You may have noticed that there appears to be a relationship between being overweight and snoring. As our weight increases, the sound of snoring also tends to increase. Snoring can be exasperated when sedatives such as alcohol are used.

You may be asking yourself “Why is this the case and will I stop snoring if I were to lose weight?”

Will Losing Weight Stop My Snoring?

The most common cause of snoring can be attributed to carrying excessive fat in the neck area. Men with a neck circumference greater than 17″ and women with a circumference greater than 16″ are at higher risk of being a snorer and possibly developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The neck is one of the many areas that we carry extra fat. Unfortunately, this is also the area in which air travels from the nose to your lungs through the airway. With extra fat surrounding the airway, pressure is exerted when we lay down. This pressure can squeeze the airway, causing a restriction. When a restriction occurs, the lining of the airway will vibrate against itself resulting in the sound of snoring.

Does this mean that only overweight people snore? No, although there is an undeniable correlation between the two.

There are actually other reasons why a person who is not overweight may snore, such as a having a nasal obstruction, deviated septum, or simply due to the anatomy of their airway.

Nonetheless, if you are overweight and have developed a snoring problem, simply losing weight might be enough to stop your snoring.

How Can I Tell If Losing Weight Will Help?

So you decided that carrying extra fat may be the cause of your snoring. How can you be certain that losing weight will solve your snoring problem?

While it would be nice to know the answer to this question, it’s actually not possible to know for sure until you give it a try.

It’s entirely possible that weight loss may not remedy your snoring problem. There are however several health benefits that you will gain from loss of weight including:

• Higher quality of sleep
• Less stress on joints
• Lower Blood pressure
• Improved mood
• Lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
• Increased energy

Even if weight loss doesn’t stop your snoring, you will look better and feel better as a result of your efforts.

How Much Weight Do I Need to Lose To See Results?

Are you considering weight loss as a means to stop snoring but don’t know where to set your weight loss goal?

You may be surprised to hear that losing only 10 lbs may be enough to notice a difference in snoring. Some experts suggest using roughly 5% of your body weight as a starting point.

Ultimately, you should aim for a BMI in the normal range which is less than 24.9%. There are several online calculators that can help to determine your BMI.

If you lose a few pounds and notice a reduction in snoring, you may decide to continue on with your weight loss journey until your snoring is eliminated.

What Else Can I Do to Stop Snoring?

You may have decided to combat your snoring with weight loss, but this can take several months. What do you do in the meantime to stop your snoring?

There are several snoring solutions available, some are more effective than others.

The easiest way to reduce snoring is to try sleeping on your side. If you are not able to remain on your side throughout the night, there are several “bumper” style products that can assist or simply fastening a couple tennis balls to the back of a nightshirt will do the trick.

Positional snoring is very common and sleeping on one’s side can relieve pressure that’s placed against the airway by extra fat.

Using a snoring mouthpiece can also effectively stop snoring. These mouthguards are placed inside of the mouth and hold the jaw forward, which helps to prevent airway collapse.

For years, sleep apnea and snoring sufferers have been prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Some patients do not tolerate CPAP treatment very well and are left with limited options to treat their sleep apnea.

Electrostimulation is a new treatment option that may soon provide relief to sleep apnea sufferers who are CPAP intolerant. This newer treatment is referred to as Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy or UAST.

As the name suggests, targeted electrical impulses are delivered which stimulate the airway to prevent an apneic event from occurring. How exactly does this work?

How Electrostimulation Works

Before understanding how electrostimulation works, you must first understand the cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. As we age, the muscles behind the tongue within the airway lose tone and become weak. This becomes more of an issue for those who are overweight.

While asleep, the tongue and jaw relax which reduces the diameter of the airway, causing a restriction. This restriction does not allow air to travel through the upper airway, to the lungs, and back out. The brain is deprived of oxygen and blood-oxygen levels fall.

The CPAP machine opens the airway using a stream of forced air.

With an electrostimulation device, a sensor is embedded into the chest which monitors breathing. This sensor delivers data to a processor which then sends an electrical impulse to the hypoglossal nerve which leads to the tongue. This surge of electrical energy stimulates the muscle surrounding the airway. This cycle continues with every breath.

The “shock” that’s delivered is not painful and usually goes unnoticed by patients.

A remote control allows the patient to activate the device before going to bed and deactivate it in the morning. A battery within the processor provides power and must be changed out approxmately every 10 years, much like a pacemaker.

Effectiveness Of Electrical Stimulation Therapy

A University of Pittsburgh study with 126 patients who were overweight with moderate to moderately severe OSA were studied for a 12 month period while using an implanted device. Participants were selected from across the US with 17% being female and 83% male.

The results, a notable decrease in apneic events was found while using electrical stimulation therapy. During treatment, 68% of those studied experienced a decrease in apnea-hypopnea while 70% saw an increase in their oxygen desaturation index score.

While this study was funded by the manufacturer, it was reviewed by an independent third party.

This study gives hope to those who are CPAP intolerant and are in need of treatment.

Will UAST Eventually Replace CPAP Therapy?

CPAP therapy has long been considered the “Gold Standard” for the treatment of sleep apnea and will likely continue to be prescribed for many years to come.

If the patient does not tolerate a CPAP machine very well, Oral Appliance Therapy is sometimes prescribed which uses a custom-made mouthpiece which holds the jaw forward and tightens the airway.

In the event both CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy both fail, UAST may be prescribed.

Electrostimulation and Snoring

While electrostimulation therapy has been studied primarily for the treatment of OSA, snorers may also benefit from the same type of technology.

Snoring and sleep apnea are closely related. The most notable difference between the two has to do with the degree in which the airway becomes restricted. With OSA, the airway often becomes quite restricted. When it comes to snoring an individual will experience airway resistance but the supply of oxygen is not completely stopped as with OSA.

Electrostimulation can help to reduce or eliminate snoring in the same way that it prevents sleep apnea.

Since the procedure is somewhat invasive and can be costly, it’s unlikely that insurance will cover electrostimulation for snorers.

