Can you really help stop your snoring by taking singing classes? According to a clinical trial at Exeter University performing certain singing exercises may help strengthen certain muscles, which could help alleviate snoring and even obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea occur when weak muscles or excess flesh in the soft palate and upper throat collapse into the airway during sleep, stopping breathing. When the airway is partially blocked, snoring noises occur and when it becomes totally blocked the sleeper stops breathing completely. Serious singers use vocal exercises to improve the tone and strength of these muscles.

The trial looked at 60 chronic snorers and 60 people diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. The participants were randomly assigned to follow a program of singing exercises for 3 months or to do nothing. At the end of the trial the results showed that the daily singing exercises reduced the loudness and frequency of snoring. People who did not do the exercises saw no change in their snoring.

If chronic snoring is bothering you (or your spouse) try joining a glee club or taking singing lessons. If singing isn’t your thing you can also control chronic snoring by using an oral appliance created by a specially trained sleep medicine dentist. Although you might think that snoring is your only issue you may be surprised to discover that you are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is a common sign of the sleep disorder.

Find out more about getting a quiet, restful night of sleep by contacting Dr. Mark Levy, your Columbus sleep apnea dentist, today at 614-476-6696.