Couple Finds Snoring Relief With OTC Device

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — It's a problem that affects 60 percent of people at some point in their lives: snoring.

CBS2's Lisa Sigell reports now there's a new option for those seeking some silence - and you don't have to see a doctor to get it.

Cheryl Belfer has lived with her husband Milt's snoring for over three decades, but never showed him how bad until we asked her to take some video of his not-so-silent nights.

"It's like a freight train coming throughout the bedroom," said Cheryl. "It's almost like...I can't believe a human can produce those sounds."

Milt said he has tried to stop snoring using various methods, including even getting a mouthpiece at one point - but nothing worked until recently when a new over-the-counter treatment became available.

It's called Theravent, an FDA-approved treatment that sleep specialist Ron Popper says patients call a "miracle".

Here's how it works: before Milt goes to bed, he puts this patch on over his nostrils that has a valve-like flap that creates just enough pressure to keep the airway open while he sleeps.

"With Theravent, 50 percent of people have no snoring and probably 80 percent have reduced snoring," said Dr. Popper.

But the doctor warns consumers to be careful you're not masking a more serious problem, since snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a life-threatening condition which causes people to repeatedly stop breathing at night.

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, a C-Pap machine is used, or Provent, a much stronger version of Theravent - but that takes a doctor to prescribe.

Theravent is sold online and in some doctor's offices. A two-week trial is free, and after that it costs $25 for a month's supply.

For more information, visit TheraventSnoring.com and SleepMD4U.com.