any tips or products for stopping snoring

Ted_Hutchinson

Thanks Ted, Hubby has severe sleep apnea and we are always on the look out for new products. He currently uses a C -Pap machine but is not any good if he has a cold or similar. Will need to give this a go.

The pillow link wasn't a personal recommendation but as it is backed up by the independent research it probably will work for some people. It would be helpful to others if anyone who tries the Sona pillow does post back irrespective of whether they find it helpful or not as it's quite expensive if it doesn't help at all.

I used to snore a lot but losing weight, together with cutting out caffine and alcohol in the evening has made a difference.

MimiJane

Generally, if you tend to wake yourself up snoring and make loud, spluttering, uneven noises (as opposed to "normal" snoring), there's a good chance it's sleep apnoea.  You will also feel yourself getting very tired throughout the day and most probably find yourself "dropping off" sporadically as you're not getting the sleep you need.  This is not necessarily related to weight, although losing some weight can in many cases make a difference.

CPAP's are just one of the many types of devices for pushing air up into the nasal passages.  If diagnosed, it depends on the type of apnoea you have as to what machine is recommended.  CPAP's are I believe the most commonly used nasal/facial "masks".

If nothing seems to work for you, I'd recommend visiting the doctor who may recommend an overnight sleep study at one of the specialist hosptitals throughout the country who, by monitoring you for one/a few nights, will be able to determine exactly what the problem is and what (if any)  treatment is needed.

Do not be put off by the descriptions of the CPAP ... yes they're loud and uncomfortable to use at first, but they'll most probably prolong your life and give you loads more energy throughout the day.

Having said all that, here's hoping it's just a case of loud snoring and you find an over-the-counter remedy that helps you.

shaz1000

Re. the last post - I went to my local general hospital for my overnight sleep study.
My CPAP machine is not loud at all and it is only the mask/headgear that can be uncorfortable - not the machine. I belong to a CPAP forum and many people say that it took them a long time to find a mask that was suitable for them.
Although there are several different types of CPAP machines e.g. some are automatic and only deliver air when needed and not all the time like mine, they all do basically the same thing. I would love to know what these other ways that you describe are, as I do not know of them. ???
CPAP works well for me.

Glad

I work on one of these units that have a specialist sleep apnoea ward,
we only use CPAP machines to deliver air into the nasal passage

MimiJane

Re. the last post - I went to my local general hospital for my overnight sleep study.
My CPAP machine is not loud at all and it is only the mask/headgear that can be uncorfortable - not the machine. I belong to a CPAP forum and many people say that it took them a long time to find a mask that was suitable for them.
Although there are several different types of CPAP machines e.g. some are automatic and only deliver air when needed and not all the time like mine, they all do basically the same thing. I would love to know what these other ways that you describe are, as I do not know of them. ???
CPAP works well for me.

Not all general hospitals do overnight studies ... people are often referred to specialist hospitals which can be some distance away.  You were obviously lucky.

As well as CPAP's, there are also different types of NIPPY machines ... these differ in as much as they do not deliver a continuous air-flow, but an interrupted air-flow.  It depends on what type of apnoea you suffer from and the severity of your condition.

The machines do make a noise (I suppose it depends on what you call "noisy") and can keep partners awake at night but, on the whole, people tend to get used to them.

I agree, the masks can be a problem initially and it can take some time and experimentation to find one that suits you.  Also, some people like the nasal masks and others prefer the full facial ones.

Savvy_Sue

Sona Pillow

Has anyone found this in the UK, or ordered and received successfully from the USA? I'm a bit leary of ordering from overseas in case there are problems.

Ted_Hutchinson

You might find it worth asking for further details about these
ebay PUTNAM KINGSIZE VISCO MEMORY PILLOW BRAND NEW which looks like it might be a copy of a SONA (compare with original link)

or this one which again is possibly a copy of the original however I'm only guessing. The original Sona link doesn't give an option for shipping costs out of US so you'd have to ask for a special quote anyway.

shaz1000

Re previous post
Not all general hospitals do overnight studies ... people are often referred to specialist hospitals which can be some distance away. You were obviously lucky.

As well as CPAP's, there are also different types of NIPPY machines ... these differ in as much as they do not deliver a continuous air-flow, but an interrupted air-flow. It depends on what type of apnoea you suffer from and the severity of your condition.

The machines do make a noise (I suppose it depends on what you call "noisy") and can keep partners awake at night but, on the whole, people tend to get used to them.


I was pointing out that not everyone has to go to a specialist unit.

Yes I have mentioned the automatic machines that only deliver the air when required, but what are all these other ways that you refered to ??

My old machine was very noisy, but my new machine isn't and my partner cannot hear it at all.

MimiJane

I have already covered these points in my post above and do not feel that reiterating my post and going into greater depth will help the OP. ::)

Glad

mimi
as someone who works on one of these units I'd be interested in hearing of the 'many types of devices for pushing air up into the nasal passages' you mentioned
I'm looking into the nippy one now but the more info you could give the better, we only use CPAP at the moment and are looking for alternative methods if they are more effective