Reducing nighttime nasal congestion can be tricky
King Features Syndicate
Q: I have tried everything for nasal congestion. Although some remedies work for a while, nothing has worked consistently over the years better than nose spray. The problem: It is addictive. My congestion is always at night, so I either use the spray or can’t sleep. I have tried oral decongestants. They clear up my nasal passages, but the ingredients keep me awake. I also have tried nasal strips with little success. I wish there was a remedy that would help with my severe nighttime nasal congestion while letting me sleep through the night.
A: You are caught in a classic double bind. Many people find that oral decongestants keep them awake. If an antihistamine also has a “D” in the name, it probably contains a decongestant. Perhaps an allergist could identify what is causing your congestion and recommend nonstimulant options. Avoiding the triggers that are causing the congestion would be the best solution.
Q: A reader wrote to you about a recent flareup of atopic dermatitis. I’d like to suggest that this person consider allergy testing to identify what may have caused it. I have had eczema all my life. A couple of years ago, I had a severe breakout that lasted months. I went to a naturopathic physician who did a simple blood test to identify the allergen. The test determined that I was “off the charts” allergic to eggs. While I had been eating eggs sporadically all my life, I had never eaten them every day until then. The doctor suggested I stop eating eggs to see if it would clear up my eczema. After six weeks, it did! I can now eat eggs sporadically, but not daily!
A: Allergic reactions to eggs are frequently seen among babies and young children with eczema. This appears to be less common for adults. Nonetheless, both kids and adults with hard-to-treat eczema (atopic dermatitis) may have multiple allergic sensitivities (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, September 2018). As you note, avoiding an allergic trigger when possible may be the best treatment.
Q: My 60-year-old husband had his colonoscopy two years ago. All was normal. Shortly thereafter, he started experiencing many bouts of constipation and occasional loose stools. He rarely has a normal evacuation. The gastroenterologist performed another colonoscopy this year and found nothing abnormal. My husband has had a breath test to rule out an infection with H.
pylori. It was normal. He’s been checked for allergies and has lost weight. Crohn’s and celiac disease also have been ruled out. We believe his gut flora has been compromised and are at a loss as to what can be done to remedy his situation. Can you suggest a course of action for a 6-foot-tall, 175-pound man who takes no medication and is otherwise healthy?
A: Colonoscopy is very important to detect the earliest stages of colon cancer. The preparation for colonoscopy involves cleansing the colon. There is some evidence to suggest that this cleansing process can disrupt the balance of intestinal microbes (European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, May 2016). Your husband’s physician may wish to order a stool analysis to detect whether there is microbial imbalance. Organizations such as uBiome.com and Verisana .com do this type of analysis. If there is alteration of the microbial ecology, probiotics may help restore the natural balance (Advanced Biomedical Research, June 25, 2018). In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www .peoplespharmacy.com.