Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, March 18, 2017

THE GOOD LIFE

10

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 18, 2017 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO STOP SNORING


Dear Savvy Senior,

Over the past few years my 57-year-old husband’s 
snoring has gotten much worse. It’s to the point 
that I have to either wear earplugs or move to a 
different room. Any suggestions?

Sleep Deprived Susan

Dear Susan,

Snoring is a very common problem that often gets 
worse with age. Around 37 million Americans 
snore on a regular basis according to the National 
Sleep Center.

 Snoring occurs when the airway narrows or is 
partly blocked during sleep usually due to nasal 
congestion, floppy tissue, alcohol, or enlarged 
tonsils. But you and your husband also need to 
know that snoring can be much more than just an 
annoyance. It can also be a red flag for obstructive 
sleep apnea, a serious condition in which the 
snorer stops and starts breathing during sleep, 
increasing the risks of cardiovascular disease, 
stroke, cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension. 
According to the American Academy of Sleep 
Medicine, 34 percent of men and 19 percent of 
women who snore routinely have sleep apnea or 
are at risk for it.

 

Self-Help Remedies

Even if you are unsure whether your husband has 
a primary snoring problem or sleep apnea, sleep 
experts suggest you start with these steps.

 Open a stuffy nose: If nasal congestion is 
causing your husband to snore, over-the-counter 
nasal strips such as Breathe Right may help. Or, if 
allergies are the cause, try saline nasal sprays. 

 Elevate his head: Buying a foam wedge to 
elevate his head a few inches can help reduce 
snoring, or buy him a contoured pillow to lift his 
chin and keep the tongue from blocking the back 
of his throat as he sleeps. Also check out Nora 
(smartnora.com), a wireless snoring device that 
slides under the pillow and gently moves the head 
to a different position when snoring is detected. 
This, they say, stimulates the relaxed throat 
muscles and opens the airway. 

 Sleep on side: To prevent back sleeping, which 
triggers snoring, place a pillow against your 
husbands back to keep him from rolling over or 
sew a tennis ball in the back of his pajama shirt. 
Or check out the Night Shift Sleep Positioner 
(nightshifttherapy.com), a device that’s worn 
around the neck that vibrates when you roll on 
your back. 

 Avoid alcohol before bed: Alcoholic beverages 
can relax the muscles in the throat, and constrict 
airflow. He should not consume alcohol three to 
four hours before bedtime. 

 Lose excess weight: Fat around the neck can 
compress the upper airway and impede airflow 
and is often associated with sleep apnea.

 

Quit smoking: Smoking causes inflammation in 
the upper airways that can make snoring worse.

 

Need More Help

If these lifestyle strategies don’t make a big 
difference, your husband should see his doctor, a 
sleep specialist, or an otolaryngologist who may 
recommend an overnight study to test him for 
apnea.

 For primary snoring or mild to moderate sleep 
apnea, an oral appliance that fits into the mouth 
like a retainer may be prescribed. This shifts the 
lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping the airway 
open. 

 Some other options are Theravent snore therapy 
(theraventsnoring.com) and Provent sleep apnea 
therapy (proventtherapy.com), which are small 
nasal devices that attach over the nostrils to 
improve airflow.

 But the gold standard for moderate to severe 
sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway 
pressure, or CPAP, device. This involves sleeping 
with a mask and is hooked up to a machine that 
gently blows air up your nose to keep the passages 
open. 

 If these don’t work or are intolerable, surgery 
is an option too. There are procedures available 
today that remove excess tissue in the nose, 
mouth, or throat. And a newer procedure called 
hypoglossal nerve stimulation that uses a small 
device implanted in the chest to help control 
the movement of the tongue when it blocks the 
airway.

 Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, 
P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit 
SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to 
the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy 
Senior” book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …March Birthdays*

Clare Marquardt, Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella Guttman, Viky Tchatlian, 
Mary Cooper, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, Joan Crow, Nancy Fox, Martha Cassara, Rita 
Johnson, Mercedes Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, Carol Cerrina, Amy 
Putnam, Sally Contreras 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required

...................................................................

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to join. 
May be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games: Thursdays, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m., improve your memory and strengthen your 
brain. Activities facilitated by Senior Volunteers.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesdays from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is 
available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. 
Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m. 

Tax Assistance: Every Wednesday beginning on February 1st through April 12th from 1:00p.m. 
to 2:00p.m. - Don Brunner is available for income tax consultation. Appointments are required by 
calling 626-355-7394.

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. 3rd Monday of each 
month, a variety of balance exercises are practiced. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! 

*A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required.

Case Management: Case Management services are provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in 
a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park House 
Office at 626-355-7394.

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some free 
birthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club.

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in a poker game. 
Other games are offered to all. Please note time change. 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This 
energetic class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All class materials are provided.

Stress, Resilience, Positivity: Finding Balance - by The Kensington Sierra Madre Four Tuesdays, 
March 7 - 28th from 2:00 - 4:00p.m. Register by calling 213-821-6919 or 213-821-6908. 



SENIOR EXCURSIONS

 MARCH EXCURSION

 ***Save the Date***

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

Date: Thursday, March 30, 2017

Time: 9:15a.m. to 2:30p.m.

Meeting Location: Hart Park House

Cost: $20.00 (Not Including Lunch)

Description: Get up close and personal with the stunning theaters and spaces. The docent-lead tours 
take visitors through much of the interior space and throughout the gardens while presenting the 
highlights of the architecturally stunning building. Please Note: Tour does not include the

auditorium due to the constant rehearsal and performances. Lunch will be on your own near

Union Station or Olvera Street. Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs.

Final registration date is Monday, March 20th.

Level of walking: High;

APRIL EXCURSION - SAVE THE DATE

 Tanaka Farms Strawberry Tour (Irvine)

 Date: Thursday, April 27th

 Time: 9:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.

 Meeting Location: Hart Park House

 Cost: $20.00 (Not including Lunch)

 

Come experience a real working farm in the heart of Orange County. Tour includes a guided wagon 
ride around the 30-acre Farm. Learn about and sample different fruits and vegetables in season. Pick 
and eat fresh, juicy strawberries. You will be given a one-pound container to fill with berries. Things to 
consider:

- Wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

- The farm is not handicapped accessible; and wagon rides on dirt

roads will be bumpy.... and lots of bending to pick berries.

- Bring your sack lunch to eat at the picnic tables.

- Spending money is optional for market shopping.

Level of walking: Medium – High.

Please call the Hart Park House for reservations at 626-355-7394.


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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com