Snoring Aids - Do They Really Work?

Wednesday. September 17 th 2008

Before you run down to the local pharmacy and plunk down your hard earned cash on a bunch of snoring aids that claim to cure this habit in overnight, pay attention to what real people have to say about which are the best and which seem to really work. After all, you can spend literally hundreds of dollars on those snoring aids, and some will work while some really won’t. Wouldn’t you really rather know the difference beforehand?

Snoring Aid #1: Nasal Strips

These spongy little strips that go over the top of your nose are one of the most advertised snoring aids out there. There are commercials on television and internet ads touting the effectiveness of them. Do they really work?

It seems that nasal strips are some of the more effective snoring aids for many people. If your nasal passages are clogged you’re going to naturally breathe through your mouth, and this will cause you to snore. By forcing your nose to stay open, you’re giving your nose more room to breathe. Many snoring aids are meant to open nasal passages, and some work like the nasal strips - they force your nose to stay open by pulling the sides of it just a bit wide. Even though this sounds a little weird, this isn’t anything to be afraid of, as even professional athletes wear these strips while on the playing field in order to enable their breathing more readily. Nasal strips are also preferred among the snoring aids because they require you to take nothing into your system; they are non-narcotic and you don’t need to worry about allergies, drug interaction, and so on.

Snoring Aid #2: Throat Sprays

Many throat sprays that are advertised as snoring aids work by keeping your throat hydrated and coated all through the night. If your throat is coated, you’ll snore less even if you do breathe through your mouth. Even throat sprays that are advertised for sore throats, cough, and allergies can work well also. They do pretty much the same thing, by coating your throat and providing some relief from the scratchy feeling.

Snoring Aid #3: Snore Pillows

Also popular as snoring aids are the so-called snoring pillows. These help to keep your head and neck propped up; if your head is in alignment, your mouth is less likely to drop open. Snore pillows are also preferred as snoring aids for the same reason as nasal strips - they involve no medications or anything that you take into your system. They are also usually very affordable, the basic models starting at only about $20. For most persons who use them, snoring pillows are reportedly very effective and work to keep you sleeping on your side or stomach, and even when you do sleep on your back, your mouth stays closed.

If none of these basic snoring aids seem to work for you, it may be time to talk to your doctor. There are prescription medications, dental devices, and even outpatient surgeries that can be recommended.