DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 15 years, married for six. We have the best relationship. Everybody tells us how great we are together. We don't fight, and we support each other 100% with everything.
While my husband isn't overweight, he does go back and forth from going to the gym to work out and eating healthy, to stopping and putting the weight right back on. I honestly couldn't care less about the number on his scale. The problem is, he's a horrible snorer. It's awful! I usually end up moving to the couch in the middle of the night to get some sleep.
I have tried earplugs, headphones, you name it. He has tried the strips, the sprays, mouthguards, been to the doctor, everything. He always feels bad when he wakes up and finds me out of the bed. I've told him that it doesn't make me mad, I just get annoyed when I have to get up and go.
The only thing that seems to make a difference is when he loses weight. How do I tell him that if he lost some weight, he would snore less? I don't want to hurt his feelings. -- SLEEPING BADLY IN OHIO
DEAR SLEEPING BADLY: If you have observed that your husband snores less when his weight is down, tell him. It isn't hurtful; it would be helpful. You say he's been to see his doctor. Ask if he's been checked for sleep apnea. If there are long pauses between a sleeping person's breaths or gasping, it could be a symptom of sleep apnea, a condition that can be life-threatening. A diagnosis could be a lifesaver.