Snoring Treatment: Surgery Vs Anti Snoring Sprays. Which is Better?

Are you tired of hearing your partner snore as you bury your head in the pillow at night? Well, you are not alone. Almost 50% of Americans suffer from the problem of snoring which hypothetically means the entire country is affected by it directly or indirectly. That’s because snoring does not only affect the person suffering from it but the people around too. Probably this is the reason people are ready to take drastic steps like undergoing the knife too, to curb the problem. But before we contemplate on which is the better of the two snoring treatments, let us first understand the reasons for snoring.

Causes of Snoring

Snoring is a condition when the air movement is restricted or obstructed by an elongated uvula, excess muscles in the throat. This could be due to many reasons such as:

• Excess fat in the body leading to extra tissue buildup in the throat.
• Relaxing of throat muscles due to sleep deprivation, tiredness, consumption of alcohol, etc.
• Uvula getting elongated and passage shrinking due to aging-related problems.
• Sinus and Congestion problems leading to obstruction in the passageway.

Treatment of Snoring

Now let us discuss the two treatments in question:

How Does Anti-Snoring Nasal Spray Work?

Anti-snoring nasal sprays are effective as they address nasal congestion, loose tissues in the throat by toning it and reduce inflammation in the airways. These sprays have active ingredients that reduce swelling, decongest and clear the mucus while lubricating the throat tissues to help you stop snoring. The decongestant nasal sprays reduce the inflammation inside the nasal passages, helping you breathe better while saline sprays rinse out the allergens, enhancing airflow.  A few nasal sprays have natural oils to moisten the throat tissue, toning and lubricating it so that vibration is reduced which helps you to stop snoring. However, efficiency varies as per individual and the cause for snoring.

Anti-Snoring Spray vs Surgery: Key Differences

Here are the differences between anti-snoring spray and surgery:

Anti-Snoring Spray:

• Non-invasive and fast acting snoring remedy
• Spray directly into the nostrils to tighten loose tissue. That reduces vibrations and stops snores.
• Nightly application provides temporary relief from mild/moderate snoring issues
• Suitable for snoring due to minor airway blockages, congestion and allergies
• Easy to buy over-the-counter and affordably priced

Surgery for Snoring:

• Invasive procedure that is done for enlarged tonsils and deviated septum to correct anatomical issues
• Provides permanent snoring solution, if snoring is due to anomalies
• Recommended for sleep apnea or heavy snoring issue
• Longer recovery time and has risks
• Need to consult with a sleep specialist or ENT
• Surgery is not recommended for everyone. Only decided after medical evaluation, cause of snoring and health condition

Cost Comparison: Surgery vs Snoring Spray

Although treatment costs money, there is a difference in the cost of buying snoring sprays and getting surgery done.  Here is the cost comparison:

• Over-the-counter nasal sprays cost around $15-$40 per bottle and lasts for at least 2 to 4 weeks, based on the usage. That adds to around $180 to $400 annually.
• You don’t have to consult with a doctor for a prescription nor are there any recovery expenses and time.

Surgical intervention

• These include LAUP, UPPP and other nasal surgeries to remove polyps, and correct physical anomalies. Such surgeries can cost around $3,000 to $8,000.
• Surgical costs include consultation, fees for the operation and recovery expenses.
• There are risks in every surgery and will take time to heal.

Surgery

Surgery is usually performed when the snoring problem is severe and leads to severe sleep apnea and when other treatments have completely failed. There are many types of surgeries available to treat snoring, and a doctor may be the best expert to advise on the type of surgery. However, the purpose of surgery is to do one or a combination of the following;

• Trimming the elongated uvula tissue
• Removing the excess tissue build up
• Repositioning of the muscles to clear the air passage
• Removal of Tonsils, etc.
• While surgery may solve the problem completely, there are quite a few risks involved in undertaking this form of treatment.

Anti Snoring Sprays

These are far less risky than the complicated surgical treatments. The anti-snoring sprays consist of compounds that lubricate the mucous membrane and tighten the tissues and muscles leading to unobstructed movement of air. These are taken orally, and the dosage may depend on the condition of the problem, and should be taken as per physician’s advice.

Which is Better?

Well, if there is a choice between the two, there is no doubt Anti-snoring sprays are much better as they are less risky than the complicated surgeries. Since these are taken orally, they do not require to be administered by a professional. Like eye or ear drops, these are taken from the mouth, and they can function perfectly to give you a snore-free night. However, if all the snoring treatments have failed and the problem has developed into a more severe sleep apnea, then it might be time to undergo the surgery.

Conclusion

Snoring treatment ranges from surgery to non-invasive methods such as snoring sprays, nasal strips, and mouth guards. Anti-snoring sprays offer an affordable and convenient method, especially if it is due to mild airways obstructions and nasal congestion. However, if the snoring is due to any physical anomalies such as enlarged tonsils, deviated septum or excess tissue in the throat, surgery might be the only option.

Surgical procedures carry risks and recovery time is high but offer long-term relief. However, the decision whether surgery or anti-snoring remedies is better depends upon your level of snoring, underlying cause, your age and health condition. The doctor will recommend the treatment based on these factors.