The column on “Why does my husband stop snoring when I nudge him?” is accurate based on personal experience, but should have included some additional information and advice.
Snoring can be an indication that an individual has “Sleep Apnea” a potentially dangerous disorder. Many individuals who snore actually stop breathing while they sleep. The spouse or partner of a snorer should use a tape recorder to document snoring patterns. This recording will provide a physician with sufficient information to determine if the patient should be evaluated at a sleep clinic.
Personally, I chose to go with the CPAP mentioned in the column, as opposed to surgery. Surgery in many cases is not a permanent solution depending on the underlying cause(s).
AFter $5000 worth of sleep studies, etc., I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have been using a CPAP machine for a month now and I feel like an entirely new human being. Yes, it’s anecdotal, but it works.
Folks, if you snore badly, go see a doctor about it. It literally could save your life. My blood pressure has dropped 30 points in the last month.
Absolutely, but it can also just be really annoying snoring
I don’t have sleep apnoea, just snore a lot, and I’ve had relief (well, my wife has) using a mandibular advancement device (MAD), it’s a bit like a mouthguard that you use in football, pushes the lower jaw forward enough to stop the soft parts at the back of your mouth rattling during the night.
You can get them custom fitted by a dentist for a lot of money, or there are ones you can mold yourself for less money- mine came from http://www.stopthatsnoring.com.au and it’s been great.
But as noted, actual sleep apnoea is a different thing, and an MAD is unlikely to be enough.
Cecil’s information about surgery is old hat.
They do not remove tissue these days, but implant stiffeners to keep the palate from sagging.
There is a picture here http://www.wtmg.com/article_tcv_072407.html
They insert tiny sticks. Quick and easy.
Even though I snore like the bean sidhe, and went to a somnography clinic (read sleep clinic) :o to be diagnosed, I have mere mild apnea. However, whether I don’t sleep as deeply or the oxygenation improves that much, I am always better rested if I put up with wearing the Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine my insurance fortunately paid for. A CPAP device saves lives, not only the user but all those other drivers they could have whacked into!
The best and first thing to help with snoring is assure you are not overweight. Sleep apnea is most prevalent in obese men, if I recall correctly.
I LOVE STRAIGHT DOPE!
After a sleep study that indicated signficant sleep apnea, trying and rejecting CPAP, and consulting with a physician (sorry, it’s long ago enough that I don’t recall his specialty, but I believe that he was an ORL who specialized in apenea) and discovering that surgery was not an option (would have required removal of my tongue – as I said, not an option), he recommended a MAD.
I had one made by a dentist who specialized in such things, and a subsequent sleep study showed that it was quite effective.