Some over the counter products that deliver an electrical charge to snorers have appeared on the market in recent years. However, you should always proceed with caution if you decide to give one a try. Such devices do not directly target the hypoglossal nerve, have not been studied, and are potentially dangerous.

In a February 2018 press release, SnoreRx announced that they will be the first to sell an oral appliance over-the-counter without a prescription at CVS, the largest retail drugstore in the US.

This announcement comes only four weeks after Zyppah launched a crowdfunding campaign in which they also announced that they plan to soon offer their mouthguard prescription-free at a number of different retailers.

An oral appliance is a medical term that is used to describe what is commonly referred to as a snoring mouthpiece or snoring mouthguard. These devices are placed inside of the mouth and are designed to keep the jaw in the forward position which allows for unobstructed breathing and the elimination of snoring.

The History Of The Snoring Mouthpiece

In the 1980’s, oral appliances were custom fitted by dentists and were used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

In 1994, using the same principle as professionally fitted appliances, SnoreBan became the first self-fitted oral appliance that was sold specifically for the treatment of snoring without the presence of sleep apnea.

The industry remained largely stagnant until 2008 when suddenly an influx of products entered the market which were introduced with heavy advertisement spending. This brought awareness to an industry that received little attention in the past.

Since these oral appliances are classified by the FDA as a class II Intraoral Devices for Snoring and/or Obstructive Sleep Apnea, they are restricted and can only be purchased on the internet or from a dentist. This prevented many companies from expanding their reach to the retail level.

All of this changed in 2018. Fast forward nearly 25 years after the first snoring mouthpiece was introduced, the FDA seems as if they have loosened up the restrictions by allowing the sale of non-prescription mouthguards to the public. Such mouthguards have been available for sale in retail stores all across Europe for several years now.

While SnoreRx is the first manufacturer to make it to retail stores within the US, it’s only a matter of time before other manufacturers pursue retail shelf space alongside SnoreRx.

SnoreRx Now At CVS

Pricing

For many years, SnoreRx has been sold exclusively through their website for $99 plus the cost of shipping and handling.

At the time of the CVS launch, the price was cut 40% to $59.99. CVS offers free shipping on orders over $49.99, so purchasing the SnoreRx alone qualifies the order for free shipping, although you may still be subject to local taxes depending on the state in which you live.

It’s not clear if this is an introductory price or if CVS plans to continue selling the SnoreRx at this price. Their website currently suggests that $59.99 is the “regular” price.

Availability

According to the press release, CVS started carrying the SnoreRx at their store beginning March 2, 2018. This may be exciting news if you have been waiting for the SnoreRx to arrive at your local drug store.

However, at the moment, it appears as though CVS is only carrying the SnoreRx online and in limited supply at only some retail stores across the US. As of this writing, store inventory in most major cities is showing as “unavailable”.

Company president James Fallon offered a possible explanation within their press release as to why snore Rx is not yet widely available at all CVS stores:

“Production is being expanded and is working 24/7 to meet market demand; we hope to have SnoreRx available to all consumers by year end.”

Does SnoreRx Really Stop Snoring?

Several years back, I gave the SnoreRx try and wrote a review. Did it really stop my snoring? It did, along with nearly every other mouthpiece that I have tried. The truth is, nearly all snoring mouthguards work.

My SnoreRx review was originally published in 2013. Since then I have tested and reviewed over thirty different snoring mouthpieces. Needless to say, I have learned a bit along the way.

During this time period, a number of different mouthguards have become available, each with its own unique features. What was once a sleepy industry with few choices has now become a very competitive market with dozens of products to choose from.

With that said, I still believe the SnoreRx is a good product although I have found other mouthguards that are just as effective, more comfortable, and in many cases, more affordable.

You can find a list of mouthguards that I have personally tried and recommended to my readers here.

How Mouth Exercises Prevent Snoring

It’s estimated that up to 50% of Americans experience snoring issues which can disrupt quality sleep and can even lead to marital problems.

As a result of this growing epidemic, the snoring aid industry has boomed in recent years as entrepreneurs are looking to cash in on an opportunity to solve one of the worlds largest bedroom nuisances. It’s estimated that sleep is currently a $32 billion dollar industry which encompasses all types of snoring aids from CPAP machines to mouth guards and nasal dilators.

While there is certainly no shortage of expensive anti-snoring products to choose from, there is a shortage of information on how to stop snoring naturally without a product or medication. As they say, some of the best things in life are free, mouth exercises for snoring being one of them.

How exactly do mouth (Oropharyngeal) exercises help to prevent snoring?

Snoring is typically caused by airway tissues that become loose as we age. As years go by, we lose muscle tone in our throat. As a result, these airway tissues begin to flap against each other as air rushes past. This is how the sound of snoring typically occurs.

By strengthening the muscles surrounding the airway, you can reduce or even completely eliminate the sound of snoring.

How effective are mouth exercises when it comes to preventing snoring? Most experts agree that routinely performing mouth exercises can be somewhere between 30% – 40% effective.

Try spending fifteen minutes per day performing the following eight exercises while at home, on your daily commute, or while at work.

8 Exercises That Will Strengthen Your Airway Muscles and Prevent Snoring

Flat Tongue Press

• Place the tip of your tongue firmly against your lower incisors
• Press and hold your tongue against the bottom of your mouth
• Hold this position and then briefly relax before repeating
• Perform 2 sets of 10

Switch

• While eating, chew all of your food on one side
• Switch side every other bite
• Repeat throughout your meal

Palate Stroke

• With your mouth open, press the tip of your tongue firmly against your upper incisors
• Slowly move from front to back while keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth
• Perform 2 sets of 10. Take a short break between sets

The Chipmunk

• Using clean hands, place your index finger against your inner cheek
• Press outwards with your finger
• Use your cheek muscles to resist the force from your index finger
• Hold for 5 seconds and then release
• Repeat 10 times
• Switch to the other cheek and repeat

Raise The Roof

• Open your mouth widely
• Using suction, draw the entire tongue up towards the roof of your mouth.
• Hold for 5 seconds and release.
• Perform 2 sets of 10

The Doctor

• Look in the mirror, open your mouth and say “ah”
• Focus the movement of the rear of the throat
• Raise and hold this area for a few seconds
• Perform 2 sets of 10

Vowel Rehearsal

• Rehearse your vowels – A, E, I, O U
• Do so slowly while ensuring that you enunciate each letter clearly
• Spend two minutes cycling through your vowels
• While performing this exercise, focus on the movement of muscles within the mouth and airway

This Little Piggy

• Open your mouth and stick out your tongue as far as it will go
• Take a deep breath
• Create a high-pitched squeal while letting the air out over thirty second
• Repeat four times

How Long Before I Notice Results?

The question that everyone asks: How long do I have to perform these exercises before I see results?

The answer is – it depends.

It depends on your age and just how loose and worn your airway muscles are. In general, you should notice an improvement in snoring within the first 4 weeks of performing these exercises. Some may see results sooner, while others may not notice any difference until after 4 weeks.

If you have been performing these exercises daily for several weeks and your snoring remains the same, it’s likely that the mouth exercises are not going to work and you will need to experiment with an anti-snoring product such as a mouth splint or a tongue stabilizer. These products are relatively inexpensive (typically cost under $100) and are greater than 70% effective. Many come with a trial period which includes a money back guarantee.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.25 Star Rating

All About the Casper Pillow

What Makes Casper Pillow Unique?

Casper Retails at $55 for a queen pillow and $65 for a king

In the olden days, if you wanted a higher end pillow, you would visit Macy’s, Sears, or a number of other retail department stores and search for the most comfortable down feather pillow that you could find displayed on a shelf. It wasn’t long ago that there were only two pillow choices – down or polyester.

Today, there are more pillow options than ever. Each pillow is filled with a different material from memory foam to hyperelastic polymer. To make matters even more complicated, manufacturers are all making the same promise – their pillow will be the coolest and most comfortable pillow that you have ever slept on. While these claims sound promising, the truth is that not all manufacturers live up to their claims.

The Casper Pillow is a relatively new addition to the growing number of luxury pillows that are available on the market. It’s fairly unique because it combines two features that shoppers typically look for when buying a pillow. Many people are torn when it comes to choosing between a soft pillow and firm pillow.

Firm pillows offer the support necessary to keep your head, neck, and body supported and aligned while soft pillows provide a soft comfortable surface to lay your head on. The issue is, the shopper must choose between the two and often end up dissatisfied with their purchase because their pillow is either too soft or too hard. This is where Casper Pillow makes the decision easier.

The outer layer of the pillow contains a fine wispy synthetic fill which makes the pillow very soft to the touch. It’s said that these fibers are about 1/20th the thickness of human hair and the outer portion of this pillow contains billions of these fibers.

At the center is a pillow that is a bit firmer, containing a different type of synthetic material that’s denser than the outer layer. This layer provides support for the head. The cover which contains both layers is made from 100% Supima cotton. In essence, you are able to experience both firmness and softness at the same time.

Instead of having to choose between soft and firm, you get both with the Casper Pillow. It’s actually a pillow within a pillow.

100 Night Money Back Guarantee 

If you have ever been let down by a product that over promises and under delivers, you will be glad to know that the Casper pillow comes with a 100-night risk-free guarantee.

According to the company’s website, the return process is simple and straightforward. If within the 100 day period you decide not to keep the pillow, simply contact Casper customer support and request a prepaid shipping label which you will adhere to the box and drop off at the UPS store. Once received, you will receive a complete refund back to your credit card.

It’s good to know that Casper either recycles or donates their returns, so nothing goes to waste.

Is It Machine Washable?

You lay your head on the pillow every night. Oils, sweat, and dirt from your scalp make their way onto your pillowcase and ultimately into your pillow. Dead skin falls off and dust mites invade. Nobody wants oil, sweat, dirt, dead skin and dust mites hanging around their pillow.

There are two choices when it comes to maintaining a fresh pillow. You can either replace or wash it. In most cases, pillows are not machine washable, making replacement the only option.

While a pillowcase catches some of the contaminants, the remaining residue makes its way through the pillow case and into the actual pillow.

One nice feature of the Casper Pillow is the fact that the outer pillow is machine washable. Simply remove the pillowcase, unzip it and remove the inner pillow. The outer pillow and pillow case can be washed, so you can enjoy a clean pillow without having to replace it every couple of months.

How Much Does The Casper Pillow Cost? 

In order to take advantage of the 100-night guarantee, you will need to purchase the Casper Pillow directly from the company that produces it. The current price of one pillow is $55 for a standard size and $65 for the queen size. They offer free shipping on all orders which is a nice feature. Additionally, they occasionally offer promotional codes which makes this luxury pillow even more affordable.

You can find this pillow at retailers such as Target for about the same price.

When compared to other luxury pillows, Casper is priced slightly below average which makes this product appealing.

My Review of The Casper Pillow

When ordering the Casper pillow, my hopes were very high as the idea of a pillow inside of a pillow sparked my interest. The design seemed as if it would be functional and I liked the idea of having a pillow that is machine washable.

The pillow arrived in a plain box, which when opened revealed a colorful night sky display complete with stars. The pillow was gently nestled inside with a welcome card resting on top. The card contained information on the pillow.

After removing the plastic wrapping that covered the pillow, the first thing that I noticed is just how soft the pillow was.  The synthetic fibers that filled the outer layer of the pillow could not be any softer. I unzipped the pillow and noticed that the cover was stuffed with filler on both sides. Inside the pillow was the firmer inner pillow which was a bit smaller than the outer pillow. The inner pillow was still very soft, but noticeably firmer. The pillow smelled fresh with no foul manufacturing odors. I laid my head on the pillow and it sunk in, gently cradling either side of my head. I then tried to use the pillow on my stomach, side, and back. The pillow was comfortable, yet supportive in each position.

I slept with the Casper pillow over the next three nights and found it to be quite comfortable and supportive. It did provide just the right amount of support without compromising comfort. I did notice that the pillow required fluffing ever few days. The Casper Pillow lived up to all of its promises and is a product that I would recommend.

Pros: 

• Supportive yet soft
• Machine washable
• Affordably priced
• 100-day money back guarantee
• Good quality

Cons: 

• Requires periodic fluffing

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5 Star Rating

The Purple Pillow

Purple Pillow Retails for $99 + Free Shipping

Purple Innovations LLC, is a Utah based company that manufactures and sells products under the trade name “Purple”. Their product line is comprised of a pillow, seat cushion, mattress protector, sheets, and even a bed. Purple also manufactures and sells a standard bed base as well as an adjustable one.

Incredibly, the purple pillow weighs over 10 lbs and measures 24″ X 16″ X 3″. It’s advertised as the “The worlds first no-pressure bed for your head”.  Due to its design, the pillow stays cool because it’s breathable. The company claims that it’s a suitable choice for any sleeping position including side, back, or stomach.

What makes this pillow so special is the Hyper-elastic Polymer material which is arranged in what they refer to as a “Smart Comfort Grid”, a fancy name for their triangular honeycomb design.  The pillow contains a firm edge to provide support while being soft at the center to provide comfort.

The hyper-elastic polymer is coated with a polyethylene copolymer powder coating, which is non-toxic. The pillow cover is made from a blend of spandex, polyester, and Bamboo.

Purple pillow gently supports the head, allowing the neck and head to align properly with your spine.

This pillow promises to put an end to common issues associated with other pillows such as memory foam, polyester, and down feathers.

It’s worth noting that this pillow comes with a “booster”  which can be used to increase the pillow height. The Pillow itself arrives 3″ thick, which means that you will have to inflate this air bladder and insert inside of the cover, under the purple pillow to increase the height, if you desire. 

UPDATE: It seems as if Purple decided to discontinue the booster. Some suggest that there were too many deflation issues with the booster, which may be the reason why it’s no longer included.

Who’s Behind The Purple Pillow? 

The company was founded by brothers, Terry and Tony Pearce. Terry has a background in manufacturing and design while his brother Tony has a background in aerospace materials.

In the early 1990’s the duo created a product called Floam, a cushioning material that was originally designed to assist wheelchair users with pressure sores. The product was a success and it was eventually used by manufacturers such as Nike, Johnson & Johnson, Top0-Flite, and Hill-Rom.

The brothers didn’t stop there. They wanted to develop an effective cushion product at an affordable price. They eventually invented a stretchable material called Hyper-Elastic Polymer which is stretchable, durable and will return to its original shape after pressure is removed. This material was molded into a triangle honeycomb type shape and was eventually licensed to a number of other companies including Jansport, Dr. Scholl’s, Styker Medical, and others.

It wasn’t until 2013 that the brothers used this Hyper-elastic polymer material to create a bed. Creating a sheet of material large enough to span the width of a bed was a challenging task because at the time no machinery had existed to do so, but the Pearce’s were up for the challenge.  Two years and millions of dollars later, they had created a machine that could do so.

In 2015 they pitched the idea on Kickstarter and raised $171,000 within 45 days. This campaign introduced the Purple bed, mattress topper, and seat cushion.

The following year, they launched another Kickstarter Campaign for their Purple Pillow. This time they were able to raise an incredible $2.6 million.

While their bed and pillow are their two most popular products today, this review is going to focus on the pillow exclusively.

What Are Others Saying About The Purple Pillow? 

Being such a popular pillow, it’s not difficult to find hundreds of reviews scattered across the internet. Before purchasing, I took a look at what was being said and found the reviews to be somewhat divided between those who love their Purple pillow and those who were not satisfied with their purchase.

For those who were not satisfied, the number one complaint had to do with the air booster which at one time came with the pillow. According to several reviewers, the booster seems to lose air after using it for only a few nights. Several who have used the booster complained of having to inflate it repeatedly throughout the week.

Many have contacted Purple customer support who gladly sent them a replacement free of charge. Others claim that their customer service representative suggested stuffing a pillow or towel inside in order to increase the pillow height. In general, this advice was not very well received by the reviewer.

In addition to the booster issue, there were a few complaints about the white powder inside of the pillow. After doing a little research, it seems as if the white powder is used during the manufacturing process and is not cleaned off prior to being sold.

It’s said that it’s a non-toxic polyethylene powder which doesn’t seem to escape the pillow enclosure that the polymer is encased in.

Aside from these two complaints, the majority of reviews seemed to be positive in nature.  Most who have purchased this pillow seem to agree that it provides great support and a restful night’s sleep. Several reviewers said that they prefer the feel and support of the Purple Pillow over any memory foam pillow that they have tried in the past. Some claim that they no longer wake up with a sore or stiff neck as they had experienced before.

Money Back Guarantee 

One very desirable feature of this pillow is the fact that it comes with a 100 night 100% money back guarantee.

Other pillows on the market offer a similar guarantee with one catch – you are required to pay return shipping which means that in the event that you are not satisfied with your purchase, you will have to send the product back at your expense. Return shipping on a pillow this size and weight can cost up to $20. The cost of return shipping often deters buyers from returning the product.

The Purple guarantee allows you to return the pillow free of charge and receive all of your money back within 100 days of purchase. If you are not satisfied, you literally have no money to lose.  I have yet to see a pillow company that offers such a generous guarantee.

How Much Does The Purple Pillow Cost? 

The cost of the Purple Pillow is fairly consistent regardless of where you purchase it.

It can be purchased directly from the company or Amazon for $99 with free shipping. While the Amazon 2 day Prime Shipping is a nice feature, there is one thing to consider before purchasing through Amazon.

Purple advertises a 100-day money-back guarantee. Amazon will allow you to return your purchase for up to 30 days. Buying directly from the manufacturer allows you an additional 70 days to return your purchase if you are not satisfied, which is a good reason to order directly from the manufacturer.

