People’s Pharmacy: Cold remedy may wipe out sense of smell

Q. I just read a question about Zicam Cold Remedy. Here is another instance of loss of sense of smell from this zinc nasal gel.

My sister took it recently and immediately lost her sense of smell. Her doctors say she will be lucky to get 30 percent back. After five weeks, she has barely any sense of smell. She is a medical practitioner and knew how to follow the directions explicitly.

A. Consumer Reports (January 2007) notes that “studies with animals and case reports suggest that nasal zinc may cause loss of smell, possibly permanent. Last year we (CR) unearthed more than 200 complaints to the Food and Drug Administration about an impaired sense of smell, taste, or both after using zinc nasal products.”

People who want to take zinc to fight cold symptoms might want to stick with zinc pills or lozenges so that nasal passages are not directly exposed.

Q. I run at least 30 miles a week, and I do strength training three times a week. I maintain a healthy weight of 125 pounds, and most of the time my blood pressure is around 110/60.

As you know, blood pressure can vary during the day. Whenever I go to my doctor, it skyrockets, but soon afterward it goes back to normal.

My doctor wants to put me on a diuretic indefinitely, but I disagree. I used to take a prescription antihypertensive, but I would get very dizzy. When I told the doc, he cut my dose of HCTZ in half, but I still got dizzy. Is there anything besides prescription medication that can keep my blood pressure down?

A. You are experiencing “white-coat hypertension.” This happens in the doctor’s office when someone wearing a white coat and carrying a stethoscope takes your blood pressure.

A study in Italy several years ago showed that most people (47 out of 48) experienced a boost in blood pressure within two minutes of the doctor walking into the room. For some people, that hike in pressure was enough to qualify them as hypertensive, even if prior blood pressures were within the normal range.

There are a number of ways to lower blood pressure without medications. Releasing stress through relaxation and avoiding situations that bring out hostile feelings are important tactics that are often overlooked. Eating lots of high-potassium, high-fiber vegetables and fruits also can help.

We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment with a discussion of many nondrug options and ways to deal with white-coat hypertension. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (63 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. B-67, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. An article on menopause in the newspaper quoted an expert (OB/GYN) that “virtually everybody can use topical estrogen.” How much estrogen is absorbed into the body?

I was diagnosed with estrogen-positive breast cancer and was taken off all estrogens. While the few hot flashes are annoying, they are tolerable. The vaginal discomfort is not. Can you confirm that, yes, virtually all women can use Premarin cream?

A. The estrogen in Premarin Vaginal Cream is easily absorbed into the body (Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 14, 1979). Discuss this issue with your oncologist, since this product could be inappropriate for you.