Talk Cancer

Question:

What brand name of saline solution do you suggest? And can I buy it over the counter? And how often do I use it? CCCrunchie

Response:

I am fully aware of the consequences of smoking, and I am trying to stop……or at least cut-down. Non-smokers or people that have never smoked a cigarette in their life, cannot fully understand what it is like to have a smoking addiction. But thanks for the feedback. CCCrunchie

Response:

On Wed, 27 Dec 2000 08:59:35 -0500 (EST), CCCru…@webtv.net wrote: >What brand name of saline solution do you suggest? >And can I buy it over the counter? >And how often do I use it?

Mixing your own is cheapest and easy and avoids possibily irritating additives and preservatives.  Roughly two parts salt to one part baking soda.  I use a teaspoon salt, half teaspoon baking soda to warm water in the waterpic reservoire.  The FAQ has a good discussion on this.  Breathe-ease is ready-made and has extra goodies that help more — you probably have to order it from Hydro-Med.

Response:

CCCru…@webtv.net wrote: > I am fully aware of the consequences of smoking, > and I am trying to stop……or at least cut-down. > Non-smokers or people that have never smoked a cigarette in their life, > cannot fully understand what it is like to have a smoking addiction.

I do have some idea what it’s like.  I remember when my mother tried to quit smoking when I was a kid.  And currently I have a dear friend who has tried repeatedly to quit smoking, failing every time. Have you tried Zyban, nicotine patches, all the available remedies?   There are many options today. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Email:  s…@mitre.org                 Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein             are not those of my employer.

Response:

I’m a smoker too CCChrunch. I know what you mean. But, since I have sinus problems I really cant complain about them too much since I am making it worse by smoking. Well, yes, I still complain… Non smokers will always say "just quit" and all that but they dont understand what the addiction is like. How smoking is tied directly to our emotions and how are bodies are physically addicted to that crap. Its the worst decision I ever made in my life…at 16 yrs old I thought it would be cool….now, at 31, I regret that first puff. It has changed my body for the worst. But, anyways, when you feel you are ready is when you will do it…same for me. The thing we need to understand is how it is impacting our present health. In that realization we’ll see just how we must try and quit. Good luck. Brian

Response:

On Tue, 02 Jan 2001 15:17:42 GMT, "Brian S. C." <Brians…@yahoo.com> wrote: >But, anyways, when you feel you are ready is when you will do it…same >for me. The thing we need to understand is how it is impacting our >present health. In that realization we’ll see just how we must try and >quit.

It *can* be done.  I started at 14, peaked at about three packs a day, and quit at 27, almost thirty years ago.  Quitting was so hard that I never dared relapse, since I knew I’d never muster the gumption to quit again.    

Response:

I smoke cigarettes. I wonder if I stop, will my post nasal drip stop? I have tried antibiotics, cough medicine, nose spray…….. And this time it won’t stop the drip. My tonsils and uvula are swollen, and I have constant drippage, also a white substance coated on the back of my tongue….(Related??). Is my affliction due to long term smoking (2 packs for 20 years) or an infection?? (I can’t get rid of?) Any opinion will help CCCrunchie

Response:

On Tue, 26 Dec 2000 00:38:29 -0500 (EST), CCCru…@webtv.net wrote: >I smoke cigarettes. >I wonder if I stop, >will my post nasal drip stop? >I have tried antibiotics, cough medicine, nose spray…….. >And this time it won’t stop the drip. >My tonsils and uvula are swollen, and I have constant drippage, also a >white substance coated on the back of my tongue….(Related??). >Is my affliction due to long term smoking (2 packs for 20 years) >or an infection?? (I can’t get rid of?) >Any opinion will help

I do not think it is possible to say without a physical exam (and we haven’t got around to doing those yet in the newsgroup though we come close <g>). I would suggest seeing an otolaryngologist and an allergist and seeing what they say.  (Allergists deal in more than just allergies, and are good at medical management, as opposed to surgical).  Do not rely on GP’s or family doctors. Smoke can paralyze the cilia, which clear the sinuses.   But once chronic infection or inflammation has set in in the nose and sinuses, it often will not resolve even when the original cause is removed (whether that be allergies, smoke exposure, etc.) without medical treatment. I would forget the over-the-counter remedies other than saline spray (which is good) until you get a diagnosis.

