<p>My husband is a big snorer. He might have sleep apnea too, but he certainly does “snort” himself partly awake frequently. Of course, it affects my sleep too, but I’m more worried about the effects on him. He is tired most of the time and I’ve heard the heart can be affected too. I know about sleeping on his side, which he often does, not drinking alcohol and he’s not a drinker. I’m pretty sure I won’t get him to use any big equipment. I have suggested a sleep study in vain. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>My DH did that also. When I finally demanded he get a sleep study (yes, it took an argument - a big one actually) and he went in, he was frightened when told how low his oxygen saturation levels went during his apnea episodes. This is dangerous for the heart. He now uses the CPAP and can’t believe how much better he feels. Good luck. It was painful getting him to the first appointment but I’m glad I did. He thanked me later.</p>
<p>CPAP is my answer as well. I’ve used it every night for 4 years and both of us sleep better! </p>
<p>My only suggestion is to raise the head of the bed, which may help, or sleep in separate rooms.</p>
<p>Good lucl.</p>
<p>If there is really nothing wrong with your husband and he just snores…get earplugs. Best investment I have ever made!</p>
<p>Sleep apnea increases the risk of strokes as well as heart problems.</p>
<p>If your husband is overweight, losing weight can improve it significantly.</p>
<p>“If your husband is overweight, losing weight can improve it significantly.”</p>
<p>This was the solution in our family :)</p>
<p>If he won’t wear a CPAP, have him talk to your dentist. I had a sleep study that revealed mild apnea. They recommended a CPAP, but I knew in my soul I would not be able to get comfortable with it (some people use them religiously and love them; others use them for awhile, hate them, and quit using them). I talked to my dentist who fitted me with a custom-made device that thrusts my lower jaw out far enough to substantially reduce snoring. D.H. says it greatly minimizes my snoring on most nights. Cost was around $600+.</p>
<p>He should:</p>
<p>Sleep on his side, not back.</p>
<p>Lose weight if he is at all overweight.</p>
<p>Have a sleep study done!</p>
<p>My son, who is NOT overweight, has always snored a bit, but wasn’t sleepy or crabby during the day time. When he started college his roomates told him he was snoring a LOT. He was increasingly tired and crabby during the day, and starting to have a hard time concentrating. He told a fraternity brother about it. The brother told him his symptoms sounded just like his own symptoms of what had been diagnosed as sleep apnea. At this point my son finally told US (why would we ever be the first to know anything?) He had a sleep study done, and was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, due to naturally narrow nose and throat passages. He was fitted for a mouthguard (expensive, covered by insurance), and it has made a world of difference.</p>
<p>Thanks–I am taking notes!</p>
<p>You could try breathe right nasal strips. It’s helped me but I have allergies so nasal steroids help also.</p>
<p>A writer for Slate did a test. He found the best solution was a tennis ball in the back that prevented him from sleeping on his back.</p>
<p>Is the snoring sudden or recent? It might be a sinus infection too. Everyone I know that started using a CPAP hated the idea at first and resisted but once they started wonder why they waited. If he won’t listen, maybe a visit with your financial planner and adding a lot of life insurance will motivate him…</p>
<p>My son, a senior in high school, also was snoring lightly and having problems staying awake after a good nights sleep - participated in a sleep study and was diagnosed with mild apnea. He is not overweight and is very active but has HUGE tonsils. Doctor recommended a tonsilectomy but after research discovered it would interfere with his trumpet playing for a while so put that off until after graduation (competitions/performances). if he still needs it by then. However, they did fit him for the mouthpiece which he’s been wearing ever since and does not snore at all and appears to be well rested (usually).</p>
<p>My DH, who claims he doesn’t snore, will stop if I gently massage his chest while he’s sleeping.</p>
<p>I have read that humming will also cause a snorer to stop but I haven’t tried that one.</p>
<p>attach a tennis ball to his back to force him to sleep on his side or preferably on his stomach.</p>
<p>DH had the device from the dentist, but it made his jaw hurt. He went and had a sleep study and found he has sleep apnea. Got a CPAP machine and LOVES it! He says he sleeps so much better now and feels rested instead of tired when he wakes up. Yes, sometimes it’s a pain, but he says feeling rested is worth it. And it travels with us on vacation!</p>
<p>Happydad had a sleep study and tried three different CPAP masks but couldn’t tolerate any of them. The sleep doctor wrote a prescription for the mouth gear, but I know the guy won’t tolerate that either. A trip to a more thorough ENT revealed not only the overdeveloped turbinates that the sleep doctor had found but also a seriously deviated septum. Surgery is scheduled for later this month, and my fingers are crossed. Even if this isn’t a complete cure, it may make the CPAP or mouth device tolerable because his nose will be fully functional.</p>
<p>I’m quite the snorer, too. Several years ago, I had frequent periods of waking during the night saying I couldn’t breathe. One night, my chest hurt so bad I went to the E.R. My initial EKG was abnormal so they ran all kinds of test. In the end, everything was okay, but a sleep study revealed mild apnea. I have severe claustrophobia and really tried so hard with the CPAP machine and different masks, but I just couldn’t do it. I did as one of my doctors suggested and sewed a tennis ball into the backs of several sleep shirts. It trained me to sleep on my sides. I do still snore at times and, after numerous bouts of chronic sinus infections, I am scheduled for sinus surgery on February 28th for a deviated septum, polyps, bone spur and completely blocked sinuses. I am hopeful that will help with the snoring, too. I hope your hubby’s surgery goes well, happymomof1.</p>
<p>H has this problem. In the last few years he has, twice, started exercising and lost 15-20 lbs.
I noticed that when his weight was below a certain threshold, he completely stopped snoring.
But then he would stop exercising and put the weight back on and start snoring (gasping, etc.) again. I would recommend exercise and weight loss if your H is overweight–even by a little. (And I hope you have better luck getting your H to exercise than I’ve had with mine)</p>
<p>My husband snores, not loudly, but enough that it keeps me awake. He is almost 6 feet tall and weighs under 140 pounds. He rides a bike at least 40-50 miles a week and exercises daily. Health is excellent. </p>
<p>I don’t think he has any extra weight to lose. And he exercises plenty.</p>
<p>This the earplugs…for me!</p>