Testy Bugger

Snoring – I’ve been to specialists, read books and blogs, talked to GPT – and no one mentioned the importance of post nasal drip, which I’ve had all my life.GPT says “Yes. Postnasal drip can be an important and easily overlooked contributor to snoring, particularly when it is accompanied by nasal congestion, throat clearing, coughing, a coated sensation in the throat or worse symptoms when lying down.”

It’s easy being a smart-arse after the fact. But the word machine just proved how useless it is; which is in line with all the other sources of information. So equals.

What I noticed was that I didn’t snore after taking the nasal decongestant spray, so then I started focusing on that feeling of post-nasal drip at night time – if you concentrate you can just feel it.

And, yes, there’s a correlation between my snoring and its presence.

Also sleeping on my side reduced snoring probably because the drip went around the core snore area.

The specialist had all sorts of gumph about my upper throat and the (ageing, sagging, possibly even overweight puffed-up) surfaces and their relative function as a virtual musical instrument.

What he didn’t mention was that said musical instrument is both mediated and enabled via a viscous fluid.

So, GPT, what to do?

• Start with Nasonex Allergy or a generic mometasone nasal spray, available from Australian pharmacies without prescription.

• Use it once daily according to the packet, initially two sprays in each nostril. Once controlled, reduce to one spray in each nostril daily. It may take several days of consistent use to judge properly.

• Before spraying, gently clear the nose or use a saline rinse. Aim the nozzle outward, away from the centre wall of the nose and sniff gently.

• Trial it for four weeks, while noting the amount of postnasal drip and snoring.

• If it clearly works, continue at the lowest effective dose. After one or two months, stop briefly to see whether the symptoms return. Long-term use may be reasonable when persistent nasal inflammation is the cause.

• Stop and consult a pharmacist or doctor if you develop repeated nosebleeds, persistent nasal pain or sores, visual changes or no meaningful improvement.

• Do not use a decongestant spray such as oxymetazoline or xylometazoline continuously because it can cause rebound congestion.