Snoring Causes and Solutions

Snoring Causes
& Solutions

The Superstore for Everything Snore

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Introduction

This educational booklet is written for people who suffer from
sleep disordered breathing and their sleeping partners. It can
also be used for discussion with your health care provider.

In the following pages, you will discover a simple overview of
sleep disordered breathing. To find your solution, it’s good to
have a basic understanding of causes of snoring and the range
of sleep disordered breathing.

The great news is that snoring can be tamed and your life can be
improved overnight. There is no single treatment that works for
everyone. But everyone CAN find a solution that works for them.

Most treatments in this booklet can be used to successfully treat
the entire range of sleep disordered breathing. Whether you find
your solution with the Dentist, the Physician or SnoreMart.com,
your life will be improved.

Warmest regards,

Patrick Tessier, MBA
Founder of SnoreMart


Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be a substitute for professional
medical advice, prevention, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice
of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions
regarding a medical condition.

Legend: Available from Available from
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Available at
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Snoring Causes

Snoring is very common, with about half the adult population
snoring at least occasionally. In fact, it is difficult to find people
not affected by snoring. Almost everyone has a story to share.

There are many serious negative effects associated with
snoring ranging from sleep deprivation for the partner to
obstructive sleep apnea for the snorer.

Causes of Snoring

Snoring is the harsh sound you hear when the snorer inhales
during sleep. Air travels past the soft, flexible structures such as
the palate, uvula, tonsils and tongue. When sleeping, the soft
tissues at the back of the throat relax, the jaw and the attached
tongue fall back and the airway is significantly more narrow. As
air goes through this narrow passage, pressure and velocity
increase, causing the tissues to vibrate.

Normal Breathing Snoring Sleep Apnea (OSA)

No Blockage Partial Blockage Complete Blockage

There are many factors that affect snoring including:

• Sleeping position • Obesity
• Nasal congestion • Muscle relaxers & Alcohol
• Enlarged throat tissues • Smoking & throat irritants
• Small lower jaw • Mouth breathing

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Snoring Causes

Sleep Disordered Breathing

Sleep disordered breathing is the medical term for anything
from simple snoring to severe obstructive sleep apnea. As the
condition becomes worse, it can cross the line from simple
snoring to obstructive sleep apnea.

As many as 90 million Americans snore occasionally. It is
estimated that less than 2 million suffer severe sleep apnea.

Sleep Disordered Breathing

Snoring Obstructive Sleep Apnea

90 million

Occasional Regular Upper Airway Mild Moderate Severe
Snoring Snoring Resistance Sleep Sleep Sleep
Syndrome Apnea Apnea Apnea
AHI: < 5
AHI: 5-15 AHI: 15-30 AHI: > 30

Sleep apnea can also be present in the form of Central sleep
apnea or a hybrid of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea originates in the brain, which fails to send
proper signals to the breathing muscles.

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Snoring Causes

Snoring vs. Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Disordered Breathing is broken down in two categories:
snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Then further categorized
into three major sub-groups. These sub-groups are defined by
the Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI). AHI is measured with a home
sleep test (HST) or a Laboratory sleep study (PSG)

Apnea event = 80-100% reduction in airflow with stoppage
of breathing for 10 seconds or more.

= 50-80% reduction of airflow with stoppage
Hypopnea event of breathing for 10 seconds or more.

= (Number of apnea + hypopnea events) / hour

AHI

Snoring

Benign snoring is not considered a medical condition, but it is the
cause of serious negative health issues from sleep deprivation
to marital discord. Treatment to eliminate snoring can have
numerous benefits.

Snoring ..................... < 5 AHI

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is a medical condition that can shorten your life. It has many
related serious health issues. OSA is supported by most medical
insurances and several branches of the medical community,
including Dentistry.

Mild............................. 5-15 AHI
Moderate...............15-30 AHI
Severe....................... > 30 AHI

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Sleep Testing

There are a number of testing options available to gain insight
to your condition. Below are the simple tests to get you started.

SnoreLab

For the snorer in denial, record them with this innovative app
for an iPhone. Nothing like the embarrassment of hearing
yourself snore to provoke action!

Questionnaires

Three short quizzes can start your discovery process:
STOPBang, Epworth and Berlin questionnaires.

STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Questionnaire

Chung F et al Anesthesiology 2008 and BJA 2012

STOP Yes No
Yes No
Do you SNORE loudly (louder than talking or loud Yes No
enough to be heard through closed doors)? Yes No

Do you often feel TIRED, fatigued, or sleepy during
daytime?

