Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter

March 1, 2006            

 Issue Vol. 6 No. 3

 In This Newsletter

Introduction

Healthfully yours

Health Hints

 Introduction***

 The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it.

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Healthfully Yours***

Post-nasal Drip***

A post-nasal drip condition is something not to be sneezed at. This is an extremely annoying condition that affects millions of people, exactly how many would be difficult to ascertain. For some of the more lucky ones, it will prove to be transitory, occurring during the incidence of having a cold. It is usually more prevalent at this time of the year when the weather is cold and blustery.

The greater majority will be affected with the chronic variety of post-nasal drip and is necessarily related to the weather there doesn’t have to be an incidence of having had a cold, but when they do, the condition worsens. The symptoms may improve somewhat after the cold is over, but the condition remains, and there is no cessation of symptoms.

Some causative factors that can lead to post-nasal drip are:

1. Allergies due to foods, such as milk, dairy products, eggs, wheat, gluten, peanuts, etc.
2. Sugars may also be an irritant to those with post-nasal drip and should be eliminated to see if the symptoms are alleviated.
3. Allergies due to chemicals, such as may be found in the laundry detergent, cleaning agents used, clothes coming from the cleaner, the pillow you sleep on, the rug you walk on, the particle board on furniture, etc.
4. Allergies due to environmental factors, such as grasses, flowers, pollen, pollution in the air, etc.
5. All of the above are substances that are being inhaled and are reacting with the mucous lining.
6. Infection of the sinuses.
7. Thinning of the nasal membranes.
8. Abnormalities of the sinuses.
9. Deviated septum. Although, this is not a usual causative factor, but in some instances may be.

 Symptoms of post-nasal drip are:

1. An excess of nasal mucous (vaso-motor rhinitis)
2. A cough that is usually worse at night, and is usually due to the excess mucous dripping into the throat.
3. Runny nose at times during the day, which can become very dry during nighttime hours.
4. Plugging of the Eustachian tube, the tube between the nasal passages and the ear, giving a feeling of the ear being obstructed. This can possibly cause an ear infection resulting in pain.
5. One or both nasal passages may be clogged and is usually worse at night.
6. There is a dripping of the mucous into the back of the throat, causing the individual to constantly bring up the phlegm, which is very thick and of a viscid consistency.
7. The drip into the throat can lead to a sore throat.
8. There may be an increase of sneezing, which is the bodies response to clogged sinuses and it’s way of clearing them.
9. Sinuses may become plugged, causing facial pain. This can also cause an infection of the sinuses that can prove to be very painful.

 How to cope with post-nasal drip can be a daunting fact. There are many prescription drugs that are given for the condition, but there are usually side affects as with any drug. There are also many over the counter drugs, but there can also be side affects with these as well. Reading the ‘Warning,” on the package of these over the counter medications, it will probably read, “ Do not exceed the recommended dosage as it can cause burning, sneezing and cause an increased nasal discharge. If the condition persists, see your physician”. What is usually not mentioned is that it can raise blood pressure. If the condition is severe, painful and infection is suspected, the individual should definitely seek help from their healthcare provider. If it has been a long ongoing condition, there are natural ways to lessen the symptoms and obtain some relief. Read about them in the health hints below.

 Health Hints***

1. You need to determine if you are allergic to any foods or other substances that you may be coming into contact with on a daily basis. If you suspect that it is a food that you are eating, you need to stop eating that particular food for about a month. If there is no improvement, you can go back to eating that food. Repeat the same procedure with another suspected food.
2. Do not use milk or mild products. These products produce excess mucous and can be a primary cause of Post-Nasal drip.

3. Take an extra vitamin C and querecetin before bedtime.
4. Add fresh garlic and grated daikon radish to your diet on a daily basis.
5. Review all household cleaning products and chemicals that are being used for laundry, etc.
6. Change all air conditioning and heating unit filters on a monthly schedule.
7. Wash all bedding once a week in hot water.
8. Vacuum all rugs, carpeting and drapes, twice weekly. If possible have someone do this chore so that you will not be exposed to excess dust.
9. Dust all furniture, pictures and nick-knacks twice weekly. Here too, it would be best having someone do this chore so that you will not be exposed to dust.
10. Explore your outdoor activities such as gardening, where you may be exposed to chemicals, mold and pollen. It may be wise to curtail these activities for a month or more to see if there will be any relief from the symptoms.
11. You may wish to discuss with your healthcare provider to have him/her do an IgG blood assay test to find the foods you may be sensitive too.
12. It is important to drink at least 16 ounces of water on a daily basis. This will help in keeping the mucous from being thick. Keeping the mucous of a more watery consistency will enable you to remove it more easily.
13. Finally, keeping the nasal passages clear will lessen the post-nasal drip and relieve the symptoms. A very convenient home remedy and a way to accomplish this are extremely easy and inexpensive. The procedure is outlined below.

Home procedure for nasal irrigation:

 Find two small vials or small jars. Fill one with regular table salt and the other with Baking Soda. Every morning, first blow the nose clearing both nostrils. Place a pinch of  salt and a pinch of baking soda in the palm of one hand. Let just enough warm water run  into your hand. With one finger of the other hand, stir the salt and baking soda. It will  rapidly dissolve. Add some more warm water to the dissolved liquid and quickly sniff the liquid into both nostrils, while throwing your head back. You will feel the liquid running  into the back of your throat. Wipe but do not blow the nose for a little while. If desired  and needed, this procedure can be repeated at bedtime.

A determined effort on anyone suffering with post-nasal syndrome may help in alleviating the symptoms of this most annoying condition. 

Doc Cane