Homeopathic Medicine for Snoring:
Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases, the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be loud and unpleasant. Snoring during sleep may be a sign, or first alarm, of obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, Homeopathic medicine we use for the treatment of snoring particularly acts to relieve the obstruction. In addition, side effects of Homeopathy are nil when compared to any other treatments for snoring.
Interesting facts about Snoring:
- Snoring is caused by vibrating tissues within the airways of the nose and throat.
- The vibrations that cause snoring are caused by turbulent airflow through narrowed airways.
- Snoring effect by the stage of sleep, sleeping position, and the use of medications and alcohol.
- The Snoring may be a problem for family members and sleeping partners of the snorer.
- Snoring also may be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
- Treatments for snoring are nonsurgical and surgical.
The Mechanism of Snoring:
Anyone can snore during the sleep, as it is maybe due to bad position during the sleep also causes the obstruction of airways leading to snoring. In fact, Snoring becomes a complaint only when sleeping partners cannot adjust during the sleeping time, and a person who snores himself feels sleep is not proper and restless.
When we are asleep, the area at the back of the throat sometimes narrows as the muscles relax, and even close off temporarily. The same amount of air passing through this smaller opening can cause the tissues surrounding the opening to vibrate, which in turn can cause the sounds of snoring. Different people who snore have different reasons for the narrowing. The narrowing can be in the nose, mouth, or throat. Palatal snoring is often worse when an individual breathes through his or her mouth or has nasal obstruction.
What are the causes of snoring?
We naturally want to breathe through our noses. Some people cannot breathe through their noses because of the obstruction of the nasal passages. This can cause by a deviation of the nasal septum, allergies, sinus infections, swelling of the turbinate’s, or large adenoids (tonsils in the back of the throat).
In adults, the most common causes of nasal obstruction are septal deviations from a broken nose or tissue swelling from allergies. In children, enlarged adenoids (tonsils in the back of the throat) are often the cause of the obstruction. People with nasal airway obstruction who must breathe through their mouths are therefore sometimes called “mouth breathers.” Many mouth breathers snore, because the flow of air through the mouth causes greater vibration of tissues.
The soft palate is important when breathing and swallowing: During nasal breathing, the palate moves forward and “opens” the nasal airway for air to pass into the lungs. During swallowing, the palate moves backward and “closes” the nasal passages, thereby directing the food and liquid down the esophagus instead of into the back of the nose.
Some other causes of snoring:
The uvula is the small extension at the back of the soft palate. It assists with the function of the soft palate. After a night of heavy snoring, the soft palate and uvula may be swollen in the morning. Patients may experience an increased sensation of gagging in the morning until the swelling subsides.
The tonsils are designed to detect and fight infections. They are located at the back of the mouth on each side of the throat (oropharynx). They also called the palatine tonsils. Like other infection-fighting tissue, the tonsils swell while they are fighting bacteria and viruses. Often, the tonsils do not return to their normal size after the infection is gone. They can remain enlarged (hypertrophied) and can narrow the airway vibrate, and cause snoring.
When we are asleep, we are usually (though not always) lying down. Gravity acts to pull on all the tissues of the body, but the tissues of the pharynx are relatively soft and floppy. Therefore, when we lie on our backs, gravity pulls the palate, tonsils, and tongue backward. This often narrows the airway enough to cause turbulence in airflow, tissue vibration and snoring.
The root cause of snoring is the vibration of the tissues while breathing. Some medications as well as alcohol can lead to enhanced relaxation of muscles during sleep. As the muscles of the palate, tongue, neck, and pharynx relax more, the airway collapses more. This leads to a smaller airway and greater tissue vibration. Some medications encourage a deeper level of sleep, which also can worsen snoring.
Treatment of snoring:
Treatment for snoring is important, as is sometimes associated with serious medical problems. This distinction is important because of the associated link between the underlying conditions and other adverse health effects. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes. This association is thought to exist because of a higher prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. Signs that may indicate a more serious problem, apnea (stopping breathing), or gasping can suggest a breathing problem like sleep apnea (see below) or heart problems. Leg kicking or other jerking movements can indicate a problem such as periodic limb movement disorder or restless leg syndrome.
To evaluate the snoring and its underlying cause, a thorough physical examination may also be performed including assessing the patient’s body weight and body mass index (BMI), assessment of the neck circumference (the area around the neck), and visualization of the throat, nasal, and oral cavities to determine how narrow the oral and nasal passages are.
