Heavy Snoring & Apnea Linked to Brain Problems; 7 Snoring Aids & Remedies

People with sleeping disorders, such as heavy snoring and apnea, are more likely to develop mental decline earlier, according to a new study.

However, the study revealed that those who treat their sleeping disorder with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may delay cognitive impairment, as reported by Reuters.

The U.S. study published in the Neurology journal says that breathing disruption, especially during sleeping, can affect the brain.

"We didn't' find that snoring causes dementia," according to Dr. Ricardo S. Osorio, lead author from The Center for Brain Health at NYU School of Medicine in New York.

"We found that in those people that reported that they had sleep apnea, and were not treating it, the age of decline was earlier."

Apnea is a sleep disorder common among older people. It affects approximately 53 percent of men and more than 26 percent of women. Osorio and his team studied the medical histories of some 2,000 people aged 50 to 90 years old who were enrolled in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Some of the participants suffered from sleep apnea and were asked about their snoring. They were then reevaluated every six months.

The researchers found that people who were disrupted in their sleep brought about by breathing disorders developed mild cognitive impairment 10 years earlier than those without sleep issues. The good news is that people who treated their apnea with CPAP or other sleep therapies have a delayed mental impairment by 10 years, according to WebMD.

Here are seven snoring aids and remedies to get that deeper and better quality sleep.

1.) Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

CPAP is a noninvasive treatment for those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The machine comes with a mask to wear over the nose or face. The pressurized air helps the person breathe more easily during sleep, according to WebMD.

2.) Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliances can help stabilize the tongue and lower jaw while also repositioning the tongue, soft palate, and uvula to minimize the obstruction of the airway during sleep. These plastic devices can be used in combination with other treatments for sleep breathing disorders, according to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

3.) Nasal Dilators

According to About.com, nasal dilators help improve breathing during sleep by opening the nasal passage. There are two types: one that opens the nostrils externally and another that dilate the nostril internally.

4.)  Open Nasal Passages

A good way to unclog nasal passages is using a salt-water solution through a neti pot or a hot shower before bed, according to WebMD.

5.) Humidify the Room

Dry air contributes to snoring because it dries out the throat and nasal membranes, which leads to the vibrating of the tissues. You can buy a humidifier to add moisture in the air, according to Everyday Roots.

6.) Raise the Head During Sleep

Raising the head position during sleep can help keep the tongue from blocking the throat, thereby preventing the obstruction of the airways. Raising the head at about four inches or so using blocks of wood or thick books would be sufficient.

7.) Clean the House

Cleaning the house, especially the bedroom, can eliminate irritants that may block the airways. Allergens like pollen, animal dander, dust, and many others could contribute to congestion that leads to snoring.