MLB Weekly Digest September 3rd Edition - NGSC Sports
How To Stop A Runny Nose? Here's TWO Easy Tips For Quick Relief, Says This Morning's Dr Zoe
IT'S time to streeeetch! New research from University of Rochester, New York, has found that yoga classes could help reduce the risk of relapse after cancer.
It's thanks to how the gentle form of exercise significantly cuts inflammation in the body.
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Dr Zoe Williams answers some health questions sent in by Sun readersAnd the benefits of yoga don't stop there – it can help improve flexibility, balance and muscle strength.
Best of all, it's a great tool for supporting mental health, giving you a moment to focus on breathing and relax.
Why not give it a try?
Here's what readers asked me this week…
Q: I HAVE had a runny nose for about nine weeks and it's driving me mad. Sometimes it feels like I've got the flu, but I can't stop my nose running, no matter what. I'm a 79-year-old male and healthy other than that.
A: The medical term for a runny nose is rhinorrhoea.
A runny nose can be annoying to say the least, but usually they clear up in a few days or a week or two.
It is often caused by inflammation in the nasal passages — we call this rhinitis, and it's often accompanied by sneezing, itching and/or congestion.
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Infections such as the common cold are the main cause, but tend to be short lived.
Allergic rhinitis is another leading cause and common allergens include pollen, dust mite, mould and animal dander.
Rhinitis can also be triggered by changes in temperature, humidity, and exposure to irritating chemicals, smells, or certain medications — especially some types of antidepressants, beta blockers or nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs.
So if you've started taking new medication in the last nine weeks, speak to your pharmacy to see if there could be a link.
Some people do get symptoms caused by age-related changes.
A reduction of blood flow to the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity can cause the tissues of the nose to shrink and dry out, causing rhinitis.
If you haven't sought any medical attention so far, please do, as this does need to be looked at by a doctor to check for nasal polyps and to rule out concern of a more serious cause, such as nasal cancer.
In the meantime I'd advise using daily nasal saline sprays or washes, and consider trying a nasal steroid — both of which you can buy from your pharmacist.
Q: FOR weeks I have had a white spot on the side of my tongue that will not go away. I first had a sore there, it cleared up, then the white spot appeared. Is it something I should be worried about?
A: If it's been there for more than three weeks, my advice would be to visit either your dentist or your GP.
White spots on the tongue aren't unusual but they usually disappear in a week to ten days.
There are a few things it could be; oral thrush is a common fungal infection that may happen if we're run down or if we've taken a recent course of antibiotics.
It is also more common in people with diabetes, those who wear dentures, people with anaemia and smokers.
It's rarely serious but if it doesn't clear up on its own — which yours hasn't — it may require treatment.
It could also be an aphthous ulcer which can be triggered by a virus, bacteria or a weakened immune system.
Allergies, stress and vitamin deficiencies can make you more susceptible to them too, as can any oral trauma.
Leukoplakia is where white or grey spots appear on the tongue or gums.
It's associated with smoking and while it usually clears up on its own, it does carry a small risk of developing into mouth cancer, so it's worth getting it checked out.
Q: I HAVE an enlarged anus and have tried to contact the doctor about it. But I had to speak to a receptionist to explain my problem, and twice they haven't called me back. I have still not spoken to a doctor and it's been a month now.
I'm so sorry your experience has been a negative one so far.
Please do persevere to try to get that appointment.
Doctors' receptionists often ask what the condition you're calling about is so they can triage your call and make sure you speak to the right person, however, you don't have to explain it if you'd rather not.
You can simply explain it's a personal issue that you'd rather not disclose.
Anal swelling can be caused by haemorrhoids, which develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum.
This often occurs when people strain to go to the toilet or sit on the toilet for a long time.
Anusitis is another condition which causes anal swelling, it's not serious and can be treated with a cream.
It's worth thinking about your diet too: has anything changed?
Anusitis often flares with dietary changes.
It could also be down to an anal fissure, abscess or anal fistula, so it is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis to be made.
I promise your doctor won't be disturbed by your symptoms, we deal with issues like these on a daily basis, so please persevere and try and get an appointment.
If a phone call isn't working, see if your surgery has an online consultation option where you can explain everything online.
'Odd bumps on the face'
Q: MY uncle has been struggling to get an appointment with his doctor and I was wondering could you give him any advice about a series of bumps on his face?
A: There are a number of different types of skin lesions I can see on the photos you've sent.
Some small white lumps mostly in the area between the eyes, some larger brown, warty looking lumps on the cheeks look like seborrhoeic keratosis, and there are also some signs of rosacea present.
The full history is really required as well as an in person examination of the skin, but on first glance, none of these are alarming.
But I'd really like to know more about the brown patch on your uncle's lower lip, especially how long that has been there and if it is changing.
This just goes to show how useful an e-consultation can be, as you can submit photographs along with some details of your query.
If I received this as an e-consult, I'd likely give your uncle a quick call to ask a couple of questions about the lip and then bring him in for a face to face appointment, the urgency of which being based on his answers to those questions.
So please do advise him to do an e-consult if his practice offers this, and submit this photo along with some details about the lip lesion
Runny Nose: Another Unexpected Side Effect From Cancer Treatment
Before beginning my chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment for stage 2, non-specific, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,a nurse went over a list of possible side effects from the chemo. One of the things listed in small font was "runny nose," as if you might have the occasional sniffles. What an understatement!
I don't know the medical reason for why a cancer patient's nose runs so much for months on end, but I have a theory. The body simply doesn't know what else to do in response to the harsh chemicals being pumped into it. When a person is sick with a cold or flu, the body knows to make mucus. That's what it does. When in doubt, make mucus. Confused by what is attacking it, the body simply does what it knows. And so, for the duration of treatment, you have a red, chapped nose from all the blowing. The never-ending runny nose is like a river, in which salmon spawn in the shallows and hungry bears wade out into the rapids to catch their slippery dinner.
