Sleep apnea is a condition where your airway is partially obstructed when you sleep. A common cause of sleep apnea is your tongue relaxing back into your throat.

Since you aren’t getting enough oxygen when you sleep, you can develop a variety of health problems. A few health issues associated with sleep apnea include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Depression

In addition to the direct results of sleep apnea, it can lead to daytime drowsiness. Being tired during the day can seriously impact your life and increase your odds of being in a car accident.

All things considered, ignoring your snoring is a mistake that could cost you your life.

Myth #2 – Snoring Mouthpieces Are a Scam

You may have seen ads for snoring mouthpieces and assumed they were a scam. In fact, snoring mouthpieces can improve snoring in most people who don’t have severe sleep apnea.

To learn more about snoring mouthpieces, read Sleepyhood.com.

Since a common cause of snoring is the tongue relaxing into the throat, snoring mouthpieces help stabilize your tongue. There are two main types of snoring mouthpieces.

Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)

As the name implies, a mandibular advancement device holds your jaw forward while you sleep. That helps prevent your tongue from falling into your throat.

MADs can work very well for many people. However, you can’t use them with dentures, and they may cause jaw pain.

Tongue Retaining Device (TRD)

A TRD works by holding the tip of your tongue between your front teeth. It does a great job of preventing your tongue from blocking your airway. However, it isn’t a good option for people who can’t breathe well through their nose.

Myth #3 – Daytime Sleepiness Means You Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep

You might get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night and still feel tired during the day. Daytime fatigue can be a symptom of a sleep disorder like insomnia or narcolepsy.

If you feel drowsy no matter how much sleep you get, you need to talk to a doctor. Sleep disorders can have a serious negative impact on your health and quality of life.

Did you know that your daytime fatigue could even impact your blood pressure and contribute to obesity? These things are tied to the fact that your body isn’t properly resting at night.

Myth #4 – Insomnia Refers to Trouble Falling Asleep

When most people think about insomnia, they think about having trouble falling asleep at night. Insomnia is more than that. In addition to trouble falling asleep, insomnia may refer to:

  • Waking up in the middle of the night
  • Waking up earlier than you want and not being able to fall back to sleep
  • Waking up without feeling refreshed

Insomnia can be debilitating. If you suffer from any type of insomnia, you should talk to your doctor. Solutions exist that can help you sleep better, which can improve your overall health.

Myth #5 – The Older You Get, the Less Sleep You Need

Older adults seem to get up super early in the morning. That must mean they need less sleep, right? While older people may have more trouble falling and staying asleep, they also need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

Many older people have a sleep cycle that has shifted to fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier. That’s why you’ll often find older people eating dinner much earlier than you would expect. They often go to bed earlier, which means eating sooner.

On the flip side, it is true that kids and teens need more sleep than adults. Teenagers need as much as 9.25 hours of sleep per night. They also often fall asleep later than adults, resulting in a lack of sleep during the school year.

What Should I Do About My Snoring?

Now that you understand how much snoring can impact your health, it’s time to talk about what you should do. Trying a snoring mouthpiece can be a great place to start. They’re relatively inexpensive and may solve your problem without a doctor’s visit. If a snoring mouthpiece doesn’t help, it’s time to see the doctor.