My Experience Testing The Purple Pillow

While I typically review snoring mouthpieces, the Purple Pillow captured my interested, so I had to give it a try. I’m always up for a good night’s rest and anything that helps is always a welcomed addition to my home.

After taking a look around, I was not able to locate the pillow locally, so I had to order it online.

When the package arrived at my doorstep, I was somewhat surprised that the box weighed almost as much as a bowling ball!  I opened up the package and found the Purple Pillow inside.

Before putting it to use, I took a close look at it and was satisfied with the quality of the product that I had received. The pillow liner was soft to the touch and seemed well made with a U-shaped zipper that allowed me to access the interior.

Inside, I found the Smart Comfort Grid which was jelly-like and sort of fun to play with. It did have a somewhat firmer outer ring while the rest of the pillow was soft. There was a white powder inside which was not a concern of mine. For those who are concerned about the powder, I would suggest rinsing it off and allowing to air dry prior to use.

I zipped the pillow back up and tossed it inside of a pillowcase before laying my head down.

I noticed at first that my head did not raise up as high as I would like, so I added a couple folded towels inside the pillow at the bottom in order to achieve the desired height. After a few adjustments, the pillow was just right. It supported my head nicely and felt great!

Bedtime was still a few hours away, so I placed the pillow at the head of my bed and awaited my retirement for the evening.

Over the next 3 nights, I tested out the Purple Pillow and found that it provided just the right amount of support and remained cool and comfortable as advertised. I was able to sleep on both my back and side comfortably and with no issues.

The only complaint that I have with this pillow is the fact that you must prop it up in order to make it higher. It would be nice if they manufactured it an inch or two higher so that you don’t have to add anything to increase the height. Otherwise, I give this pillow an excellent rating.

Purple pillow offers a unique design that is like no other and provides an alternative to memory foam or feathers. If you would like a cool, comfortable pillow that doesn’t collapse and will not need to be replaced every few months, I would recommend this product. If you are unsure, you can always give it a try and request a full refund if it doesn’t work out.

Pros:

• Unique patented design is like no other
• Made in The USA
• Does not go flat like a traditional pillow
• Provides excellent support
• 100-day full money back guarantee
• Eliminates the need for fluffing
• Priced similar to other luxury pillows

Cons:

• Additional support may be necessary to achieve the desired height

☆☆☆☆☆ 4 Star Rating

My Pillow Retails for 2/$79.98

If you have watched television or turned on the radio anytime in the past four years, odds are you have heard about the “My Pillow” at least once. The commercial is difficult to ignore – a middle-aged man with a raspy voice, dyed hair, a push broom stache, and a silver cross, who is perhaps best described as a cross between Billy Mays and Anchor Man.  The gentleman’s name is Mike Lindell and he’s very enthusiastic to tell the world about his revolutionary invention… a pillow.

When I first saw the commercial, I was actually quite fascinated. Lindell sells a very simple product that’s used by nearly everyone. Every person who happens to be watching or listening to Lindell’s commercial is within his target audience.

What’s so special about this pillow and how much does it cost are two questions that immediately come to mind. I’ll get to that shortly. For now, let me tell you the story of Mike Lindell and how he built a pillow empire.

About Mike Lindell, Inventor of My Pillow

Inventor and CEO Mike Lindell

“Hello, I’m Mike Lindell, inventor of my pillow, I’ve invented the world’s most comfortable pillow, I make them right here in the United States.” He then makes a simple promise that appeals to all of his sleep-deprived listeners “You will have the best sleep in the whole world! It will change your life. It will be the most comfortable pillow that you have ever owned!”

Do these words sound familiar? Who is this guy and how did he end up in the spotlight selling pillows? I asked Google and results weren’t exactly pretty.

As it turns out, prior to 2009, Mr. Lindell had spent the majority of his life addicted to drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t until the age of 48 that he reportedly gave up the habit and sought religion.

Throughout his life, he tried his hand at several different businesses including carpet cleaning, nightclubs, bars, hog farming, a food truck and even a professional gambler, none of which were nearly as successful as My Pillow.

The idea for My Pillow came at 2 am back in 2004.  After years of sleepless nights, a vision came to him to create the best pillow ever and call it, quite simply, “My Pillow”.

Soon after having this vision, he asked his daughter to design the My Pillow logo, which is still used today. He and his son experimented with designing a pillow that would not lose it’s shape, go flat, or become warm throughout the night. This meant that they would have to choose a filling that satisfied these requirements.  They ultimately settled on a filling that consists of a mixture of three different size chunks of shredded foam.

At first, Lindell tried to sell his pillows to a local Bed, Bath and Beyond who quickly ushered him out the door. A family member suggested that he try to sell his pillows in a mall kiosk, which he tried with minimum success. However, while selling his pillows at the kiosk, he met a gentleman who operated a local home show who had invited him to participate in the next show. From there, he attended several other home shows in the area.

Interest from the home shows started to snowball and his company eventually found itself featured in the local newspaper which gave yet another boost to sales.

Investors soon took notice and helped Lindell fund his first infomercial.  Eventually, they threw hundreds of millions of dollars at advertising, making My Pillow the recognizable name that it is today.

About The My Pillow

What’s In My Pillow?

What is it about the design of My Pillow that makes it so special?

The primary feature that makes this pillow unique is the “patented interlocking fill”. You hear the name and one may think that it sounds as if it’s stuffed with space-age electrostatically charged filling that somehow attract each other, locking into place to form the most comfortable pillow ever.  Since the sales pages does not explain exactly what’s in this magical fill, we are left to guessing.

In reality, this interlocking fill is a mixture of open cell polyurethane foam that has been chopped up into three different sizes and placed inside of the casing.

One complaint often expressed in online reviews is that when the pillow is opened, it’s filling consists of a “bunch of chopped up foam”. While this is true, this mixture of chopped up foam is their patented feature and is what makes the My Pillow unique.

My Pillow Sizing

Traditional pillows are typically offered in different levels of firmness. My pillow, however, takes a different approach. Since every pillow is filled with the exact same material, the firmness level remains the same, regardless of which pillow you choose.