The Homeopathic Treatment approach for Snoring: a case study
A 35 yrs old banker came to our clinic saying that he came with the complaint of snoring, which is too loud and unbearable to his wife. Earlier he used to snore but it is not much louder and bearable to his wife. Now for 1 month, his wife wakes him up from sleep and says to go to sleep in sideways, and again after one hour she wakes him again and says that she is unable to bear his snoring and wants him to go and sleep in another bedroom.
We asked him to explain his problem in detail, he says that he has pressures in the office and stress is more and for 2-3 months his wife is away from him for the delivery of a girl child. It made him be more stressed and his food habits altered. He used to drink alcohol more almost every day and as for the sake of his wife, he started traveling once a week to his home place, which made him sleepless and restless. From onwards his problem increased. I asked him about his past history, he said he used to get frequent throat infections, for which he took allopathic medications. He has a throat problem, he has to clear the throat every time, more phlegm accumulation after waking up. Nowadays he put on weight also.
Homeopathic diagnosis of snoring case:
Once we tried to check up, we felt his throat is congested, we suggested him to go through the CT scan of sinus and upper respiratory tract. He again came back with reports where it suggests that there is an infection in sinuses, deviated nasal septum, and hypertrophied turbinate and chronic tonsillitis. Then we told him to avoid alcohol, cold food, and drinks. Avoid the direct flow of air on the face. We took his case thoroughly, basing on his mental, emotional, and physical troubles we gave him 1 dose of Arsenicum 1M. After that, he relieved a lot and his snoring reduced.
Conclusion:
If once we can able to find out the person and is underlying causes for his stressful life, his reactions, and fears towards the situations, his way of taking the problems and expression of them, gives us the beautiful picture of the person as a whole. If we suggest the remedy according, we guaranteed results, which relieve the person as a whole without suppressing the symptoms.
Some other important Homeopathic medicines for Snoring for your reference:
Opium – Topmost Homeopathic medicine for snoring during chill:
It is the best Homeopathy Medicine for snoring in those breathing stops as soon as he sleeps. It wakes him immediately from sleep. Snoring on the other hand wakes suddenly or has to be shaken to start again. Opium is highly beneficial for difficult, slow, and intermittent respiration. The persons with snoring usually feel that his lungs paralyzed, where this Homeopathic medicine use is very remarkable. If you have narcolepsy, falls into a heavy stupid sleep, then opium is the best remedy for your snoring. The persons who need this Homeopathic remedy for snoring generally have Sleepiness on reading or concentrating. It is also good Homeopathy Medicine for those with Very sleepy but cannot sleep.
Lac Caninum – another top-grade homeopathic remedy for snoring as soon as falling asleep:
These people feel dyspnea immediately after falling asleep. This Homeopathic medicine is best suitable for those who experience a sensation of floating in the air. The snoring in Lac caninum patients particularly increases in cold days. It is also a very good remedy for snoring in sensitive persons. If you have a great desire for salt, spices, and alcohol along with snoring, Lac caninum is the best Homeopathic remedy for you.
Lachesis – Best Homeopathy medicine for snoring with left-sided complaints and heat intolerance:
Suffocation on falling asleep or waking from sleep with suffocation is an important indication of Lachesis for snoring. For Snoring particularly in, asthmatic people need to prescribe this Homeopathic remedy. In general, jealousy is the underlying cause of every complaint seen in Lachesis patients. It is also the best remedy for snoring that starts immediately after falling asleep. Lachesis is especially benefits for snoring usually worsens during hot days.
Bromium – Excellent Homeopathic medicine for snoring especially at the seashore:
It is best indicates in those persons who have their complaints worsen particularly at the seashore. For snoring that increases mainly while living in coastal areas, it is the best Homeopathic remedy. It is also beneficial for the treatment of snoring for the most part come about after dust exposure. If you have difficulty in breathing, chiefly taking air in, along with snoring, Bromium can help you. Another important feature to prescribe this Homeopathic medicine is a combination of symptoms, the snoring, and swelling of glands.
Sulphur – Great Homeopathic remedy for snoring after the suppression of skin eruptions:
It is the great age-old homeopathic medicine used to treat multiple complaints. If the above-mentioned Homeopathic remedies do not work for the treatment of snoring, you need to think of sulphur. Sulphur is best suitable for a person who experiences full of burning pains in the affected parts. You can identify these persons with symptoms such as; standing is the worst position for them. Snoring in philosophical minds is mostly curable with this Homeopathic medicine.
References:
- Boericke, Homeopathic Materia Medica, and Repertory.
- Materia Medica Keynotes by Henry C. Allen
- Lectures On Homoeopathic Materia Medica By J.T.Kent
- Snoring: Causes, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment