The People's Pharmacy || Vicks VapoRub could harm lungs

Q. I went to the hospital for an unrelated problem that prompted an X-ray and CT scan. The doctors found five nodules in my lungs.

I met with a pulmonologist to discuss this.

After I mentioned that I put Vicks in my nostrils every night, as I have for 10 years, and he looked at my CT scan, he diagnosed me with lipoid pneumonia.

I am 41 and in very good health, so this was quite a surprise.

I thought it was important to share.

A. Several years ago, we started warning readers not to put Vicks VapoRub in their nostrils.

A pulmonologist alerted us to the possibility that one of the ingredients in Vicks, petrolatum, could get into the lungs and cause chronic inflammation.

We got quite a few indignant responses from people who said they had been doing this for years.

Here is just one example: “I read your warning not to put Vicks VapoRub in your nose. That’s stupid. I’ve been stuffing my nose with Vicks for years, and I have never once come down with pneumonia. You can tell that to your know-it-all doctor. You shouldn’t buy into everything that doctors tell you.”

Your experience demonstrates that the pulmonologist’s warning was on target.

Thank you for letting us know.

Q. I am in good health but have trouble both getting to sleep and staying asleep.

This may run in the family, since my dad also had trouble with insomnia.

I have tried everything under the sun and moon, but nothing seems to work completely.

I am now taking Ambien, and I wonder if it would be safe to add melatonin to it.

Can you send me any information to help with this problem?

A. We found only one study that addressed your question. Researchers in France found that elderly volunteers were more sedated soon after taking slow-release melatonin plus Ambien than after taking either pill alone (Human Psychopharmacology, December 2008). The next day, though, memory and motor skills were no worse than when people took Ambien alone. There were no safety problems, but be sure to go straight to bed after taking your sleeping pills.

You also may want to consider some nondrug approaches. We are sending you our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep with a list of dos and don’ts, as well as foods, herbs and other supplements that can be helpful. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. I-70, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy: Mother Nature’s Medicine.”

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.