DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 73-year-old ex-hockey player who has suffered a few broken noses through the years. I never learned to duck on a timely basis. My wife tells me my snoring is getting worse. During a visit to an ear, nose and throat physician, I was advised that I have a deviated septum, which a relatively minor surgery could correct. My snoring should lessen by at least 80 percent.

A huge number of people have a snoring problem, and I assume a significant percentage of them have a deviated septum. If correcting it is so easy, I wonder why more sufferers are not resorting to this procedure. Am I missing something here? — D.M.

ANSWER: The nasal septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that separates the right and left nostrils. A deviated septum is one that has shifted to the right or left side and narrows the nostril so that air passage through it is hindered. Some people are born with a deviated septum. Most, however, are like you: Their septum moved out of line from trauma, like a hockey puck hitting the nose.

Deviated septa promote snoring. People who have a deviation often breathe through their mouth during sleep. That causes the soft palate to vibrate, the source of the snore. It also causes nasal tissues to vibrate, an addition to the snoring noise.

You’re right. A huge number of people snore — 44 percent of men and 28 percent of women over the age of 30.

Most snorers who have a deviated septum don’t see a doctor unless their spouse prompts them to or unless the snoring wakes the snorer. Other people snore for other reasons. People with sleep apnea are loud snorers, but their nasal septum usually is in its normal position. Vibrating redundant tissues in the back of their mouth and throat are the cause of their snoring.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a healthy 83-year-old woman who is active and participates in a fitness program. Several years ago I was part of an aging study, which included a Holter monitor. I was told it showed runs of supraventricular tachycardia. If it’s still occurring, I don’t feel it. I am resistant to the idea of being put on multiple medications. I would like your opinion. — M.L.

ANSWER: A Holter monitor records all heartbeats in a 24-hour or longer period. Supraventricular tachycardia is a fast heartbeat that arises in the atria, the heart chambers above the pumping ventricles (supraventricular). Five distinct abnormalities fall under the “supraventricular tachycardia” classification. Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation are two of them. They need immediate attention. I’m sure they are not your problem. What determines the seriousness of the other three is their frequency, their duration and the symptoms they produce. Your tachycardia doesn’t cause symptoms. You don’t feel it, so you don’t know how often it occurs or how long it lasts. I can’t believe someone as active as you has a serious problem. All the same, your doctor should be alerted to the Holter monitor findings so he or she can determine the exact type of your tachycardia.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been told I have Schamberg’s disease. I have to put moisturizing cream on my legs to ease the itching. Will I have this for the rest of my life? — F.H.

ANSWER: Schamberg’s disease is a skin problem where thumbprint-size brown patches occur on the skin. On the patches are pinhead, purplish dots that look like cayenne pepper has been sprinkled on them. For some, it itches. You are among the itchy “some.” If moisturizing cream works for you, stick with it. Others use cortisone-based creams and antihistamines.

Schamberg’s may resolve on its own. Please note the “may.” It doesn’t for all. Predications are impossible to make.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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