Sroberts0316 - Neti pots are terrific for patients with chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. Flonase is a steroid preparation which is useful for patients with internal nasal swelling which is usually (but not always) from allergy. Usually nasal obstruction is relieved after septal surgery unless he has severe allergies which need to be addressed.Snoring is a warning sign and the main symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). People who have OSA have 3 times the incidence of stroke and heart attacks, and 7 times the over all mortality rate of people without OSA. These risk factors go away with treatment. Therefore it is very important to make the diagnosis and treat accordingly! OSA can be caused by a deviated septum. In fact a study done on medical students many years ago showed that when their noses were blocked they all developed OSA. OSA seems to be most common in overweight men who are over 40. Generally a neck size over 16 1/2 " is strongly associated with OSA. Although that is the rule, I saw 2 patient's in their 20's this week who were slender and had OSA.If your boyfriend has any of the other symptoms of OSA :Excessive daytime slepiness Drowsy while driving, Falling asleep while reading or watching TVWaking with a HeadacheTrouble waking in the morningOr associated medical conditions such as Obesity, Diabetes, Elevated Blood Pressure- he should have a sleep study to check for OSA. If the study is negative or shows mild OSA then there are many treatment options open to him including a dental device to help open his airway and surgical procedures to do the same. In more severe cases, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine may be necessary. Most patients with OSA are overweight and losing the weight can eliminate both the OSA and the snoring.Unfortunately OSA causes the body to release a hormone which causes the patient to crave sweet, fatty foods (like donuts). I have found that patients are almost never successful in losing weight until their OSA is addressed with a CPAP machine. Once they lose the weight many people do not need the machine anymore. We have an effective rapid weight loss system in my office but this is a different topic The best options are determined by the results of the Sleep Study and a good physical exam, including an examination of the upper airway by a physician familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of upper airway issues. Every patient is different and effective treatment must be tailored to fit the individual.Franklin Douglis MD Board Certified in Otolaryngology (ENT) and Sleep Medicine.
