How to stop snoring

OK, so you snore. Your wife (it's usually a wife who complains about such things) can't sleep because you sound like a freight train coming through the bedroom.

And you go to your doc, who tells you that in addition to losing some of that weight (which you knew anyway) you need to have a sleep study. And maybe some nasal surgery. And when you relate the story at a family gathering, your brother-in-law starts telling you about his c-pap machine which helps him breathe better.

So are there natural remedies for your snoring? Here's one that's easy to use (you will find out literally within days if it's working for you), has no side-effects, and can't hurt you. And it costs $1.96 for maybe a year's supply. At least it did the other day, at Wal-Mart. That's just over half a cent a day.

The remedy is Vicks Vaporub. Well, not really Vicks: I buy the Wal-Mart generic brand. But either will do the job quite well.

Here's how to make this work. Rub a tiny (just a very thin layer) of the ointment on the skin above your upper lip. Put a bit around your nostrils, and another thin layer on your nose.

The Vicks people (and presumably the Wal-Mart people) don't sell these products with this remedy on the label. So they are not responsible for this idea. But I -- who used to snore my head off -- found that it worked almost immediately for me. I no longer snore, and I sleep much better.

A couple of other things will help. If you usually sleep on your back, try training yourself to sleep on your side. And if your neck is elongated, you'll be more likely to snore. So when you're going to sleep on your side, also try to rest your chin down a bit. This will sort of fold your body inward, and helps the snoring.

But the ointment will probably help all by itself. Give it a try and see if it works for you.

(PS ... If your bed is also a place for romantic activities, apply the ointment after the activities are completed. Your partner will probably not relish the smell. You have been warned. : )