My husband has had an awful runny rose for several months. Our GP prescribed Beconase, but that hasn’t worked. What advice do you have?
Dr Ellie replies: A constantly running nose must be assessed by a GP as there could be serious causes. However, the majority of cases are triggered simply by a cold or allergies.
These issues can inflame the nasal passages, which is called rhinitis, and can also be caused by irritants such as cigarette smoke and chemicals.
Drugs such as Beconase – a nasal spray – can help relieve rhinitis as it contains steroids, which fight inflammation. However, if patients don’t respond to steroid sprays and the symptoms persist there are other possible causes.
A runny nose is a common side effect linked to several drugs, including medication for blood pressure, an enlarged prostate and erectile dysfunction Ironically, it can also be triggered by excessive use of nasal sprays, such as Beconase.
Nasal polyps – non-cancerous fleshy growths inside the nostril – could also be the culprit. Or rhinitis can be triggered by a cancerous tumour in the nose or sinuses. If polyps or tumours are suspected, patients may need a nasal endoscope, which involves threading a small camera up the nostril for a closer inspection.
The majority of runny nose cases are triggered simply by a cold or allergies, Dr Ellie says
Another reason for a runny nose could be a deviated septum. This is where the wall between the nostrils is askew, triggering a range of symptoms including infections and excess mucus.
If a deviated septum is causing severe issues, NHS patients may be offered surgery to fix it.
Last year I had surgery to fix a trapped nerve in my back. Since then my buttocks have become numb and cold, and I have a lot of pain in my legs. What could be the problem?
Dr Ellie replies: The nerves help control the movement of the body by sending messages from the brain to the limbs, but they are also crucial for sensations.
Sensory nerves – found in most parts of the body – send feelings such as pain and temperature to the brain.
A patient experiencing a change in temperature or numbness in certain parts of the body most likely has a sensory nerve problem.
If that patient has a history of nerve issues, such as trapped nerves in the back, then this could be the cause. Back surgery can also lead to nerve problems by causing swelling or accidental damage.
The good news is that, in most cases, these post-operation nerve problems pass on their own – though they can last for a year or more.
If these sensations are bothersome, a GP can prescribe nerve pain medicines such as amitriptyline or gabapentin, or a cream called capsaicin may help. It’s important that patients always report any new symptoms to their GP.
At 65 I’m fit and healthy, but I’ve been told I have high cholesterol. It’s surprising because I recently lost weight, which I put down to stress and moving house. I also have raised anti-TPO antibodies, whatever that means. Does this sound right to you?
Dr Ellie replies: Unless there is a very clear cause, weight loss over the age of 65 should always be investigated by a doctor.
Stress can sometimes lead to weight loss, usually from changes in routine or diet, but it’s unlikely to be a significant amount.
High levels of anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) antibodies can point to a condition called Hashimoto’s. This causes an underactive thyroid – the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck which produces the hormone thyroxine to regulate the body’s metabolism, or how much energy it uses.
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, with symptoms including fatigue and constipation. It can also lead to raised cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is a fatty plaque which can build up in the blood vessels and eventually trigger heart attacks and strokes.
An unfortunate side effect of thyroid problems is that they tend to raise levels of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol – the form most likely to cause health issues.
But treating a thyroid problem should lead to improved cholesterol levels.
Thyroid conditions are often straightforward to treat, but require long-term use of tablets to replace the reduced levels of thyroxine.
- Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email [email protected]
- Dr Ellie Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her replies should be taken in general context
The danger of putting off those hearing aids
The technology in hearing aids has changed a huge amount in recent years, with tiny devices that are incredibly discreet
I’m concerned that many people are putting off getting hearing aids out of embarrassment.
Loss of hearing is one of the most common problems we face in old age, but studies show that only half of people with it will get hearing aids.
And since roughly half of people over 55 have some sort of hearing loss, this means there could be millions in the UK needlessly suffering.
This choice is often out of pride. I regularly hear from patients who say they don’t want hearing aids because it will make them look old.
That doesn’t make sense, as the technology in hearing aids has changed a huge amount in recent years, with tiny devices that are incredibly discreet. But what hasn’t changed are the real dangers of putting off fixing your hearing – and I don’t just mean annoyed relatives who have to shout to be heard.
Research shows that people who fail to get hearing aids are more at risk of developing depression and even dementia, as they increasingly withdraw from social situations and become more and more isolated.
- Did you or a loved one put off getting hearing aids? What changed your mind? Please write to [email protected] and let me know.
