SIDEBAR: Health tips on post nasal drip

I have bad sinuses and occasionally get bothered by a cough initiated by post nasal drip,  This is one article on how to handle the situation:

Post-Nasal Drip

SIDEBAR: Health tips

text version of the post nasal drip article.  Courtesy of  http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/postNasalDrip.cfm


Insight into treating a runny nose

• What is post-nasal drip?
• How is swallowing affected?
• How is it treated?
• and more…

Glands in your nose and throat continually produce mucus (one to two quarts a day). Mucus moistens and cleans the nasal membranes, humidifies air, traps and clears inhaled foreign matter, and fights infection. Although it is normally swallowed unconsciously, the feeling of it accumulating in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose is called post-nasal drip. This sensation can be caused by excessively thick secretions or by throat muscle and swallowing disorders.
What causes abnormal secretions?
Thin secretions:
Increased thin clear secretions can be due to colds and flu, allergies, cold temperatures, bright lights, certain foods/spices, pregnancy, and other hormonal changes. Various drugs (including birth control pills and high blood pressure medications) and structural abnormalities can also produce increased secretions. These abnormalities might include a deviated or irregular nasal septum (the cartilage and bony dividing wall that separates the two nostrils).
Thick secretions:
Increased thick secretions in the winter often result from dryness in heated buildings and homes. They can also result from sinus or nose infections and allergies, especially to foods such as dairy products. If thin secretions become thick, and turn green or yellow, it is likely that a bacterial sinus infection is developing. In children, thick secretions from one side of the nose can mean that something is stuck in the nose such as a bean, wadded paper, or piece of toy. If these symptoms are observed, seek a physician for examination.
How is swallowing affected?
Swallowing problems may result in accumulation of solids or liquids in the throat that may complicate or feel like post-nasal drip. When the nerves and muscles in the mouth, throat, and food passage (esophagus) aren’t interacting properly, overflow secretions can spill into the voice box (larynx) and breathing passages (trachea and bronchi), causing hoarseness, throat clearing, or coughing.
Several factors contribute to swallowing problems:

• With age, swallowing muscles often lose strength and coordination, making it difficult for even normal secretions to pass smoothly into the stomach.
• During sleep, swallowing occurs much less frequently, and secretions may gather. Coughing and vigorous throat clearing are often needed upon waking.
• When nervous or under stress, throat muscles can trigger spasms that make it feel as if there is a lump in the throat. Frequent throat clearing, which usually produces little or no mucus, can make the problem worse by increasing irritation.
• Growths or swelling in the food passage can slow or prevent the movement of liquids and/or solids.

Swallowing problems may also be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a backup of stomach contents and acid into the esophagus or throat. Heartburn, indigestion, and sore throat are common symptoms. GERD may be aggravated by lying down, especially following eating. Hiatal hernia, a pouch-like tissue mass where the esophagus meets the stomach, often contributes to the reflux.
How is the throat affected?
Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.
How is it treated?
A correct diagnosis requires a detailed ear, nose, and throat exam, and possibly laboratory, endoscopic (procedures that use a tube to look inside the body), and x-ray studies. Treatment varies according to the following causes:

• Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. These drugs may only provide temporary relief. In cases of chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required.
• Allergies are managed by avoiding the causes. Antihistamines and decongestants, cromolyn and steroid (cortisone type) nasal sprays, and other forms of steroids may offer relief. Immunotherapy, either by shots or sublingual (under the tongue drops) may also be helpful. However, some older, sedating antihistamines may dry and thicken post-nasal secretions even more; newer nonsedating antihistamines, available by prescription only, do not have this effect. Decongestants can aggravate high blood pressure, heart, and thyroid disease. Steroid sprays may be used safely under medical supervision. Oral and injectable steroids rarely produce serious complications in short-term use. Because significant side-effects can occur, steroids must be monitored carefully when used for more than one week.
• Gastroesophageal reflux is treated by elevating the head of the bed six to eight inches, avoiding foods and beverages for two to three hours before bedtime, and eliminating alcohol and caffeine from the daily diet. Antacids such as Maalox®, Mylanta®, Gaviscon®, and drugs that block stomach acid production such as Zantac®, Tagamet®, or Pepcid®) may be prescribed. If these are not successful, stronger medications can be prescribed. Trial treatments are usually suggested before x-rays and other diagnostic studies are performed.