Has anyone OBSERVED you stop breathing during
your sleep?

Do you have or are you being treated for high blood
PRESSURE?

BANG Yes No
Yes No
BMI more than 35kg/m2? Yes No
AGE over 50 years old? Yes No
NECK circumference > 16 inches (40cm)?
GENDER: Male?

TOTAL SCORE

Number of Yes answers : Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
0-2 : Low 3-4: Intermediate 5-8: High

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Sleep Testing

Home sleep testing can be used for informational and
diagnostic purposes. They are accepted by health care
providers and actually preferred by most insurance companies.

Home Sleep Testing - Private

Professional sleep testing from the comfort of your own bed.
Inexpensive, accurate 2 night study using a type III device.
Interpreted by a board certified MD. Results are private, only
sent to you.

Home Sleep Testing - Insurance

Get financial help from your medical insurance for this world
class HST. Record for 2 nights to get an accurate test result.
Interpreted by a board certified MD. We do all the paperwork.

Laboratory Sleep Testing (PSG)

A supervised overnight sleep test is the gold standard for a
variety of sleep disorders. Qualified technicians insure the
data collected is accurate. Results are read and interpreted
by a board certified MD. This is also know as polysomnogram

testing or PSG.

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Treatment Overview

This guide groups the available treatments by the intended
results, all of which are documented to reduce or eliminate
sleep disordered breathing symptoms. Most treatments can be
effective for the entire range of sleep disordered breathing, from
snoring to obstructive sleep apnea.

Lifestyle Changes Eliminate the Noise

Weight Loss Sleep in different rooms
Bariatric Surgery (Lap Band) Cover-up with Therapeutic Noise
Ear Plugs
Stop Smoking
Avoid Alcohol or Muscle relaxers Tighten the Throat

Open the Nose Throat Exercise
Homeopathic Astringents
Nose Dilators
Chin Straps Open the Airway
Reduce Nasal Congestion
nasent Classic Chin Straps
Winx Sleep Therapy System Oral Appliances
Septoplasty Surgery
Tongue Retention Device
Don’t Sleep on the Back Non-Custom Oral Appliances
Custom Oral Appliances
Mechanical Devices EPAP
Tennis Ball - Free CPAP
SlumberBump Surgical
Remetee Bumper Belt Pillar Procedure
Zzoma Belt SomnoPlasty (Radio Frequency)
Anti-Snore Pillows UPPP Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
TransOral Robotic Surgery
Electronic Devices Tracheostomy
iRollover Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation
Night Shift Jaw Repositioning (Oral Surgery)
NightBalance

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Lifestyle Changes

Weight Loss

The #1 most effective treatment. A popular medical
solution is Bariatric Surgery - (Lap Band)

Stop Smoking

Smoke irritates and inflames the tissue in the throat, shrinking
the airway and contributing to snoring.

Avoid Alcohol or Muscle Relaxers

Drinking before bed will relax the throat muscles and almost
always contribute to snoring. Ask a camper.

Eliminate the Noise

Sleep in Different Rooms

25% of married couples end up sleeping separately. Just ask
Tom Cruise or Judge Judy. They built “snoratoriums”.

Cover with Therapeutic Noise

Sound therapy using a special sound machines invoking
soothing sounds from nature are great.

Ear Plugs

Simple and effective. Foam or silicone ear plugs lower
the decibels in the room & allow you to get some sleep.

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Tighten the Throat

Throat Exercises

Strengthen the throat muscles reduces tissue size.
Playing the didgeridoo is a proven solution.

Homeopathic Astringents

Herbal based astringents have been documented to shrink
tissue since the 1300s. Still works today.

Open the Nose

Nasal Dilators

More effective than nose strips, these devices open the nasal
passage from the inside. Amazing results! Available in S/M/L

Chin Straps

Simple and effective. By keeping your mouth closed, you are
forced to breathe through your nose.

nastent Classic

nastent™ is a soft, tube-shaped medical device that is
inserted from the nose to the uvula. Simple and effective.

Winx Sleep Therapy System

This device creates a negative pressure in the oral cavity,
which opens the airway for nasal breathing.

Septoplasty Surgery

Corrective surgery for a deviated septum. Opens the
nasal passage permanently.

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Don’t Sleep on the Back

Tennis Ball

Cheap, quick and super effective. Tape a ball on the back of a
tee shirt. (see the free video on www.SnoreMart.com)

SlumberBump

Designed by a Utah Dentist, this device comes in two sizes and
even has an extention belt available.

Remetee Bumper Belt

A big step up from the tennis ball solution. Designed
in Canada and comes in S/M/L/XL

Zzoma Belt

Developed by a Doctor, this one-size-fits-all belt
produces documented results.

