Rolf F., a 50-year old successful banker, visited his GP, complaining that for a long while now he had problems concentrating during important business events.

He also noticed that an increasing feeling of fatigue and exhaustion during the day, forcing him to take longer breaks. Sleep at night did not refresh him any longer. He had difficulties falling asleep because of his blocked nose. During the night, he would often wake up with a dry mouth. His wife complained because he was snoring loudly.

The examination revealed damage to the nasal mucous membranes. For a number of months, Rolf F. had used a decongestant nasal spray which had damaged the mucous membranes and triggered the feeling of a chronic cold. Because his nose was persistently blocked, Rolf had to keep increasing the dosage, which only made his suffering worse.

Once Rolf F. had replaced the decongestant nasal spray with a cortisone nasal spray on the advice of his GP and also had started to look after his nasal mucous membranes, the situation improved. He was finally able to enjoy a full night's sleep and wake up refreshed, thus overcoming the feeling of daytime fatigue.