There are five different pillow grades that are offered. The pillows differ by the amount of fill that is placed inside the casing and each pillow is color coded.

• Yellow – For children 10 years of age and under, women who sleep on their stomach, and petite women who are less than 5′ in height. This pillow contains the least amount of filling.
• White – Designed for most women of average size regardless of sleep position. The white pillow is also designed for men who are 5’9″ or shorter unless they have really broad shoulders.
• Green – Fits the average guy up to 6’1″ and shirt size up to XL. It also works for women with broader shoulders.
• Blue – Made for men who are over 6’1″ in height or a man with broad shoulders.
• Red – “Big Red” Very large broad-shouldered man who only sleeps on their side and needs the extra fill to raise the head level.  Red no longer seems to be available.

Since choosing a size based on this description can be difficult, My Pillow has a pillow selector tool that makes this task easier.

The tool asks four different questions in order to find the best fit. Questions such as your sex, sleep position, t-shirt size and the type of pillow you currently use, all help to determine which pillow would be a good fit.

Money Back Guarantee

When you purchase a pillow from a retail store, you are often covered by their return policy which typically allows returns up to 30 days. The My Pillow, however, is offered with a 60 day 100% money back guarantee which allows you to receive all of your money back within 60 days of purchase if not satisfied. This deal, however, is only available when you purchase through their website.

Cost to Return My Pillow 

It’s worth mentioning that you will not receive all of your money back as My Pillow charges you return shipping and handling which amounts to approximately $21 for both pillows. The company will refund you the amount paid minus the cost of return shipping.

Will My Pillow Help With Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

At one point, Lindell claimed to be a sleep expert and that his pillow helped with ailments such as snoring reduction, sleep apnea, insomnia, migraines, fibromyalgia, and neck pain. These claims were later retracted. Does it help with snoring, sleep apnea or any other mentioned conditions? There is no known scientific evidence that supports these claims.

How Much Does My Pillow Cost? 

The cost of My Pillow will greatly vary depending on where the pillow is purchased and how you go about purchasing it.

On the official My Pillow website, they are advertised at $79.98 for a Queen Size and $89.98 for a King Size. Their website advertises an ongoing “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” special which requires a promo code.

The BOGO special can be quite confusing by design.  Navigating through the checkout process may be tricky and will leave you disappointed if you do not review your purchase before submitting payment.

Here’s how it works – When you add the queen size BOGO special to the shopping cart and go to check out, it displays the following:

Subtotal $159.96

Discount $ -45.70

Grand Total $114.26

Where did the -$45.70 discount come from, you ask? It certainly doesn’t equal the cost of an additional pillow which amounts to $79.98.

At a glance, one may mistake the discount to reflect the BOGO offer and proceed to checkout, paying $114.26 instead of $79.98. However, if you look closely at the top and you will see “Enter Promo Code”. Where does this promo code come from?

While a BOGO offer “with promo code” is advertised on their sales page, you will not find this promo code anywhere on their site. My Pillow does have a separate “promo code” page that suggests you look for a code in Print ads, Tv, Radio, or Online but still does not offer any visible codes on their website.

In order to receive this offer, you must either have heard or seen a promo code or leave the site and check a coupon website such as RetailMeNot or Offers.

After leaving the site, doing some googling and coming back to the site with a promo code, I was able to reduce the grand total down an additional $34.28 to $79.98 using the promo code that I found.

Moving on to the checkout process, I was offered 10-14 day USPS delivery for an additional $9.98, $19.95  for 2-5 day FedEx or $19.95 for 2-5 day Post Office delivery.

Choosing the standard USPS delivery option, the grand total with shipping came to $89.96 or $44.98 per pillow. 

Alternatively, My pillow is available from multiple retailers. Here’s the current price per pillow at a few larger retailers:

Walmart: $48.95

Ace Hardware: $49.99

Target: $49.99

Big Lots: $49.99

Amazon: $64.95

As you can see, the best price is offered at the My Pillow website, however, you must buy 2 and use the promo code in order to purchase at this price.

Financing Available 

The My Pillow sales page advertises that financing is available for all orders over $200.00. During the checkout process, you may choose to make monthly payments over 3, 6 or 12 months. APR ranges from 10% – 30% depending on your creditworthiness.

Other Available Products 

In addition to their pillow, they also manufacture and sell mattress toppers, Giza cotton sheet sets, pet beds, travel pillows, and even mattresses.

My Review Of My Pillow

I must admit that up until this point I have never spent more than $20 on a pillow, so paying $45 for one pillow made me a bit hesitant.

Comparing the My Pillow to other specialty pillows such as Tempur-Pedic, which can cost upwards of $80, the cost of the My Pillow really wasn’t more than expected.

Using the pillow selector tool on the website, It was suggested that I purchase the “Blue” pillow.

My pillow arrived wrapped in plastic. My Pillow was soft and nicely filled, although it felt a bit lumpy to the touch.

After reading over the instructions and some commentary online, I decided to wash and dry it to help settle the lumpiness and remove the faint odor that it arrives with.

Washing and drying definitely made it smell fresh and it somewhat reduced the lumpy texture.

I slept with My Pillow for three night and found it to be soft yet supportive. I don’t necessarily believe that it remained any cooler than the down feather pillow that I’m accustomed to. As for comfort, My Pillow doesn’t seem to be any more or less comfortable than my usual pillow.

Is It Worth It?

If you are considering buying a My Pillow, you probably want to know if its worth it. Does the $45 price tag justify the product that you receive?

While my opinion of My Pillow’s performance is fairly neutral, I can think of two reasons why you may want to consider purchasing this product.

10 Year Warranty 

Not very many pillows come with a 10-year warranty, but My Pillow does. The warranty detail page on their website states that My Pillow will not go flat during the 10 year warranty period, regardless of how many times it’s been washed and dried. They even offer to cover the cost of shipping which is typically unheard of with most warranties.

