There was a terrific article on NYTimes.com a few days ago about the trial and error method that most people go through trying to put an end to their snoring.  Many people who snore are pressured by their sleep-deprived bed-mates to discover a solution.

Lifestyle and sleep hygiene solutions for reducing snoring include:

• Weight Loss
• Sleep on your side, not your back
• Avoid alcohol before bedtime
• Clear nasal passages

If your snoring isn’t reduced or eliminated following these steps then it may be time to visit a doctor who specializes in sleep.  In order to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea the specialist will have you do a sleep study which measures your breathing, movement and blood oxygen levels as you sleep.  Sleep studies typically require that you spend the night in a sleep clinic.

If you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea the initial treatment suggested will probably be sleeping with a CPAP.  Many patients find sleeping with the masks and tubing that are part of the CPAP treatment impossible and being the search for the treatment that works best for them.

In the NY Times article, the patient profiled went through a great deal of trial and error and ultimately  found her solution through an oral appliance created by a dentist trained in Dental Sleep Medicine.  These custom fit appliances aid mild to moderate sleep apnea in about 75% of patients.

If snoring and sleep apnea are ruining sleep for you and your partner in Columbus, Ohio please contact Dr. Mark Levy at StoneRidge Dental Care at 614-476-6696 today.  You deserve a good night’s sleep.