Anti-Snore Pillows

Built to encourage side sleeping, these
comfortable pillows come is several designs



iRollover

Developed in a Chicago Sleep Lab, plays your recording to
encourage your sleeping partner to “ROLL OVER”



Night Shift

Worn on the back of the neck, Night Shift vibrates when you
start to back-sleep. Clinically validated

NightBalance

Active sleep position sensor which trains patients using gentle
vibrations to not sleep on their back.

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Open the Airway

Oral Appliances

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends oral
appliances as the first line of therapy for the entire range of sleep disordered
breathing, except severe sleep apnea.

Tongue Retention Device

This device is placed in front of the teeth and the tongue is
retained in the little bulb. It is recommended for people that
experience jaw pain (TMJ) or do not have a full set of healthy
teeth (Wear full / partial dentures or have loose teeth).

Non-Custom Oral Appliance

The single most popular snore prevention product. These
inexpensive devices work much the same as a custom device.
SnoreRx and SnoreMD are adjustable and use a heat molded
fitting process. ZQuiet can be used right out of the box.

Custom Oral Appliance

Most professionals and patients alike consider a custom oral
appliance to be the best treatment for the largest range of
sleep disordered breathing.

Obtained from a Dentist with advanced training in Dental
Sleep Medicine. They fit perfectly and are long lasting. With
over 100 products available, you have some choices. Your
Dentist will know which is the best for you.

In addition to Dental Laboratory fabricated devices, your
Dentist can also build a short term device right in the practice
for a much reduced cost.

These devices are best for snoring through moderate OSA.

To find a Dentist near you: www.SnoreMart.com/doctor

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Open the Airway

EPAP

Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure is a new treatment protocol
developed at Stanford University.

As you breathe in, the patented MicroValve Technology opens,
allowing you to breathe in normally. As you breathe out, the
MicroValves close to create a gentle pressure that naturally opens
your nasal airway and relieves snoring. Comes in two versions:
Theravent from SnoreMart or ProVent from your health care
provider. Both versions involve covering your nose with the
small valve device.

CPAP

CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
was developed in the 1980s. It is a pneumatic splint for the
nasopharyngeal airway. It is absolutely the gold standard for
treating obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP has come a long ways
since the 1980s, but the fundamental design is consistent.
Other versions include:

BiPAP - which varies the pressure breathing in and out
AutoPAP - Which automatically adjusts the pressure for you.

There are a variety of masks to improve comfort. Nasal pillows
are popular. You can also add humidifiers.

The biggest downside is wearing the mask. In fact, 40%
of patients prescribed CPAP therapy end up refusing the
treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep
apnea, it’s a life saver.

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Open the Airway

The following is a list of the most common surgical procedures.

PIllar Procedure

In about 20 mins, under local anesthetic, a doctor uses a sterile
device to place 3-5 tiny implants to support & stiffen the palate.



SomnoPlasty

Under local anesthetic, the doctor uses a small electrode to
deliver RF energy under the target tissue. After 6-8 weeks, the
healing process shrinks and stiffens the tissue.



Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

A common procedure involves removal of tissue in the throat.
Typically removes the tonsils and surfaces of the soft palate
and uvula.



Transoral Robotic Surgery (Tors Bot)

Minimally invasive robotic surgery using a da Vinci surgical
robot machine. Uses a high-definition, magnified camera
for precise surgery at the base of the tongue (BOT).

Tracheostomy

One of the oldest procedures, it consists of inserting a tube to
serve as the airway. This is a life saver in extreme cases.



Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation

Completely implanted, it continuously monitors your breathing
patterns. Delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles.



Jaw Repositioning Surgery

Maxillomandibular advancement or BiMax permanently moves
the upper and lower jaw forward with oral surgery.



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For More Information

You can obtain more information regarding sleep disordered
breathing and treatments from the following web sites

American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
www.aadsm.org


American Academy of Sleep Medicine
www.aasmnet.org

American Sleep Apnea Association
www.sleepapnea.org

National Sleep Foundation
www.sleepfoundation.org

American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
www.aacfp.org

For comments or questions regarding information in this booklet
SnoreMart, Inc.
877-252-7317

[email protected]
www.snoremart.com

Personalized reprints for Professionals
can be obtained from SnoreMart
[email protected]
425-250-6290

© 2015- SnoreMart Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be
reproduced in any manner without written permission from SnoreMart, Inc.

877-252-7317

The Superstore for Everything Snore

www.SnoreMart.com