Home Cure Snoring

Snoring The purpose is to sleep like a log, not sound as though you're sawing one. Yet soon after they hit the sheets, nearly half of all folks play nocturnal lumberjack at least occasionally. But the reason for all that nighttime noise has more to do with Sir Isaac Newton than Paul Bunyan--especially if you, like most problem snorers, sleep on your back. Snoring is often caused by gravity acting on loose tissue in the upper airway, says Peter Hauri, Ph.D., codirector of the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center in Rochester, Minnesota. When you're lying on your back, either the tissue or your tongue "falls" into your throat and obstructs your airway. Excess weight and nighttime drinking are commonly associated with snoring. "The best advice I can give to anyone who snores is lose weight. And don't drink--since alcohol plays a role in snoring most of the time," says Thomas Roth, Ph.D., president of the National Sleep Foundation and director of the Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Disorders and Research Center in Detroit. In addition, consider these methods of reducing the rasp of sawing wood to the whispered hiss of sound sleep. Beware the drowsiness drugs. Booze isn't the only sedative that turns up the snoring volume. "Any sleeping pills and tranquilizers should be avoided--and that includes allergy medicine with antihistamine," according to Bernard DeBerry, M.D., a Laguna Hills, California, surgeon who specializes in procedures related to snoring and sleep apnea and who is clinical associate professor of surgery in the Head and Neck Division at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine. "If you must take allergy medication, talk to your doctor about one that produces less sedating side effects, such as terfenadine (Seldane) for hay fever. In general, if your medicine makes you feel sleepy during the day, then you shouldn't be taking it, especially if you have problems with snoring." Snooze on your side or stomach. It's no coincidence that most problem snorers sleep on their backs. "Basically, when you're on your back, your tongue falls back like a wet nag into your throat," says Dr. DeBerry. "That's not exactly helpful in maintaining a clear airway." That's why all experts say sleeping in another position--preferably on your stomach--usually helps decrease both the volume and incidence of snoring. Stop nighttime racket with tennis balls. To keep you off your back, try this old favorite remedy. "Get an old T-shirt or pair of pajamas and sew a long pocket in the back. Then place several tennis balls in that pocket and wear it to bed," says Rosalind Cartwright, Ph.D., director of the Sleep Disorder Service and Research Center at Rush-St. Luke'sPresbyterian Medical Center in Chicago. "If you roll on your back, the tennis balls will be so uncomfortable that you'll move to another position." Get more sleep. "It's not a well-known fact, but sleep loss causes snoring," says Dr. Roth. "If you're snoring and not sleeping enough, you may be able to fix the problem by going to bed an hour or so earlier or sleeping later." Sleep on a firm mattress. If your mattress is soft or saggy, get a new firm one. A flat, firm mattress helps keep your neck straight and reduces obstructions in your airway,

Elevate your bed. "Body position plays an important role in snoring. If you can avoid lying flat, you're much better off, because the tissue won't vibrate so much," says Dr. Roth. Some experts recommend getting an adjustable bed that raises your torso, but an easier method is to place some bricks or blocks of wood under your headboard to raise the front of the bed.

When to See the Doctor Heavy-duty snoring is sometimes associated with sleep apnea--which means that a person literally stops breathing for a period of time. This condition is particularly prevalent among overweight, middle-aged men, and it can be lifethreatening. So see your doctor if snoring is persistent or if somebody has observed that you frequently stop breathing during sleep. Also, frequent snoring can lead to other serious medical problems such as high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat as well as headaches, excessive fatigue and personality changes--all good reasons to see the doctor if snoring persists. Add some pillows. "Placing additional pillows under your head to prop yourself up will also help by changing your sleeping angle," adds Dr. Roth. "Two pillows are better than one pillow, and three pillows are better than two." Or remove all pillows. Pillows can be more of a hindrance than a help, however, if they only kink your neck, says researcher Earl V. Dunn, M.D., of the University of Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Science Centre. The pillows should adjust your entire torso angle to bring you higher. If they elevate only your neck, you're better off without them. Stop the smoke, stop the snore. Doctors agree: If you smoke and snore, the smoking has to stop. Smoking causes changes in the tissue of your respiratory system that can contribute to snoring, says Dr. Lipman. Specifically, the demon weed increases congestion in your nose and throat and causes swelling of the mucous membranes of the throat and upper air passages. And it reduces oxygen uptake by the lungs. Exercise regularly. "People who exercise regularly are much less likely to form congestion in the upper respiratory tract," says Dr. DeBerry. Besides, regular aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health and strengthens overall breathing and lung capacity, which may offset problems that lead to snoring. But exercise should be avoided just before bedtime, since it can "leave your body too charged up to sleep," he adds.

Sore Throat It feels as though someone's holding a lit match at the back of your throat. That raw, burning sensation seems to radiate to your whole head. And you know what that means: at least a few more days of discomfort, as your sore throat takes it course. A sore throat is often the earliest symptom of a cold or the flu. But you can also get a sore throat for a lot of other reasons--from viral or bacterial infections, dry air, smoking, exposure to irritants or too much cheering at a hockey game.

A persistent, recurrent or severe sore throat, or one accompanied by fever, needs medical treatment. But many sore throats can be soothed by the simple remedies given here and should disappear within a week. Suck on soothing lozenges. "I simply suggest sugar-free vitamin C such as N'Ice," says Michael Benninger, M.D., chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and chairman of the committee on Speech, Voice and Swallowing Disorders of the American Academy of Otolaryngology. If you want a lozenge with actual pain-numbing power, look for one that contains benzocaine, such as Cepacol or Chloraseptic, adds Arthur Jacknowitz, Pharm.D., professor and chairman of clinical pharmacy at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in Morgantown. But don't rely on these lozenges for more than two or three days, Dr. Benninger warns. "While they relieve pain, they don't do anything to address the real cause of your pain, whether it be an infection or the abuse of your vocal cords." Or try zinc gluconate tablets. Some people swear by these, and in one study at the Clayton Foundation Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, they did prove to be effective relievers of sore throat and some other cold symptoms. "The trick is to let the dissolved zinc bathe your throat for a while," says Donald Davis, Ph.D., the study's main researcher. "Don't just swallow the tablet." The lozenges should be used for no more than seven days, he adds, because large amounts of zinc can interfere with your body's ability to absorb other minerals. Sip something hot. Try decaffeinated tea or herbal tea with honey, suggests Dr. Benninger. "A number of the performing artists I see use that, and it appears to work for them. I don't know why, but it is very soothing." Tip your head back and roar. While gargling won't kill off the germs causing your sore throat, it will moisturize and temporarily soothe your upper throat, Dr. Benninger says. And while there are many possible gargles on the market, such as Listerine, salt water is as good as any, and it's cheap, he adds. Mix one teaspoon of salt (no more or you'll dry out your throat!) in a pint of warm (never hot) water. To gargle, start by taking in a deep breath. Pour a small amount of salt water into your mouth and tilt your head back. Let air bubble out slowly to create the garling effect. If it's noisy, it's right. Gargle as often as you like.

When to See the Doctor At the first sign of sore throat, most doctors suspect strep throat, a very painful form of sore throat caused by the streptococcus bacteria. It's a serious concern, since strep throat, if left untreated, can lead to problems such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. "With strep throat, the pain is really bad, and it hurts to swallow," says Michael Benninger, M.D., chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and chairman of the committee on Speech, Voice and Swallowing Disorders of the American Academy of Otolaryngology. If small children are in this kind of pain, you can usually tell: "They scrunch their faces when they swallow, they cry, and they drool," says Dr. Benninger. And children with strep throat usually run a fever as well. So if you suspect that you or your child does have strep throat, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible. There are prescription antibiotics that can usually cure the condition quickly. Also have your sore throat checked by a doctor if it's accompanied by any of the following. • • • • • • •

Trouble breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth Joint pains Earache

•

Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks

Rash

Fever above 101°F Blood in the phlegm or saliva A persistent lump in the throat

Indulge in garlic. "When a sore throat is caused by a virus infection, as opposed to bacteria, eating garlic can bring quicker relief," suggests Yu-Yan Yeh, Ph.D., associate professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University in University Park and a researcher on the healing properties of garlic. "Garlic has been shown to have antiviral and antifungal activities." Try an eye-opening cocktail of tomato or mixed vegetable juice, two garlic cloves and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Run it through a blender and drink. Or simply add garlic to your favorite dishes. "It doesn't matter whether it's fresh or powdered garlic," Dr. Yeh says. Avoid tobacco smoke. "To avoid a sore throat in the future, don't smoke and don't expose yourself or your children to sidestream smoke," says Dr. Benninger. Smokers are much more likely than nonsmokers to have chronic throat irritation. And their children have more throat infections than the children of nonsmokers.

Keep indoor air cool and moist. During the cold winter months, the extreme dryness of heated indoor air may cause a recurring mild sore throat, especially in the morning and especially if a stuffed-up nose is making you breathe through your mouth, Dr. Benninger says. "A humidifier on your furnace is okay as long as it's working well, but most people don't keep the house humid enough. Indoor air should be at 35 to 40 percent relative humidity. If you can't achieve that with your furnace humidifier, keep a humidifier in your bedroom, and close the bedroom door at night." Keeping the temperature of your house on the cool side--65° to 68°Fwill reduce your need to add moisture and will also help keep inflammation down. Trade in your toothbrush. "Lingering sore throats may be traceable to bacteria on a toothbrush," says Richard T. Glass, D.D.S., Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Oral Pathology at the Colleges of Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. If you're having chronic problems, he suggests you trade in your toothbrush for a new model every two weeks. "It's also a good idea to throw your toothbrush away at the beginning of an illness, when you first start feeling better two or three days later and then when you feel completely well." Other # For reducing snoring there are a number of simple suggestions or home remedies. Let’s take a look at some of the options or popular snoring remedies, in addition to the ubiquitous tennis ball cure. One simple remedy is to elevate your head with pillows or raise the head of your bed several inches. This reduces the chances of the throat muscle completely blocking your air passages when they relax in sleep. Sleep on your side, not on your back, which causes your tongue and soft palate to fall back, narrowing the airway. Other lifestyle changes include exercising more, losing weight and abstaining from alcohol and smoking. You especially should not drink alcohol before going to sleep because alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, thereby blocking your air passages even more. In addition, smoking restricts your air passages and leads to snoring. Finally, you should avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines. In addition to such so-called home cures, there are over-the-counter snoring remedies available, including anti-snoring pills, throat sprays, and nasal strips. Anti-snoring pills contain natural plant enzymes and herbs that are said to prevent throat and nose tissue from swelling, resulting in a more open and smoother airflow that helps reduce snoring. Some popular brands are: Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula, Sinus Buster, SnorEase, Snore Rx and Ysnore. Throat sprays coat the soft tissues of the throat allowing the air to move more freely and lessening the noisy vibration. Some well known brands are Ayr Snore Relieving Throat Spray, D-Snore, Good Night Stop Snore, Helps Stop Snoring, and Silence. Nasal strips are drug-free, non-prescription devices that work mechanically to keep your nose open and make breathing easier. The most popular national brand is “Breathe

Right.” In addition, several drug stores and groceries market their own versions of nasal strips.