Response:

In article <25081-3A482ED5…@storefull-617.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,   CCCru…@webtv.net wrote: > I smoke cigarettes. > I wonder if I stop, > will my post nasal drip stop? > I have tried antibiotics, cough medicine, nose spray…….. > And this time it won’t stop the drip. > My tonsils and uvula are swollen, and I have constant drippage, also a > white substance coated on the back of my tongue….(Related??). > Is my affliction due to long term smoking (2 packs for 20 years) > or an infection?? (I can’t get rid of?) > Any opinion will help

============================ You say about smoking "I wonder if I stop,  will my post nasal drip stop?" Why the hell don’t you TRY stopping the smoking and SEE??? If stopping the smoking does NOT help you then you can always resume it. I’ll say the same thing to you as I said to Andrew– STOP SMOKING!!! YES I would say it will help your post nasal drip. You poor body is being abused and is crying out for help. I got blasted here not too long ago for being too’harsh’ because I told someone they had  not sufferred enough and when they had  had enough sufferring they would begin to take the steps needed to help themsleves to good  sinus health. Evidently you have not sufferrred enough you are doing one of the most self  destructive things anyone can do to their entire body-lungs, heart, brain my goodness  smoking is even a risk factor for bladder cancer! Not to mention sinus health!  STOP IT! The resources for quitting smoking have never been better or more avaliable. My 55  year old sister-in-law  who has smoked since a teen  quit last year over a 3 month period using the nicotine  patch, wellbutrin Rx, and a stop-smoking class. If she can do it then so can YOU! She was  addicted and smoked 2-3 packs a day. As Don says, once you damage the sinus tissues and the cillia, the process fo bad sinus health is set in motion and become self- perpetuating.  You only have ONE body— take care of it– PLEASE. Get some counseling you probably have anxiety issues or low self esteem and you need mental health help.  Nestora Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -nestora3…@my-deja.com wrote: >  CCCrunchie–listen here— you say you are > DRY ?? DRY?? > DRY is NOT good for sinus health you want > the sinuses to be moist! > The reason you notice post nasal drip is everything is too dry from those > damn cigs you are smoking you fool. > You need moisture – take some guaifenesin! > Expectorants and mucolytic agents such as >  guaifenesin are VERY helpful to thin the sinus >  mucus to promote drainage. You should try those >  and drink water! And hot tea! >  You gotta gotta gotta drink lots of water !!! >  Please look into guaifenesin. >  For moisture & to thin mucus, I take >  a prescription form of guaifenesin with lots of water every day. > Like 2- 3 quarts per day. >  If you take guaifenesin every day and drink lots of water you will be >  moisturizing your nose from the inside aout and thinning your >  mucus so it can slide un-noticed by you down your throat as it is > supposed to do. >  Ask your doc to prescribe some form of guaifenesin like 2 600 mg tablets > am and pm to start with maybe you can take less later on. >  Be sure and carry spray saline with you and spray your nose throughout > the day. DRINK LOTS OF HOT TEA!! > No antihistaimines–they dry you out. > NO MORE DAMN CIGARETTES you are ruining yourself. You > are paralyzing your cilia! STOP! > I just read today that smoking is a risk factor for > macular degeneration.

You would be amazed how many things smoking is a risk factor for. I suggest any cigarette smoker pay their local hospital a visit, and check out the Pulmonary Department and the patients there.  This will give that cigarette smoker a peek into his/her own future. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Email:  s…@mitre.org                 Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein             are not those of my employer.

Response:

 CCCrunchie–listen here— you say you are DRY ?? DRY?? DRY is NOT good for sinus health you want the sinuses to be moist! The reason you notice post nasal drip is everything is too dry from those damn cigs you are smoking you fool. You need moisture – take some guaifenesin! Expectorants and mucolytic agents such as  guaifenesin are VERY helpful to thin the sinus  mucus to promote drainage. You should try those  and drink water! And hot tea!  You gotta gotta gotta drink lots of water !!!  Please look into guaifenesin.  For moisture & to thin mucus, I take  a prescription form of guaifenesin with lots of water every day. Like 2- 3 quarts per day.  If you take guaifenesin every day and drink lots of water you will be  moisturizing your nose from the inside aout and thinning your  mucus so it can slide un-noticed by you down your throat as it is supposed to do.  Ask your doc to prescribe some form of guaifenesin like 2 600 mg tablets am and pm to start with maybe you can take less later on.  Be sure and carry spray saline with you and spray your nose throughout the day. DRINK LOTS OF HOT TEA!! No antihistaimines–they dry you out. NO MORE DAMN CIGARETTES you are ruining yourself. You are paralyzing your cilia! STOP! I just read today that smoking is a risk factor for macular degeneration.  Now here is what I want you to do: 1 irrigate with warm saline 2. take guaifenesin/drink water and hot tea 3. see your doc regarding #2-and ask about the nicotine patch 4. ask doc to send you to a stop smoking class 5. throw away the damn cigs Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

CCCru…@webtv.net wrote: > I smoke cigarettes. > I wonder if I stop, > will my post nasal drip stop? > I have tried antibiotics, cough medicine, nose spray…….. > And this time it won’t stop the drip. > My tonsils and uvula are swollen, and I have constant drippage, also a > white substance coated on the back of my tongue….(Related??). > Is my affliction due to long term smoking (2 packs for 20 years) > or an infection?? (I can’t get rid of?) > Any opinion will help

I think you should quit smoking, whether it helps the post nasal drip or not.  Smoking is hazardous to your entire body.  And if you did pick up a sinus infection, smoking will hinder the body’s ability to rid itself of the infection. An ENT can check out both your post nasal drip and your throat.  I’m concerned about that "white substance"–you need to make sure it’s not the start of leukoplakia. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Email:  s…@mitre.org                 Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein             are not those of my employer.

Response:

I think my sinus infection has broken. This morning I had excess drippage, so Bad infact that I was gagging and throwing up….horrible Then I took a contact severe cold tablet, and tonight my drippage is hardly noticable, The dryest I have felt in months. My mouth is extremely dry. Anyhow, I am going to ENT tomorrow to get checked out, and my tongue. I don’t think it’s Leokolakia. It is a white substance only isolated to the back of my tongue which scrapes off… Last week, I had my gums cleaned, maybe that has to do with that. Anyhow, thanks for your comments. And any other feedback is helpful. CCCrunchie

Response:

WHAT is Post Nasal Drip? My Mother always told me it was that occasional dripping feeling and sound of watery mucous dripping off the uvula. Now I read that its that thick mucous that slips down the back of the throat in sheets! WHICH IS IT?? — My Personal Site http://mywebpages.comcast.net/preesi/Begin.html (Hear me Bitch, Moan and Complain, Cook One of My Recipes, Play One of My Games, Peruse My Links THEN, Sign My Guestbook Dagnammit! LOL) What Is Really Eating You? http://mywebpages.comcast.net/preesi/BDA.htm (My Before, During and After Pics.) Where I Go For Fun and Friendship: http://www.paltalk.com (Find Flirts R Us! I’m usually there!)

Response:

On Tue, 20 May 2003 19:30:57 -0400, "Preesi" <pre…@comcast.net> wrote: >WHAT is Post Nasal Drip? >My Mother always told me it was that occasional dripping feeling and sound >of >watery mucous dripping off the uvula. >Now I read that its that thick mucous that slips down the back of the throat >in >sheets! >WHICH IS IT??

Those are just variants of the same thing. A normal individual with no sinusitis would not feel either sensation.

Response:

I can recommend that you only use  Rhinocort,   i use it and helps me 100% you should think about stop smoking though, that it will trigger you’re allergies and what might you have.    Kevin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Zach wrote: >I can’t offer any relief but smoking is a very big deal!  Doctors should >have told you that by now. Not only is it a problem for the smoker but it >can trigger trouble in anyone around the smoke especially children. This is >what I have learned anyway from researching the internet. >Wish I could offer you some. I am suffering too! And might I add this cold >weather isn’t helping! lol Hope you feel better. >"Natalie Hewitt" <n.hew…@bigpond.com> wrote in message >news:Es_G9.89218$g9.250912@newsfeeds.bigpond.com… >>Hello everyone!! >>I’ll start by saying I’ve already had four nose operations for my chronic >>sinusitis, but this is my first bout of sinusitis plus Post Nasal Drip. >>I’ve read posts by others but no-one seems to mention it.  Is it supposed >to >>feel like I have a tennis ball stuck in my throat?  My throat is >constantly >>inflamed, swollen and phlegmy, it affects my speech and breathing.  Are >>there other sufferers out there?  My sinusitis also causes my ears to be >>blocked constantly, affecting my hearing.  Do you have any remedies for >>this.  I am a smoker, and I know that doesn’t help any but I’m sure the >>smokes aren’t causing too much of a problem. >>I’ve tried nasonex and rhinocort and a hundred other medications but they >>seem to make the blockage worse. >>I’d really like some advice. >>Thanks >>Brad

