The main culprit in snoring is inflammation and congestion in your nasal passages and throat. Swelling in your throat tissues paired with mucous build-up make it nearly impossible to breathe at night. This swelling creates overcrowding, and allows the tissues in your throat to vibrate. Snoring treatments range from Breathe-Right strips to surgical options to correct deviated septums. Weight loss, limiting your alcohol intake before bedtime, and sleeping on your side have also been known to reduce snoring. However, since the majority of snoring is attributed to inflammation, eating natural, anti-inflammatory foods is a simple, effective solution. Your Livonia dentist, Dr. James Stewart, recommends the following foods to naturally treat your snoring.
Have More of These to Catch Quieter Zzzz’s
- Honey. This is the original anti-inflammatory medicine, and been a popular cure for a wide range of illnesses and injuries for thousands of years. Snoring causes your throat to swell and honey can help reduce it. Try sweetening your tea with honey before bedtime to relax the muscles in your throat.
- Tea. Drinking tea is a great way to decrease your congestion and phlegm. Chamomile, mint, and even decaffeinated green teas prepared with honey and lemon work as decongestant, thereby relieving your snoring.
- Olive oil. Saturated fats promote acid reflux, making it easy for you to experience heartburn. The excess burning results in inflammation, which can ultimately make your snoring worse. Instead of reaching for butter, margarine, or shortening the next time you cook, think about switching to extra virgin olive oil.
- Soy milk. Even if you’re mildly lactose sensitive, drinking cow’s milk can cause problems with your nasal passages. Cow’s milk has certain proteins that can produce congestion and mucous, which increases snoring. Drinking soy or lactose-free milk is a better alternative.
- Fish. Red meat is also an inflammatory food. Try reducing the amount of red meat you consume and eat more fish like tuna and salmon to both protect your hearth-health and sleep soundly.
Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep from Your Livonia Dentist
It’s amazing how certain foods can really affect your sleep. Your 48154 dentist recommends adding more of these to your diet to promote a healthy, snore-free night’s sleep. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. You can also visit our website to view a full listing of our services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.