Acupuncture, as a part of traditional Chinese medicine culture, is considered a unique method for treating various diseases, including snoring. By stimulating specific acupoints to regulate body functions, acupuncture can indeed bring relief to some snoring patients. However, its effectiveness is influenced by individual differences, especially for severely ill patients, acupuncture may have little effect and requires long-term adherence, limiting its wide applicability. Therefore, before considering acupuncture as a treatment for snoring, it is best to seek professional advice and choose the most suitable treatment plan.
Traditional medication therapy is a common way to deal with snoring, especially in the early stages of the condition, following medical advice on medication can sometimes lead to a cure. However, it is important to be cautious, long-term reliance on medication may not be an ideal choice. If the treatment progress is not significant, timely re-examination and exploration of other treatment options should be considered.
Surgical treatment, as an option after medication failure, despite its relatively direct efficacy, is accompanied by discomfort such as pain, which makes some patients hesitant.
When attempting self-acupuncture, it is beneficial to focus on several key acupoints: Feishu acupoint located beside the third thoracic vertebra on the back, Tianzhu acupoint at the central depression of the neck, Guanyuan acupoint four fingers below the navel, Fenglong acupoint at the midpoint between the lateral eye of the knee and the outer ankle, and Zusanli acupoint on the calf. Correctly identifying and stimulating these acupoints may help alleviate snoring.
In addition to acupuncture, there are several simple lifestyle adjustments and natural therapies worth trying: chewing fresh spring onions daily, drinking water infused with Sichuan peppercorns, chewing almonds finely, and taking specific Chinese herbal formulas such as Gentian and Angelica sinensis infused water, these methods have shown some effectiveness in some individuals. Additionally, some people use simple mouth rinsing techniques to reduce snoring.
Improving snoring also requires attention to daily habits, such as avoiding excessive daytime fatigue, engaging in relaxation activities before bedtime, sleeping on your side, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding the use of stimulant medications, and maintaining a healthy weight, all of which help reduce airway obstruction and consequently alleviate snoring issues.
In conclusion, snoring should not be overlooked, as it may be a sign of health issues. Adopting appropriate treatment methods, combined with adjustments to healthy lifestyle habits, is a key step towards achieving healthy sleep.
