Snoring
Snoring occurs in everyone at some time or another.  Snoring can significantly affect a relationship.  A tired spouse can get really irritated by a chronically noisy significant other.  A tired spouse becomes an irritable spouse.  An irritable spouse is quick to get even more upset by the snoring.  A downward spiral!  Once a couple starts sleeping in separate rooms,  there is significant danger to the future of a relationship.   Take snoring seriously.

25% of women snore, and 50% of men snore significantly.  If one snores to the point of disrupted breathing, one might be suffering from sleep apnea syndrome.  In this condition the airflow disruption is so great, that one doesn't get into a deep sleep, and one tends to fall asleep inappropriately during the day.  This is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.  Tests can be done as an outpatient to evaluate the possibility of sleep apnea, but definitive testing requires overnight inpatient evaluation.  Treatment consists of a positive pressure breathin machine and sometimes surgery.

Snoring is made worse with nasal congestion, with fatigue or sedatives, or when sleeping on one's back.

Nasal congestion can be helped with 'breathe-right' nasal patches which are little tapes that pull the nostrils apart.  Nasal congestion can be treated with steroid nasal sprays, salt- water nose drops, or Astelin spray, a topical antihistamine.  Afrin nose drops should not be used for more than five nights only, as they are highly addictive.

Any nighttime sedative, including alcohol, relaxes the palate and leads to increased throat snoring.

Weight gain increases the frequency and intensity of snoring.

Sleeping on the back increases snoring as the soft palate falls back into the throat.  Sewing a sock to the back of a t-shirt, and sticking a tennis ball in that sock at bedtime, prevents back sleeping. This 'snore-ball' technique works well and has saved many relationships.  After a few weeks, one no longer need the 'snore-ball', as one becomes conditioned to sleeping on the side.

There are many devices that pull the jaw forward while sleeping.  Many can be found on the internet, and some may be useful.

If all fails, laser surgery to remove the uvula, and shrink the soft palate is readily available as an outpatient.