Consider how often you replace your pillows because they go flat and are no longer comfortable. Personally, I replace my down pillows about every year or so at a cost of $20 each. Ten years @ $20 = $200. As you can see, will save you somewhere around $190 in replacement costs over the next 10 years. If you have a partner and are buying two pillows every year, the savings easily doubles.

Made In The USA

My Pillow started with only 5 employees and now reportedly employees over 1500 people, in the United States. Their production facility in Shakopee, Minnesota produces over 25,000 per day.  Shakopee is a small town with a population of about 40,000 people.

Today, you are unlikely to find a pillow manufacturer in the United States. In fact, it’s becoming less common to see any manufacturing being done in the US as nearly all manufacturing is being outsourced overseas due to the lower cost of labor.

There are two primary reasons why the cost of My Pillow is higher than expected by most.

First, Lindell spends a lot of money advertising. In 2015, it’s estimated that Lindell spent around $45 million in advertising between radio, television and print ads. That’s $123k per day.

The second reason has to do with the cost of labor. One online source suggests that machine operators at the My Pillow factory start at $15 dollars per hour. The average hourly labor rate in China is $3.60.

The good news is that a portion of the money that you spend on My Pillow goes to support local families who ultimately spend their money which helps to support the local economy.

If you like the idea of supporting the local economy, you may want to consider purchasing a My Pillow.

Concluding Thoughts

The story of My Pillow is certainly an interesting one. Mr. Lindell has built a multi-million dollar business, despite several setbacks earlier in life.

I do like the way that My Pillow adjusts the amount of fill according to the individual body type. While the performance of the pillow is okay, the better features are the 10-year warranty and it is made in the USA. If either of these reasons appeals to you, give My pillow a try. You do have 60 days to decide if you would like to keep it. I gave it a try and decided not to return mine.

About The Sleep Belt For Snoring

Sleep belts, also known as snoring bumper belts or simply snoring belts, are positional therapy devices that are designed to reduce the symptoms of snoring and in some cases sleep apnea, as well as other sleep-disordered breathing.

What Is Positional Therapy and How Effective Is It? 

Positional Therapy is a treatment option that has been in existence for some time now and is occasionally prescribed to those who experience a notable improvement in breathing while sleeping on their side, opposed to on their back or the supine position.

The concept behind positional therapy is rather simple – maintain the body on its side and the symptoms improve. How does sleeping on one’s side improve snoring and sleep apnea?

While sleeping in the supine position, the airway often collapses and becomes obstructed. This is caused by the force of gravity which allows the jaw to fall towards the airway while asleep.

When the jaw falls backward, fat and tissue also fall backward and apply pressure on the airway, resulting in obstructed breathing. The sound of snoring is created when air passes through a partially obstructed airway and the tissues within the airway begin to vibrate and collide with each other. Sleep apnea occurs when the obstruction is so severe that breathing is completely stopped.

By sleeping on one’s side, a relaxed jaw exerts far less pressure on the airway, resulting in a clearer airway and reduced or even eliminated symptoms.

Exactly how effective is positional therapy? A number of studies have been conducted examining this treatment option and have actually found it to be quite effective. While results vary from one study to another, most agree that positional therapy is an impressive 70% – 80% effective. Considering that many snoring solutions do not offer scientific evidence at such a high rate of success, positional therapy seems to be an attractive solution.

How Do I Remain On My Back While Asleep?

While the idea of positional therapy sounds appealing, you may be wondering how one prevents rollover while asleep.

If you are one who is able to fall asleep on their side without moving throughout the night, consider yourself lucky. Many of us uncontrollably toss and turn throughout the night. The only way to prevent rollover is to wear a device that either makes sleeping on one’s back very uncomfortable or physically prevents rollover.  This is where sleep belts are helpful.

Sleep belts come in several different shapes and sizes, although the design is essentially the same between each. An elastic strap wraps around the front of the chest towards the back. At the back, there are typically one or several “bumpers” which simple cushions that are raised a few inches.

When you attempt to roll over while asleep, the bumpers prevent this from happening and you remain on your side. Imagine having a basketball attached to your back. Rolling over will be nearly impossible.

Will A Snore Sleep Belt Work For Me? 

If you have tried other anti-snoring products and have been disappointed, you may be wondering if a snore sleep belt will work for you.

Based on the studies that have been conducted, it’s clear that snore belts will not work for everyone. Being about 70% effective, the likelihood of having success is around 7 out of 10.

There is, however, one very easy way to tell if asleep belt may work for you. Simply ask your partner if sleeping on your side makes a difference in snoring. If they have never noticed, have them wake you and roll you over on your side when you begin to snore. If your snoring stops, a sleep belt may be all that you need to remedy your snoring.

If side sleeping has no effect, a sleep belt and positional therapy will of course not be helpful.

What Brands Are Available and How Much Are They?

There are several brands of sleep belts available, each are designed slightly different from one another. Here’s a short list of available products along with their price and features.

SlumberBump – $69.99

This product comes in three different sizes – Medium, large, and Extra Large and fits chest sizes between 32″ – 54″. It’s made from a breathable mesh material and contains anti-microbial fabric which is machine washable.

The Slumberbump contains one large removable air bladder which can be removed and deflated for travel.

REM-A-TEE Bumper Belt – $108.78

The Rem-a-tee bumper belt comes in four different sizes – Pediatric, medium, large and extra large. It fits chest sizes between 21″ – 60″.

Like the Slumberbump, this product is also machine washable and contains a bumper at the rear. The primary difference between the two is the number and size of the bumpers. This product has three smaller bumpers, opposed to one large bumper.

Zzoma – $189.59

The Zzoma is also a sleep belt, however, this product is marketed towards those with obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, their website states that a prescription is required before making a purchase. This is likely because it’s an FDA Cleared class II medical device.

Their website claims that the Zzoma was designed by board-certified physicians for the treatment of OSA. A study was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine comparing positional therapy with the Zzoma to CPAP, which indicated that it can be an effective solution.

