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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:19pm

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on May 3, 2011 at 8:20pm

Good evening Dr Park,  Having just been threw (blood) allergy testing and finding out that I have very few I was told I have nonallergic rhinitus. So do you think netti pots and air filters are good treatments for this? I have turned the humidity up on my cpap which has helped some. Thankyou ,Chris

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Permalink Reply by Greg Kroemer on May 3, 2011 at 8:20pm

I have tried the Breathe Right Strips, but they didn't work for me.  And yes, I am on high blood pressure medication.

 

A couple of things I neglected in my inital post.  I'm a side sleeper, can't sleep on my back at all.  Also, when I had my 2 sleep studies, I was on at least 13 different medications for a variety of ailments.  I'm off over half of them and am no longer a "zombie" that a family member said I was while on all those meds.  Would that have an impact on the sleep study results and should I push for a new study?  I'm told that I don't snore nearly as much as I did back then.

 

Steven Y. Park, MD said:

Greg, it sounds like you could have one of two possible issues:

 

1. You could have vasomotor rhinitis, where due to an involuntary nervous system imbalance, your blood vessels in your nose can't constrict when you're lying flat. Another possibility is that you still have structural issues in your nose that needs to be addressed further (persistent deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, or flimsy nostrils). Did you try using Breathe Right Strips? Also, are you on any high blood pressure medications?

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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:20pm

Right now, a lot of people have spring pollen allergies, so a lot of people have stuffy noses.

This can be on top of any other reason for nasal congestion.

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Permalink Reply by Diane Dennis on May 3, 2011 at 8:24pm

Hey Dr. Park!

 

Thank you for answering our questions for us!

 

I only have a few minutes (hungry kid) so I'll have to come back to see your answer but...

 

No sooner did I read in the forums here about people getting clogged sinuses, and thought oh thank goodness that's not happening to me ;) and my sinuses started giving me grief.  Power of suggestion? ;)

 

Anyhow, I'm on a BiPap at 22 pressure, full face mask, breathe through my mouth most of the night...  What can I do to keep my nose from clogging during the day (it doesn't happen during the night) and stop the sinus headaches, without having to use nose spray and sinus meds?

 

Thank you again Dr. Park!

Diane

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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:25pm

Chris H.,

Yes, you have nonallergic or chronic rhinitis, which is a nervous system imbalance. Any type of nasal saline irrigation, including a Neti-Pot, can help. But you have to do it often. It's also important to avoid eating late and drinking alcohol within 3-4 hours of bedtime, as reflux can aggravate nasal congestion.

Chris H said:

Good evening Dr Park,  Having just been threw (blood) allergy testing and finding out that I have very few I was told I have nonallergic rhinitus. So do you think netti pots and air filters are good treatments for this? I have turned the humidity up on my cpap which has helped some. Thankyou ,Chris

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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:28pm

If your last sleep study was more than a few years ago, it's probably a good idea to get another sleep study. Sometimes Breathe Rite Strips are not strong enough. Another option is called Nozovents, which pushes your nostrils outward, so it works better.

Greg Kroemer said:

I have tried the Breathe Right Strips, but they didn't work for me.  And yes, I am on high blood pressure medication.

 

A couple of things I neglected in my inital post.  I'm a side sleeper, can't sleep on my back at all.  Also, when I had my 2 sleep studies, I was on at least 13 different medications for a variety of ailments.  I'm off over half of them and am no longer a "zombie" that a family member said I was while on all those meds.  Would that have an impact on the sleep study results and should I push for a new study?  I'm told that I don't snore nearly as much as I did back then.

 

Steven Y. Park, MD said:

Greg, it sounds like you could have one of two possible issues:

 

1. You could have vasomotor rhinitis, where due to an involuntary nervous system imbalance, your blood vessels in your nose can't constrict when you're lying flat. Another possibility is that you still have structural issues in your nose that needs to be addressed further (persistent deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, or flimsy nostrils). Did you try using Breathe Right Strips? Also, are you on any high blood pressure medications?

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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:31pm

One way to to use nasal saline irrigation regularly throughout the day. You're probably suffering from a sinus variation of migraines. Weather, pressure or humidity changes, as well as chemicals, scents, and odors can aggravate nasal congestion during the day. Try also to avoid classic migraine triggers such as aged cheeses, red wine, chocolates and MSG. It's also important to avoid eating or drinking alcohol within 3-4 hours of bedtime. See if this works. I'm willing to bet that you'll find at least some improvement.

Diane Dennis said:

Hey Dr. Park!

 

Thank you for answering our questions for us!

 

I only have a few minutes (hungry kid) so I'll have to come back to see your answer but...

 

No sooner did I read in the forums here about people getting clogged sinuses, and thought oh thank goodness that's not happening to me ;) and my sinuses started giving me grief.  Power of suggestion? ;)

 

Anyhow, I'm on a BiPap at 22 pressure, full face mask, breathe through my mouth most of the night...  What can I do to keep my nose from clogging during the day (it doesn't happen during the night) and stop the sinus headaches, without having to use nose spray and sinus meds?

 

Thank you again Dr. Park!

Diane

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Permalink Reply by Sheryl J. Runyon on May 3, 2011 at 8:33pm

I don't have a stuffy nose, I wake up with so much mucous in my throat it gags me. Every morning I cough this gunk up then I am fine for the rest of the day. What could be causing this? I have had it ever since I started c- pap therapy.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Kroemer on May 3, 2011 at 8:36pm

I will follow up on all your suggestions.  Thank you so much for the input!

Steven Y. Park, MD said:

If your last sleep study was more than a few years ago, it's probably a good idea to get another sleep study. Sometimes Breathe Rite Strips are not strong enough. Another option is called Nozovents, which pushes your nostrils outward, so it works better.

Greg Kroemer said:

I have tried the Breathe Right Strips, but they didn't work for me.  And yes, I am on high blood pressure medication.

 

A couple of things I neglected in my inital post.  I'm a side sleeper, can't sleep on my back at all.  Also, when I had my 2 sleep studies, I was on at least 13 different medications for a variety of ailments.  I'm off over half of them and am no longer a "zombie" that a family member said I was while on all those meds.  Would that have an impact on the sleep study results and should I push for a new study?  I'm told that I don't snore nearly as much as I did back then.

 

Steven Y. Park, MD said:

Greg, it sounds like you could have one of two possible issues:

 

1. You could have vasomotor rhinitis, where due to an involuntary nervous system imbalance, your blood vessels in your nose can't constrict when you're lying flat. Another possibility is that you still have structural issues in your nose that needs to be addressed further (persistent deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, or flimsy nostrils). Did you try using Breathe Right Strips? Also, are you on any high blood pressure medications?

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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:36pm

Sometime, the pressures from CPAP itself can be an irritant, just like weather changes or fragrances. It's a neurologic issue. You can either try to cover it up by using something like Atrovent (which lessens the nasal nervous system response), or try a different form of sleep apnea treatment. 

Sheryl J. Runyon said:

I don't have a stuffy nose, I wake up with so much mucous in my throat it gags me. Every morning I cough this gunk up then I am fine fort wrest of the day. What could be causing this? I have had it ever since I started c- pap therapy.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on May 3, 2011 at 8:40pm

You can also ask me any question related to sleep apnea as well.

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