Other # 1

Snoring Causes Snoring Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet

Muscle tone of the tongue During sleep the muscle tone in your tongue and soft palate tends to decrease. They become more relaxed and can collapse together. This contributes to snoring. Other soft tissues, such as tonsils and tongue, can produce sounds that add to or change the quality of the snoring. The position of the sleeper affects the amount of snoring. Lying on your back allows your tongue to fall back toward your throat and block your airway; so you are more likely to snore when you are lying on your back. Blockage of airway Anything that obstructs your airway will also contribute to snoring. For example, you are more likely to snore if you have large adenoids or a large tongue or if your nasal passages are swollen from a cold or allergies. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the primary cause of snoring in children. Age and other factors Age is also a factor. Older people tend to snore more because muscle tone tends to decrease with age. Other factors also aggravate snoring; alcoholic beverages, certain medications, and sheer physical exhaustion may be associated with heavy snoring.

Snoring cure Snoring home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers

Lose weight Maintain a normal weight - Losing weight can greatly reduce or even end snoring and possible obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Proper diet and exercise to losing weight.

Avoid smoking Don't smoke--period!! can cause increased nasal congestion and mucous in the throat area. Breathing through the nose is more effectual way to bring air into the lungs than mouth breathing.

Reduce alcohol intake Alcohol can cause relaxation in the soft tissues and muscles in the throat. This will result in snoring or sleep apnea.

Sleep on your side Sleep on your side, it makes the snoring a little lower

Home Remedies for Fungal Infections Symptoms: Athlete's foot • • • •

Itching, scaling and redness that often starts between the toes Dryness, flaking, or blisters on the toes or sole of the feet Toenails that thicken and become layered or scaly and yellowish Odor in severe cases

Jock itch •

Itchy red bumps in the groin and on the genitals. Rash may extend to the buttocks and inner thighs

Yeast infections • • • • • •

Thick white, discharge from the vagina Itching, pain, or tenderness around the genitals Pain or soreness during sex Urge to urinate often. Urine may sting or burn A red itching rash with flaky white patches on moist skin areas Creamy yellow or white coating in the mouth or throat or on the tongue

Prevention: • •

Bathe daily and dry your body well Avoid tight shoes and underwear, especially in hot weather

Athlete's foot •

Expose your feet to the air as much as possible. Wear plastic sandals in public dressing rooms and showers

Jock itch •

Change your clothes as soon as your finish working out, and don't share towels anywhere

Yeast infections • • • • •

Don't use feminine hygiene sprays or douches. They could kill the helpful bacteria in the vagina Wear underclothes and work out clothes which are made of cotton Wash your clothes in hot water after each use If you have repeated bouts of the infection and you take the pill, ask the doctor about trying a different method of birth control If you use steroid inhaler for asthma, rinse your mouth after each use

Cure: Athlete's infection • • • • •

Wash twice a day and dry well between the toes after showering or swimming Apply an over the counter anti fungal powder, cream to your feet and sprinkle some powder in your shoes everyday Wash sports shoes at least once a week Wear clean cotton socks, and don't wear the same shoes everyday Take your shoes and socks off at home to give your feet plenty of air

Jock itch •

• • •

Use an anti fungal powder, cream, or spray, three times a day until the rash goes away. Keep using the medication for atleast a week after that to make sure the fungus is completely gone Don't wear tight pants or underwear's Change your underwear and jock strap daily. Wash them in hot water Dry your groin well after showering.

Yeast infections: • • • • •

Use condoms or stop having intercourse until you get treated Use an over the counter yeast medicine. Wear clean cotton underwear, and avoid panty hose and tight pants Eat plain yogurt containing active cultures if you have yeast infection after taking antibiotics For thrust, try a gentle mouth wash to loosen the white coat

Need of Home Remedies for Fungal Infection Athlete's foot • • •

If your foot has an odor that doesn't go away after treatment at home If your rash starts to spread or isn't better or isn't better after 2 weeks of self care If the infection has reached your nails. This is hard to clear up.

Jock itch • • •

If over the counter treatments fail to work after a couple of weeks If you develop an open sore that oozes pus If the rash spreads, gets worse, or keeps coming back

Yeast infection • •

If you suspect you have one and you aren't better after using the over the counter drugs If you have signs of thrush. Your doctor may prescribe anti fungal creams, pills or suppositories