Dr. Gott: Snoring keeps companion away

Dear Dr. Gott: I am 70 years old and going steady with a 74-year-old gentleman. We just date occasionally. I spent a couple of nights with him, and he remarked about how loud I snore.

He’s never asked me to spend the night again.

Is there anything you know of that can cure snoring? I am desperate. I’ve talked to my doctor, and all he says is to sleep on my side.

Dear Reader: I do not believe that merely sleeping on your side will help reduce your snoring, which may be a symptom of sleep apnea. I urge you to see an ear, nose and throat doctor, who can examine you and determine whether there is a physical cause for your snoring, such as a deviated septum, or whether you do indeed have sleep apnea and need a sleep-laboratory evaluation.

Ask your doctor for a referral to such a resource, which is available in many hospital centers.

If, as I suspect, sleep apnea is your problem, the specialists in the sleep lab can prescribe nightly oxygen supplements that may persuade your companion to try spending the night with you again. While awaiting your appointment, you can try Breathe Right nasal strips, which help open the nasal passageways.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Sleep/Wake Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: A recent letter in your column mentioned the use of Pepto Bismol and questioned if taking it could have resulted in a dark stool. I had an experience following the use of this product that might be of interest to you and your readers.

I mentioned to a friend one day that I had a dark tongue upon waking one morning. My friend asked, “Did you use Pepto Bismol the night before?”

I remembered I did have an upset stomach the night before, and I had used Pepto Bismol. Being a bit of a skeptic, I experimented by taking Pepto the next night and waited for the results in the morning.

You guessed it: I awoke with a black tongue the following morning.

I have no idea why Pepto Bismol caused my black tongue, but I wonder if it did the same thing with your other reader’s problem.

Dear Reader: The bismuth in Pepto Bismol typically causes black tongue and dark bowel movements. This is not a reason to avoid the product; it merely comes with the territory.

This raises the issue of reading labels. The experiences you and my other reader wrote about are listed on the bottle of Pepto Bismol as possible side effects.

Before taking any over-the-counter medicine, you should always read the label, which gives directions and possible side effects.

Also, certain over-the-counter medicines may cause interactions with your prescription drugs, and these are listed on the packaging labels as well. So please be sure to read before you buy.