How to Stop Snoring With Nose Strips

Nasal strips, used properly, may alleviate your snoring.

Snoring is a common problem for many people. Snoring can cause disturbances in your sleep, as well as your partner's sleep. Snoring primarily caused by nasal congestion can be alleviated with the use of nasal strips. However, nasal strips may not be effective for all causes of snoring. Other issues related to snoring include whether you are overweight, smoke or have physical characteristics such as an enlarged tongue. For those causes, nasal strips may help, but it is likely you will need to seek other medical interventions for your snoring.

Things You'll Need

• Nasal strips
• Journal or notebook

Instructions

1. Consult your doctor. Nasal strips are available without a prescription, but chronic snorers should talk with their doctor before beginning any treatment. If your snoring is not related to nasal congestion from allergies, a cold or other identifiable issues related to the nasal passages, your doctor may recommend a treatment other than nasal strips.

2. Purchase nasal strips from a pharmacy or drugstore. Again, no prescription is required because nasal strips contain no medication.

3. Follow instructions on the packaging for proper use of your nasal strips. Typically, the strips are worn at night by placing the strip over the bridge of your nose. The strip lifts the sides of the nose, opening the nasal passages for increased airflow.

4. Keep a journal of your sleep quality. Ask your partner to help you. Typically, you will not have a good sense of how loud or frequent your snoring is, nor how it affects your sleep. Your partner, on the other hand, will likely know whether your snoring is improving or not.

5. Take your sleep journal to your next doctor's appointment to discuss your progress. Help your doctor help you by keeping an accurate journal of how many hours you are sleeping and what your sleep quality is like.

Tips & Warnings

• Smoking significantly increases your chances of snoring. If you smoke and snore, ask your doctor about smoking-cessation programs as well as snoring treatments.

• Weight loss can also significantly reduce snoring.

• Snoring can be an indication of a more serious sleeping disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing for short periods of time throughout the night. This disorder can have significant health implications. Your doctor can help you diagnose sleep apnea, particularly if you document your sleep experience.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Snoring: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
• American Rhinologic Society: Snoring and Nasal Congestion
• Mayo Clinic: Sleep Apnea