Nasal Breathing Aids

[[old] JosephNovak]

I've been waking up with dry mouth and more than my share of tonsilitis (not to mention a cranky wife) lately, the tell tale signs of the mouth breather. I've been using BreathRight nasal strips and a *** DELETE - SPAM *** with no effect. Anyone have alternative methods?<br><br>Gasping in Delaware

[[old] bw1099]

A CPAP works well, but you need to be diagnosed with sleep apnea to get one. You wear a mask and it blows air in through your nose, which keeps your throat unobstructed.

[[old] Paul S]

There is a new procedure called the Pillar Procedure that involves inserting three small plastic strips to help stiffen the soft pallate. It is done during an office visit with only a local. For most people normal activity can be resumed the same day.<br>There is an 80 % success rate.<br><br><a href='http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/surgery/a/Pillar.htm' target='_blank'>http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/surg ... r><br>Paul S - 64<br>

[[old] chudwell]

I knew that I was a snorer, but didn't realize that I had a border line case of apnea as well. I got a sleep study done (overnight in a dr. office). The test results were pretty compelling. I had to do something.<br><br>The Pillar Procedure sounds like a wonderful idea. I do not want the surgery. Talk to anybody that had it, recovery is awful, and isn't as helpful as you might hope.<br><br>On the other hand, I am also very claustraphobic, and it took me 3 months to sleep completely through the night with a CPAP. Now it has been just over 1 year, and it's a piece of cake. <br><br>A small additional component is available for the CPAP to apply cool or warm water vapor. I used the cool one at first, but when I travelled without the water component I found that the benefit was very small and didn't want the hassle of maintaining the water device (filling/cleaning). <br><br>Good luck. If you go the CPAP route, contact me for morale support.