Zzoma weighs less than a pound, contains an inflatable air bladder, and is machine washable.

NightShift Sleep Positioner – $349

NightShift, while not a sleep belt, is an innovative positional therapy device.

It’s a small electronic device that fits around one’s neck. It can accommodate those with a neck size between 12″-22″.

When the embedded sensor detects that you are sleeping in the supine position, it vibrates with increasing intensity until you roll over onto your side.

Like the Zzoma, NightShift is a medical device that requires a prescription to purchase.

Alternatives To Buying a Snore Belt

Perhaps you are on a budget or are simply not interested in dropping $70+ on a snore belt. Are there any alternatives to buying a snore belt? Yes, actually there’s a homemade remedy that you can try.

Simply attach a row of tennis balls to the back of a tee shirt using rubber bands. The tennis balls should be located at the back, just below the shoulders. Simply slip the t-shirt on before going to bed and that’s all.

The downside to using the tennis bell method is that the balls may not be large enough to prevent rollover.

Can I use a Snore Belt If I Have Sleep Apnea?

A snore belt can be used by those with sleep apnea and can even assist with the use of a CPAP. However, you should never self-treat sleep apnea. Speak with your physician about the possibility of using positional therapy and a snore belt.

Other Effective Anti-Snoring Solutions

Mouthpieces can be just as effective as positional therapy

When it comes to snoring, the truth is that most anti-snoring solutions are simply gimmicks or only work on a small percentage of people. The two exceptions are snore belts and snoring mouthguards. While you are now familiar with snore belts, snoring mouthpieces may not be familiar to you.

Essentially a snoring mouthguard is a plastic night guard that fits inside of the mouth and prevents the jaw from falling backward and obstructing the airway. Mouthguards are also extremely effective and come in many different designs. The primary advantage that the mouthpiece has over the snore belt is the fact that it allows you to sleep in any position. Also, mouthguards are more compact and easy to travel with.

If you are interested in learning more about such products, you can do so here.

Snoring is an issue that affects nearly half of the male population and just over a quarter of the female population. While often not a problem when a person sleeps alone, it can become an issue whenever a bed partner is introduced and snoring becomes a nuisance.

When snoring becomes an issue, those affected by their partner’s snoring often scramble to find a cure. This often leads one to wonder if there is a permanent cure for snoring or if the snoring remedies being sold are merely a temporary solution.

You may have noticed that your snoring has increased as you have grown older. Perhaps your snoring has increased after you gained a few pounds. Age and weight gain are two major contributors to snoring but are not the only causes. Before trying out every snoring cure on the market, you may want to first consider what may be causing your snoring before taking corrective action. You may want to enlist the help of your physician to help you with this task.

Permanent Fixes For Snoring

In most cases, once one begins to snore, it typically worsens over time. However, for some, there are two permanent snoring”fixes” that are effective.

Weight Loss

While it’s true that not all who are overweight have a snoring problem, carrying a few extra pounds can cause snoring. This is especially true for those who carry extra fat around their neck. Maintaining one’s body weight becomes increasingly difficult as we age.  Before you know it, you have packed on 30 lbs and develop a snoring problem.

If this sounds familiar, altering your diet and adopting an exercise plan may be all that it takes to cure your snoring. Keep an eye on carbohydrates, fats, and calorie intake while incorporating exercise into your daily routine can steer you back on track. Losing weight around the neck relieves downward pressure which often causes an airway restriction. The airway is the site in which snoring and sleep apnea most commonly occur. Reducing fat lifts pressure off of the airway and allows free breathing which may result in the elimination of snoring.

Surgery

Another permanent cure for snoring is surgery. While most physicians will not recommend snoring as a permanent cure for snoring, it’s often necessary if there is a physical obstruction that is blocking the flow of air such as abnormally large tonsils. Snoring surgeries are often recommended in those who have excessive tissue that prevents the flow of air. An example would be enlarged tonsils, adenoids, nasal polyps, or abnormally shaped septums.

Snoring surgery should be reserved for those who are likely to benefit from the recovery can be long and painful.

Are Other Snoring Cures Available?

While weight loss and surgery are the only two “permanent cures” for snoring, there two other snoring cures that are also effective.

Positional Therapy

Sleeping on one’s side is often all that it takes to cure snoring. While sleeping on your back, the body relaxes and the jaw has a tendency to also relax and fall towards the airway which can result in an airway obstruction. When one sleeps on their side, the airway is less likely to be affected by the jaw as gravity prevents it from falling backward.

In order to remain on one’s side, a snore bumper must be put in place in order to prevent rollover. You can purchase a snore bumper for less than $100 or fabricate one yourself.

The downside to relying on positional therapy is that it’s not exactly a permanent solution as you will always require the use of a snore belt to prevent rollover onto your back.

Snoring Mouthguard

Another snoring cure that I prefer is the snoring mouthguard. As mentioned, the jaw tends to relax and fall backward as we sleep. A snoring mouthguard prevents the jaw from falling back while sleeping in any position. If you prefer to sleep on your back, a mouthguard may be helpful.

The mouthguard is placed inside of the mouth prior to falling asleep. They are typically custom molded to fit closely between the upper and lower teeth. As the body relaxes, the jaw is held forward and in place by the upper teeth.

Mouthguards have been in existence for several years now and are typically only available online. Here’s a resource that’s helpful if you decide to go with a mouthguard.

Mouthguards, while more effective than snore bumpers, still share the same downfall which is they must be used every night otherwise the snoring will return.

When It’s More Than Snoring

Snoring is an issue that affects millions of couples every night. While often considered just a bedroom nuisance, sometimes snoring can be a symptom of a more serious issue – sleep apnea.

If your partner notices that your breathing sometimes pauses or you wake up each morning feeling less than refreshed, this may be an indication of sleep apnea. If you experience any symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important to first speak with your doctor before attempting to treat a snoring problem.

Sleep apnea often requires the use of an apparatus called a CPAP machine which assists with keeping the airway open as you sleep. They can perform a sleep study to confirm whether or not this will be necessary.