What is Snoring?
Snoring is quite a common problem and almost everyone above the age of 15 snores while sleeping at one point or the other. Snoring scientifically is stated to occur due to vibrations in the upper respiratory tract. This generally happens when the airway becomes narrow or there is an obstruction blocking the path of air flowing through it.
Snoring is believed to occur in more than 50% of the adult population of which 25% do it regularly. Snoring loudly and regularly can be quite irritating for a person’s partner who may not be able to sleep peacefully due to the irritating sound that snoring produces.[1, 2, 3]
There are many snoring remedies available. Mute is one option that aims to increase airflow and improve nasal breathing to reduce snoring. Snoring can be quite effectively controlled by a variety of home remedies and over the counter treatments. Among the various devices that are available for controlling snoring Mute is one such device. It is a nasal dilator which one can obtain over the counter that is believed to be quite effective in managing snoring by opening up the airways and allowing the air to pass through it fluidly.[1,2,3]
Once the airflow through the airways is more or less normal, the snoring automatically reduces. Generally snoring does not indicate that something is wrong with a person’s health; however, if it is too loud and disturbing and is accompanied by other symptoms then it is better to consult with a physician to identify a cause and start treatment for it. The article below gives a brief overview about Mute, its benefits and side effects, and who can use it.[1,2,3]
What is Mute?
As stated Mute is a nasal dilator device aimed at opening up the airways to reduce snoring. Mute also helps people to breathe more normally during sleep. The formal approval for the use of this device was given in 2014 by the FDA. The device just needs to be placed in the nostril and adjusted so that it is comfortable.[3]
Once completely inserted it will gently open up the airways and allow the person to breathe comfortably through the nose. It should be noted that Mute is a device and it has no medications or drugs in it. It is made of polymer and is safe to use.[3]
How Effective is Mute in Stopping Snoring?
The treatment for snoring ranges from simple home remedies to even surgery in some severe cases. However, to begin with, conservative options are chosen. These measures include use of nasal dilators like Mute. In a user trial 78% of people using Mute have reported improved breathing at night. It reports that 75% of people using Mute have reported a significant decrease in snoring and 73% reported a reduced severity of snoring. There are about 40% people who have reported better sleep quality after using Mute.[3]
Additionally, a study done in 2019 which analyzed the benefits of Mute and compared it to other devices made the observation that Mute significantly improved breathing and provided better quality sleep when compared to other devices. However, it should be noted that Mute is not a treatment option for people with sleep apnea and should not be used in such cases.[3]
How To Use Mute?
Mute comes in three sizes, namely small, medium, and large. The company provides a guide and based on the size of the person a perfect fit can be chosen. However, the company suggests that the small and medium size is best for females and medium and large size is best for males. To use the device, it needs to be inserted in the nose with one loop of the device going into each nostril. The device is designed in such a way that it is very similar to the natural curve of the nose.[3]
The device should be inserted all the way inside the nose and only the bridge of the device should be seen outside. In case of the device is loose or is coming out of the nose then the person can adjust it or go for a small size that will fit better. Once Mute is properly fitted in the nose, it starts to do its job and gently opens up the airways and thereby improving the quality of breathing of a person.[3]
What Are The Benefits and Red Flags For Mute?
Nasal dilators like Mute are extremely effective in cases where a blocked or narrowed airway is the cause of snoring. In fact, there are various studies that suggest that internal nasal dilators like Mute are more effective than external dilators in improving the quality of sleep and reducing snoring. The Mute website states that the device improves breathing at night. It also improves the flow of air through the airways. It also provides improved sleep quality and decreased incidences of severe snoring.[3]
People using Mute also mention that they do not have dry mouth on waking up in the morning that they previously used to have due to excessive snoring. Additionally, Mute is a pocket friendly device that is extremely effective. However, there are also certain red flags when it comes to using internal nasal dilators like Mute. It should be ensured that the person using the device is comfortable with it and does not have any discomfort with the nose.[3]
Since Mute is a device that will have to be placed overnight, the tubes that are present in it may at times cause skin irritation or soreness around the nose or inside it. Mute can also be a source of a problem if the size of the device is not proper like if it is too big then it will not fit and if too small will come out of the nostrils. This will make the device ineffective in both the cases. However, people should not be worried about any allergic reactions since the device does not contain any latex and is made of polymer.[3]
Who Is The Best Candidate For Mute?
Mute is best suited for those people who have problems with breathing through their noses during sleep. There are many causes as to why a person has problems with breathing through the nose when sleeping. Some of the conditions that can cause this include allergies, common cold, sinus infection, deviated septum, nasal inflammation, nasal polyps, and sometimes pregnancy.[3]
While studies have shown that nasal dilators like Mute are quite effective in reducing snoring and improving breathing but they are not effective for people with obstructive sleep apnea. People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea run the risk of developing serious conditions including heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes.[3]
A study in 2019 suggests some effectiveness in cases of obstructive sleep apnea if nasal dilators are used in combination with CPAP machines but this study lacks evidence and it is best to go and consult with a physician for treatment options in people with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea.[3]
Are There Any Alternatives For Mute?
Aside from nasal dilators like Mute, there are also a host of other options that a person has to reduce snoring and improve breathing. These include drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration. It is also important to manage the weight as being overweight can also result in increased snoring and decreased quality of sleep. It is also recommended to avoid any alcohol before sleep as it also is responsible for reduced sleep quality and snoring.[3]
There are also other devices available that can be alternatives to Mute. These include snore strips. These are available over the counter and are also nasal dilators.
However, these come under the category of external nasal dilators and work outside the nose to keep the airways open. There are anti-snoring devices also available in the form of mouthpieces that can be positioned around the jaw that will keep the muscles around it activated and prevent snoring.[3]
For people with obstructive sleep apnea, nasal dilators are ineffective and in such cases CPAP machines can be used to improve the quality of breathing. If snoring of a person is serious enough to cause disruptions in daily life then he or she can opt for surgery. The procedure will involve removing a tissue, nose reconstructive surgery, or placement of implants to prevent snoring.[3]
In conclusion, snoring is quite a common problem with many people experience. It is estimated that approximately 50% of adults around the world snore. Snoring is not only annoying for the partner or spouse but also decreases the quality of sleep of the person. This results in the person having problems during the day with feeling fatigued and not being able to focus on tasks. Snoring is caused due to blocked or narrow airways which interfere with the passage of air through the upper respiratory tract.[1,2,3]
However, if the obstruction or narrowing is addressed, then snoring can be controlled significantly. Among the variety of options and devices used for reducing snoring, Mute has gained popularity over time. It is an internal nasal dilator which gently opens up the airways and greatly improves snoring and improves quality of sleep.[1,2,3]
The device is easy to place within the nostrils and starts its work immediately after placing it. It does not have any drug or medications and is made of polymer which makes is non-allergic. However, it should be noted that this device is not suitable for people with obstructive sleep apnea since it will be ineffective. In other cases, Mute is an absolute safe and pocket friendly option for people who have problems with snoring and decreased quality of sleep.[1,2,3]
Also Read:
- What Causes Snoring & Ways to Stop it?
- Best Devices To Stop Snoring
- Can you Die from Snoring?
- Uvulectomy For Snoring: The Procedure And The Types
- Tongue, Mouth & Chest Exercises To Reduce Snoring
- Is Snoring A Disease?|Causes & Complications of Snoring?| How Can Snoring Be Managed?
- Do All Snorers Have Sleep Apnea&How To Identify Sleep Apnea Snoring?
