I have a friend in his 60s who has probably suffered sleep
apnea most of his life.  He is overweight, drinks in the
evenings and is not about to go to a doctor for his problem.
In fact, he is a physician and has the physician's typical
macho mistrust of other doctors.  

My question is:  can one buy one of those sleeping devices that
keep the trachea open "over the counter"?  If so, where does
one find them?  If not, how could I get information about them
so that my friend could read up on them and perhaps "prescribe"
one for himself?  Is there some sort of catalogue?  

Don't bother giving advice about losing weight, stopping
drinking, etc.  Believe me, I've tried.  I feel so sorry for
him because he really does suffer during the day from chronic
fatique.  Not to mention the fact that I have seen/heard him
sleep and it is truly a frightening thing to realize that he
has stopped breathing momentarily.  Thank you.

                            [...]
: fatique.  Not to mention the fact that I have seen/heard him
: sleep and it is truly a frightening thing to realize that he
: has stopped breathing momentarily.  Thank you.

Is he sleeping on his back when this occurs?  If so, the simple
expedient of sewing a tennis ball/wooden 2 by 4 into his pajama
back will keep him on his side/stomach.  Really.

..usual disclaimer..

Don Montgomery

Your friend is by definition an {*filter*}ic -- he very likely has a life
threatening condition (obstructive sleep apnea, which may cause
premature death from heart disease if left untreated) caused or at
least worsened by {*filter*} and yet can't or won't stop drinking.  I know
this sounds harsh, but the best way to help him is call his state's
department of licensing and report his {*filter*}ism.  They can force him
to seek treatment if he wants to keep his license, and can probably
keep it confidential (depending on the law in your state).  It is
unlikely that anything other than CPAP (a compressor hooked up to a
nose mask) or surgery will help as long as he keeps drinking.

This is patently absurd; but whoever wishes to become a philosopher
must learn not to be frightened by absurdities. -- Bertrand Russell

This man knows how to obtain a CPAP device. He should quit
drinking and smoking (These are both implicated in obstructive
sleep apnea).

Renee Roberts