General measures that allow mucus secretions to pass more easily may be recommended when it is not possible to determine the cause. Many people, especially older persons, need more fluids to thin out secretions. Drinking more water, eliminating caffeine, and avoiding diuretics (medications that increase urination) will help. Mucous-thinning agents such as guaifenesin (Humibid®, Robitussin®) may also thin secretions. Nasal irrigations may alleviate thickened secretions. These can be performed two to four times a day either with a nasal douche device or a Water Pik® with a nasal irrigation nozzle. Warm water with baking soda or salt (½ to 1 tsp. to the pint) or Alkalol®, a nonprescription irrigating solution (full strength or diluted by half warm water), may be helpful. Finally, use of simple saline (salt) nonprescription nasal sprays (e.g., Ocean®, Ayr®, or Nasal®) to moisten the nose is often very beneficial.
Sinus Conditions
Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. They drain into the nose through small openings. Blockages in the openings from swelling due to colds, flu, or allergies may lead to acute sinus infection. A viral cold that persists for 10 days or more may have become a bacterial sinus infection. This infection may increase post-nasal drip. If you suspect that you have a sinus infection, you should see your physician to see if it needs antibiotic treatment.
Chronic sinusitis occurs when sinus blockages persist, causing the lining of the sinuses to swell further. Polyps (growths in the nose) may develop with chronic sinusitis. Patients with polyps tend to have irritating, persistent post-nasal drip. Evaluation by an otolaryngologist may include an exam of the interior of the nose with a fiberoptic scope and CAT scan x-rays. If medication does not relieve the problem, surgery may be recommended.
Vasomotor Rhinitis describes a nonallergic “hyperirritable nose” that feels congested, blocked, or wet.

Yeah I missed a day

Working on another blog.  This one will focus more on my art side.  Don't want to focus just on news and information

ELDER CARE: a new scare

I got some disturbing news recently when I got home.  My “godmother” had a bout with dementia yesterday and wandered out of the apartment.  I call her my godmother but she is actually the mother of my best friend.  She is 77 years old.  A few years ago we noticed a slight change in her behavior.  When I say we I mean my friend and his sister,  he changes were small but still significant.  Slight but significant changes to her personality and to her memory.  Neither sibling chalked it up to dementia.  Having nothing but seniors in my family I let my friend know that she was getting older and she will not always be the same person he remembered.  At the time I was just referring to simple aging.  As one of my aunts got older her personality changed.  No dementia or anything like that.  Same with my mother.  But being that my friend and his sister didn’t have that exposure like I did or at least not recently I thought I would share with them my experiences.  Unfortunately a doctor’s visit revealed Vascular Dementia something similar to Alzheimer’s disease.  Over the next few months my godmother went from being a totally independent lady to someone unable to go out of the apartment by herself.  I noticed she would ask me the same question over and over again.  She would ask about my mother but also my grandmother.  I told my friend things to look out for and just advised him to keep up with her doctors’ visits and to try and see an elder psychologist. 

The subtle changes became more noticeable.  My friend lives in Brooklyn while his mom lives in Harlem.  He would take her to his place when he would have to go home.  She was familiar with his residence.  After a few months she began to get confused.  She would eventually realize where she was but even her home, in her mind, became wherever she was and she would behave as if she wasn’t there for a while.

Yesterday, my friend had a doctor’s appointment (he has his own health issues) and a few errands to take care of.  He couldn’t take his mom with him like he normally would and the weather was hazardous as the temperature was near 100 degrees.  He left her home.  It’s not the first time he did that.  When he got off the subway he got multiple calls from family members.  Apparently his mother got confused and left the apartment to go home.  She stopped a lady in the street and asked for help.  When the lady realized something was wrong she called a cop.  Thankfully his mom remembered some telephone numbers.

Some helpful suggestions in dealing with the elderly:

Keep telephone numbers in their bag
Keep numbers pinned to their pockets
Give them a cell phone and make sure it is onPossibly get a track phone
Call them often (from every one to three hours)
Take the knobs off the stove to keep them from turning on the gas.

SIDEBAR: Sad state of guns in New York

courtesy:  http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/army-stem-tide-young-guns-nypd-official-article-1.1104177

It will take an ‘army’ to stem tide of young guns: NYPD official 

14 shootings in June in Queens South precincts as violent youth groups grow

By Irving Dejohn / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Thursday, June 28, 2012, 4:47 PM

Queens is plagued by dangerous street crews and it’s going to take an “army” to clamp down on them, a high-ranking NYPD official said.
Gun-toting youngsters, who identify themselves by group names like “Gang of Apes (G.O.A)” and “Pop on Site,” are growing, police officials said.
“We’re not going to wait around until the murder rate goes up 36%,” said Assistant Commissioner Kevin O’Connor with the NYPD’s Juvenile Justice Division.
Any push to curb the crews, which are estimated to include 5,000 members citywide, must include the community and the parents, he said.
“It takes a village? No. The village is dead. It takes an army right now,” O’Connor told a youth seminar at York College on Wednesday. “This is affecting every kid out there.”
In Patrol Borough Queens South, which includes eight precincts in Queens, there have been 14 shootings this month as of June 26, according to Sgt. Luis Orsini of the Juvenile Justice Division Queens South.
In an ongoing feud between the 40 Boyz and the G.O.A. in the Beach 41st Street Houses, one crew member identified only as “Oscar,” has been shot twice in one month, Orsini said.
The troubling fact is that many of these young guns shoot wildly and frequently, putting innocent bystanders at risk.
“These boys don’t go to the range to practice,” Orsini said.
The crews aren’t shy about their affiliations, either, he noted.
They take to social networks, posting pictures of them pointing guns and “Mobbin’” to show off how large their sect is.
The formations of crews isn’t a new phenomenon or itself a dangerous one, Orsini noted.
They start as cliques of kids who share common music interests or blocks. But when they start following older gun runners, then the situation turns dangerous.
“The crew is not the problem. It’s when you’re hanging out with guys that are packing,” Orsini said. “They feel empowered.”
Orsini suggested enrolling kids in some of the youth groups that the NYPD offers, such as the Youth Police Academy.
The NYPD is holding information sessions in Staten Island on Friday and Brooklyn on Monday.
Helena Campbell, a city probation officer, said she’ll be listening closely for some of the crew names mentioned.
“Now my ears are open,” she said. “I know what to look for.”


idejohn@nydailynews.com

SIDEBAR: STOP AND FRISK UPDATE

Sadly, New Yorkers are caught in the middle with the "stop and frisk" issue.

 On one hand you have people, mostly young males of color under the age of 30 shooting wherever and whenever they want, not caring about who they shoot.  Add to this a general neighborhood consensus that you do not snitch by telling the authorities.  On the other hand you have a few racist cops who will use their authority to round up and harass every Black and Latino look kid just because they have the power.  Most folks are caught in the middle of this mess.  The answer should be to police both young folks under 30 and the police but that  can't be done.
Ultimately I am for Stop and Frisk because I will probably be hurt more by my own kind than I would from the cops.

Two Suspects Charged in Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old Boy in Bronx Park - DNAinfo.com New York

Two Suspects Charged in Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old Boy in Bronx Park - DNAinfo.com New York

Residents, Pols Rally After 4-Year-Old Boy Killed by Stray Bullet - DNAinfo.com New York

I salute these politicians for their change in position on Stop and Frisk.  It is not an decision to make.

Residents, Pols Rally After 4-Year-Old Boy Killed by Stray Bullet - DNAinfo.com New York

SIDEBAR: Colorado shooting

The big news people are talking about is the Dark Knight Massacre.   Summarizing, a guy went to the opening midnight showing of the Dark Knight Rises in Aurora Colorado and started shooting people at random.  According to reports he first threw a canister of tear gas into the theater and as people ran out in panic he started shooting, some with a rifle.  At the end of the carnage 12 people were dead and over 40 wounded.  To make matters worse he allegedly booby-trapped his apartment in case the police went to investigate.

Colorado shooting suspect appeared groggy in court

The shooting happened early Friday morning (July 20^th).  He appeared in court yesterday with red hair and looking bizarre.  His eyes were closed and he appeared to be nodding, according to some reports.  A lot of people are screaming for the death penalty, which he can get in Colorado (photo by Keith Coffman and Mary Slosson, Reuters / July 23, 2012)

I am not a supporter of the death penalty, even in this case.  If they find this guy guilty he should spend not only the rest of his life locked up but the time should equal no less than 12 life times as well as consideration for the number of the wounded and their lives he ruined.  Even though this may be a “cut and dry” case I think giving him no less than 1020 years plus an additional 480 for the wounded is proper.   I wnt this guy to be able to think about every life he destroyed

ELDER ISSUES: Mom

So far I have been blessed.  Mom has gone through a third of the summer without any apparent major illness.  She complains of occasional eye pain, ear pain and an ache across her forehead, but the pain comes and goes, is not severe and is consistent with the doctor’s diagnosis that this was probably her sinuses.  In any event if it wasn’t, what would we be able to do?  At her age (approaching 85) operating is not much of an option.  She does not tolerate a lot of medication so it’s just a matter of keeping her comfortable.  As much as I love her and as much as I want to protect her from everything, 84 years of a relatively healthy life is excellent.  Besides ruining her quality of life by having to take a lot of medications  I doubt if she would follow up anyway.  For the past few years Mom has complained about various ailments, from her hip to her eyes, to her sinuses to her back.  On occasional she has seen a doctor for those ailments.   She has not done a whole lot to correct those ailments.  She has had reactions to a few prescribed medications and some over the counter stuff as well.  She will take her vitamins though.

BAD BLOGGER

Ok, I promised two days ago to write an entry every day and less than 24 hours afterwards I don't post.  Starting TODAY there will be an entry every day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

July 20 would have been Dad’s 85^th birthday.  I am not going to go on about how much I miss him.  I do wonder though what happens if I stop missing him.

ONE A DAY

My new goal is to write at least one blog a day from now until mid-September.  I am not trying to go back to my journalism days, but I do enjoy writing and creating so I should at least keep up with this.  So everyday I am going to post SOMETHING, preferably some of MY own writing.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: Homeless issues

Was listening to a report on the news today about how England dropped the ball with securing the Olympics.  Somehow the company in charge only has half the amount of security necessary.  I have to get the quote but at one point an excuse was that it wasn’t “cost effective” when questioned.  This is why you do not contract out certain things.  I thought about that in connection to some private companies here in New York feeding the homeless.

It should be no secret that even though I am for private companies assisting with feeding the hungry (I don’t know of any private business actually assisting the homeless) I am 100% against them being the go to people for feeding people.  To hell with most statistics since they only help the person providing the stats.  The bottom line is the task of feeding the hungry and assisting the homeless should come from government.

Yes, you on occasionally get “red tape” when you deal with branches of the government, but in private industry the bottom line is profit.  When you are dealing with issues like homelessness and hunger your personal profit is not what is important.  What is important is getting people from sleeping on the street and getting them someplace safe to sleep.  Yes I have a priority list of who should get assistance but the government should be the organization that leads the charge.

Once you prioritize that bottom line, which is helping people, then you can properly tackle the problems that arise.  No one should make a profit off another man’s suffering.

I think I mentioned a close friend who works with feeding the hungry and she told me a horror story of how food was being delivered from a company and some of the stuff delivered was rancid.  Some of the fruit was spoiled and other items smelled of rot.  She further amazed me by telling me they had to accept the food.  Some provision in their program made it so they have to accept everything.  What provision prevents the company from giving away food that will make another person ill?  Thankfully my friend is a Christian and took it among herself to throw out the spoiled items.  However the company that dropped that stuff off is probably getting a tax credit for providing food for the hungry.  This is wrong.  The federal and local branches of the Department of Homeless Services should be in charge of providing food to people who need it.  Let private industry provide jobs for deserving people struggling to get back into the workforce.  Instead of workfare, where you humiliate people by having them work hard labor for a welfare check, give them employment which can offset public assistance and eventually get them off the program.

JULY 11

I managed to drink a single cup more than what I usually drink the other day.  Not a soda but some water with Crystal Light.  So I had about four and a half maybe five cups of fluid yesterday.  Not acceptable.  My skin is dry and I don’t feel…right.  Today I try to match my “other fluids” with my soda intake.  I usually have a soda with my meals; one at lunch and a couple with dinner.  SO I will try to match that with three waters or three ice teas.  Today will be interesting since I will be going out to eat tonight, celebrating a friend’s birthday. 

Also plan to start taking my supplements again like vitamin C and fish oils.  I have been really lax in taking care of myself lately.  I think you get preoccupied when you have extra responsibilities like elder care.  Even when the loved one does not live with you, you tend to focus on them and you lose interest in yourself.  That should change too.  I am planning my trip to Chicago for the first weekend in August.  For anyone reading this taking care of someone other than a child, you need your recreation.  That’s is part of what keeps the caregiver healthy.

Community Leaders 'Shockingly Silent' on Gun Violence, Ray Kelly Says - DNAinfo.com New York

Community Leaders 'Shockingly Silent' on Gun Violence, Ray Kelly Says - DNAinfo.com New York

ELDER CARE: July 10

Mom complained about the pain in her forehead and her eye so she is going to call the doctor to see if she can get an appointment.

My first question was “how are you going to get there?”  .  I didn’t really get an answer to that.  I guess my mother is expecting my aunt’s home attendant to take her or she thinks she is going to get a taxi as feeble as she is.

My second question (I didn’t ask this out loud)  and it was more of a statement was that she was told before the forehead pain is connected with her sinuses.  She was told to use Allegra for that.  She won’t use drops for the eyes.   In fact there is very little she will do if it is suggested.  Some time ago my aunt made a statement regarding the use of eye drops. Because my mother’s eyes are paralyzed my aunt felt that the drops would not be helpful and may in fact be harmful being that the eyes don’t move.  On the other hand her eyes don’t generate a lot of tears so they are going to get dry.  Dry eyes cause infections.  My mother won’t take the drops so she will continue to have dry eyes. 

Even worse, she has a funny relationship with medication.  She is allergic to a few things.  Some things upset her stomach or according to her make her feel light headed.  Her bad eating habits might contribute to this.

With the transportation issue I suggested an agency that would send someone over, like a home attendant.  She wants to talk about it and get more information because she is not really comfortable with the idea of someone coming to the house  She was more open after she realized the attendants at the house were not going to assist her.  However, we have not been able to get that together over dumb stuff.  I can’t talk to her about it before three or after six when there are others in the house.  That gives me a window of 3PM to 5:30 PM.  Since I work that is not a great window for me to work from.  PLUS a few times I called she was napping and didn’t really want to talk about that.  Basically my mother is her worst enemy.   Now she is faced with the scenario I gave her, needing to see a physician and having nobody to assist her.

I am not planning on going down there.  For one I need the stability on my job.  I make peanuts and I need to stop digging in my savings to survive.  I go out there and I devour the little leave I have and my money since I will have to also take unpaid leave.

Add to the mix Mom still hasn't paid the bills so I would go to Florida and have no place to stay.  Granted I could probably stay with my aunt but that is not the point. 

I have elected to chill and try not to worry too much about the situation.  I only plan to go down there if absolutely necessary and if at all possible not before September.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Making it a point to drink more liquids.  I notice I have been drinking maybe four cups of liquid a day and definitely not just water.  I may have juice in the morning, a soda for lunch and a soda for dinner.  I am going to make a conscious effort to drink six to eight cups of something a day and not soda.  I am showing signs of dehydration and I don't need to be sick, especially during the summer.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: Elder care

I was ready to quit today.  In fact I am still considering it.  I went online and checked my mother's phone bill and she still owes AT&T $186.  I speak to her every month regarding the bills and she tells me that she is either getting them out or that she just wrote something for them.  Come to find out the phone has not been paid in three months and the electricity has just been shut off.  I am not sure about the water or the cable.  She tells me that the mortgage is current.

As I have said in previous posts my mother is a lot different to assist than my father was.  I handled all of the bills with Dad.  In 2007 or 2008 I got our accounts linked and I transferred money between the two.  The phone and cable were always on.  There was always food and snack stuff for him.  Mom is different.  She doesn't remember to pay the bills sometimes and other times she forgets to send them.  To make things worse if you remind her too many times she throws her tantrum, usually crying that you are making her nervous.  her way of getting you to leave her alone.  The problem with that is she does not want you to PAY the bill either.  She wants to do it but she isn't handling it.  So I am looking at this bill and realizing that I am supposed to be in Florida in September to take her to get blood work and to get her to the doctor and I know the lights are still more than likely out so I won't be able to stay at the house.

That's when I thought about just saying "fuckit".  For those of you who have never had to take care of the elderly you may think it is cowardly to just want to bail out, but dealing with seniors is incredibly difficult.  For the most part they will never really get better.  With children they get smarter as they get older (most of them at least).  Generally their health will get better .  Not someone in their 80s.  Healing is usually slow.  Once their mind goes it is even rougher.  Dealing with their issues is draining.  It's why I advise everyone taking care of a loved one and especially if they are senior citizens to get an outlet.  Find some way to relax or the stress will make you sick.  In my case I do have a way with dealing with the stress.  However there are days where  it is more difficult than others.  I will tell my mother she has to pay this, in part because she wants to and because I don't have the money to pay her bills even if she will pay me back.