The good news is that no two patients go through cancer treatment exactly the same. What happened to me may not happen to you. The good news is that shortly after the chemotherapy ends, the river dries up.
As a poet, I wrote poems throughout my cancer experience. I wrote every day. I wrote so many poems that they were eventually compiled into a book. "Running from the Reaper: Poems from an Impatient Cancer Survivor," is now available online. Funny, sad, satirical, genuine and uplifting, the book is a perfect gift for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, who cares for someone with cancer, or who loves someone with cancer. My runny nose was so incessant and annoying that I wrote a poem about it. You may think it is gross and hilarious, but its snot.
THE SNOT KING
At the meeting where the nurse told us
about all the possible side effects of chemo
(the list filled a sheet of paper and included death)
one of the things listed was "runny nose."
What an understatement!
It should have been printed in oversized, bolded font.
Ever since I began chemo my nose runs all the time,
like a leaky faucet or Niagra Falls. It never ends.
There are boxes of tissue in every room of our house.
I go through two or three boxes a day—
that's 2,000 tissues a week; 8,000 a month;
50,000 from beginning to end.
I go through so many tissues that I bought stock in Kleenex.
The price of the stock sky-rocketed from high demand.
Now I'm a millionaire! I'm the Snot King!
For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don't forget to subscribe to CURE®'s newsletters here.
How To Clear A Stuffy Nose
A stuffy nose can be due to mucus or inflamed blood vessels in your sinuses and often develops when you're sick. Other than taking medications, several home remedies can help unclog your nose.
A stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, can be frustrating and often affect your day-to-day life.
Many people think a stuffy nose results from too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, a clogged nose is usually the result of inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses. A cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection can all inflame these blood vessels.
Regardless of the reason for your stuffed-up nose, there are easy ways to relieve it.
A humidifier can be a quick and easy way to reduce sinus pain and help relieve nasal congestion.
The machine converts water to moisture that slowly fills the air, increasing the humidity in a room.
Breathing in this moist air can soothe irritated tissues and swollen blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. Some people claim that heated, humidified air can also help congested mucus drain better.
However, reviews have shown that there's no current evidence to support this.
If you're experiencing symptoms of nasal congestion, you may still benefit from placing humidifiers around your house or office.
Learn more about choosing the right humidifier for you here.
Have you ever had a stuffy nose and found that you could breathe so much better after a hot shower? There may be a good reason for that.
Steam from a shower may help to thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce inflammation. Taking a hot shower can help your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while.
You can get the same effect by breathing in steam from hot water in a sink. Here's how:
Learn more about steam inhalation for congestion relief here.
It's important to drink plenty of fluids if you suspect you have a cold or are experiencing flu symptoms.
Maintaining optimum hydration levels can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages, pushing the fluids out of your nose and decreasing the pressure in your sinuses. Less pressure means less inflammation and irritation.
If you're also experiencing a sore throat, warm liquids like tea may be able to help ease the discomfort in your throat, too.
Learn more about how much water your should drink per day.
Take hydration one step further with saline, a saltwater solution. Using a nasal saline spray can increase the moisture in your nostrils.
Some saline sprays also include decongestant medication. Talk with your doctor before you begin using saline sprays with decongestants.
It's not glamorous, but you can clean out your clogged nostrils with a Neti pot. A neti pot is a container designed to flush mucus and fluids out of your nasal passages.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using distilled or sterile water instead of tap water.
Here's how to use a neti pot:
Learn more about the correct ways to use a neti pot to relieve congestion here.
A warm compress may help alleviate some symptoms of nasal congestion by opening the nasal passages from the outside.
To make a warm compress, first, soak a towel in warm water. Next, squeeze the water out of the towel, then fold it and place it over your nose and forehead.
The warmth can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. Repeat this as often as necessary.
Learn more about making a warm compress at home here.
A congested nose can be uncomfortable, but some other over-the-counter (OTC) medications may clear out your nasal passages and bring relief.
Make sure to speak with a pharmacist when choosing a decongestant, antihistamine, or allergy medication. The pharmacist can also answer any questions you may have about a particular medication.
Call your doctor if your stuffy nose doesn't improve after taking medication for more than 3 days, or if you have a fever as well.
DecongestantsA decongestant medication can help reduce swelling and ease pain associated with irritated nasal passages. Many decongestants are available without a doctor's prescription.
They come in two forms: nasal spray and pill. Common decongestant nasal sprays include oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Sinex). Common decongestant pills include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Sudogest).
Be cautious when using decongestants. You shouldn't take a decongestant for more than 3 days without a doctor's supervision. After 3 days, a nasal decongestant may actually make your congestion and stuffiness worse.
In addition, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) should not take typical decongestants. Safe alternatives are available, but it may be best to speak with your doctor to assess which medication is right for you.
Discover the 7 best decongestants available over the counter.
Antihistamines or allergy medicationYou may want to take an antihistamine or allergy medication if your nasal congestion results from an allergic reaction. Both types of medications can reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, helping to unclog your sinuses.
Combining drugs containing both an antihistamine and a decongestant can relieve the sinus pressure and swelling caused by allergic reactions.
Follow the instructions for these medications carefully. If you don't, you may make your condition worse. You should also note that antihistamines might make you drowsy. If you aren't sure how an antihistamine will affect you, don't take this medication when you need to be active or productive.
Nasal congestion, which many people refer to as a stuffy nose, is the result of inflammation of blood vessels in your sinuses.
If you are experiencing symptoms of nasal congestion, there are a number of home remedies you can try. These include hot showers, warm compresses, and various OTC medications.
Read this article in Spanish.
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