Snoring is a very serious problem, especially when accompanied by sleep apnea. Anyone suffering from it should probably see a sympathetic physician.

My problem was so bad that for several months my wife and I could not sleep in the same room. That put a crimp in our sex life and meant that we could not travel (unless we were willing to pay for two hotel rooms!). After visiting a sleep clinic at the recommendation of my physician, I also discovered that I had mild sleep apnea. What to do?

Surgery, for me, was out: too much pain, too many complications, no guarantees of success.

CPAP was also considered only as a last resort because it is hard to get used to and because the wheezing machine would keep my wife awake.

I opted for a custom-fitted mouthpiece, a "snore-guard," that my dentist created to keep my lower jaw slightly forward. After a 2-3 nights, I found that I could sleep without being bothered by it. My snoring stopped, and my breathing improved. I felt rested in the morning because I was getting sufficient oxygen. My wife rejoined me in our bedroom. And because of the custom fit, I don't look like a total monster, although kissing requires removing it! Cost: about $250.

This solution won't work for everyone, since the causes of snoring are many. But it might be worth a try.