Runny nose ruins dinner

Q. My husband gets a runny nose every time he sits down to eat, and we are stymied as to why.

He has consulted two doctors, but nothing they prescribed has helped.

We cannot sit down for a decent dinner anywhere, whether at home, friends’ homes or restaurants. We are both frustrated over this attack. It causes him much grief and interferes with him eating enough.

I hope you can give us a reasonable answer or suggest a cure.

A. Doctors call this condition “gustatory rhinitis.” It means runny nose triggered by eating.

Some physicians prescribe a nasal spray containing ipratropium (Atrovent). Others prefer to use antihistamines.

Keeping a food diary may help identify particular foods that make this reaction worse.

Q. Some time back, someone wrote to you about a problem with intestinal gases, and you recommended a seat cushion to capture the odor. You recommended a place the person could order the seat cushion as well as other products for flatulence. Could you provide those details again?

A. You may be referring to GasBGon Flatulence Filter seat cushions and carbonized undergarments. They trap odors with activated charcoal. You can find out more at GasBGon.com or by calling 877-427-2466.

For a short video about a variety of other remedies for gas, search “How to prevent flatulence” at peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I am worried about my husband. He is in his 80s and used to be active and fully engaged in our church and community.

Now he is suffering from back and leg pain, neck spasms, weakness, dizziness and brain fog.

Many days he just sits in the recliner watching television.

I wonder if his medications could be contributing to his problems. They include atenolol, simvastatin, Plavix, Nexium, meclizine, Detrol and amlodipine.

A. Older people often receive medications from a variety of specialists. This can lead to complications if no one is coordinating care.

Your husband’s pain, weakness and spasms may be related to the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin.

The bladder drug tolterodine (Detrol) could contribute to “brain fog.”

So can the drug meclizine prescribed for dizziness.

The amlodipine (Norvasc) for high blood pressure may cause dizziness and drowsiness.

If an older person falls, it can be life-threatening.

We are sending you our Guide to Drugs and Older People with lists of medicine that senior citizens should avoid along with a discussion of medications that may cause confusion. 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. O-85, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoples-pharmacy.com.

2011 King Features Syndicate, Inc.