Response:

HYPERVISCOELASTICITY OF EPIPHARYNGEAL MUCUS MAY INDUCE GLOBUS PHARYNGIS YOSAKU SHIOMI, MD, PHD YOSHIKO SHIOMI, MD NAOHARU ODA, MD SHINJI HOSODA, MD MATSUE, JAPAN Detailed observation reveals a lump of translucent sticky mucus standing in the epipharynx of most globus patients, suggesting that the mucus adherent to the epipharynx causes a globus sensation. The epipharyngeal mucus of 70 consecutive globus patients was sampled via the nasal cavity. Fucose and sialic acid, the determinants of the viscoelasticity of mucus, were measured. Twenty-three patients were also asked to complete the Throat Questionnaire so we could evaluate the correlation between the degree of globus sensation and the viscoelasticity of the mucus. The mucus of 10 healthy subjects was sampled, analyzed, and compared with the data of the patients. The fucose and sialic acid concentrations found in the patients with globus pharyngis were significantly higher than those in the control subjects (Mann-Whitney U test, p < .01). The fucose concentrations correlated significantly with the globus pharyngis scores (Spearman correlation, p < .05). We conclude that there is a close association between stagnant mucus in the epipharynx and globus sensation. (Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2002:1116-1119.) Wjat this means is that thick mucus can cause the symptoms you describe. Thins the mucus. Ask your doctor about using the Hydro Pulse to restore the cilia function and clear the thick mucus. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com http://www.TinnitusRelief.net http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic516.htm

Response:

I can’t offer any relief but smoking is a very big deal!  Doctors should have told you that by now. Not only is it a problem for the smoker but it can trigger trouble in anyone around the smoke especially children. This is what I have learned anyway from researching the internet. Wish I could offer you some. I am suffering too! And might I add this cold weather isn’t helping! lol Hope you feel better. "Natalie Hewitt" <n.hew…@bigpond.com> wrote in message

news:Es_G9.89218$g9.250912@newsfeeds.bigpond.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello everyone!! > I’ll start by saying I’ve already had four nose operations for my chronic > sinusitis, but this is my first bout of sinusitis plus Post Nasal Drip. > I’ve read posts by others but no-one seems to mention it.  Is it supposed to > feel like I have a tennis ball stuck in my throat?  My throat is constantly > inflamed, swollen and phlegmy, it affects my speech and breathing.  Are > there other sufferers out there?  My sinusitis also causes my ears to be > blocked constantly, affecting my hearing.  Do you have any remedies for > this.  I am a smoker, and I know that doesn’t help any but I’m sure the > smokes aren’t causing too much of a problem. > I’ve tried nasonex and rhinocort and a hundred other medications but they > seem to make the blockage worse. > I’d really like some advice. > Thanks > Brad

Response:

Hello everyone!! I’ll start by saying I’ve already had four nose operations for my chronic sinusitis, but this is my first bout of sinusitis plus Post Nasal Drip. I’ve read posts by others but no-one seems to mention it.  Is it supposed to feel like I have a tennis ball stuck in my throat?  My throat is constantly inflamed, swollen and phlegmy, it affects my speech and breathing.  Are there other sufferers out there?  My sinusitis also causes my ears to be blocked constantly, affecting my hearing.  Do you have any remedies for this.  I am a smoker, and I know that doesn’t help any but I’m sure the smokes aren’t causing too much of a problem. I’ve tried nasonex and rhinocort and a hundred other medications but they seem to make the blockage worse. I’d really like some advice. Thanks Brad

Response: