He may perceive he needs them

Dear Dr. Gott: Could my husband be addicted to over-the-counter allergy relief pills for nasal decongestion? He never exhibits allergy symptoms, yet he continues the pills. Let’s face it, those pills aren’t that effective. He is also on medication for migraines and takes the medication as needed (which is often). Do we have a problem here?

Dear Reader: Your husband could have become habituated to anti-allergy pills, meaning that he perceives he needs them even when he may not. This is different from an addiction, when a person physically craves a drug.

For some people, antihistamine/decongestant medicine really is effective. Such medication, when appropriately used now and then during the allergy season, will relieve troublesome symptoms such as congestion, runny nose and itchy eyes.

Perhaps your husband should be examined by an allergist. The specialist may be able to discover to what your spouse is reacting. Then, rather than relying on medicine, he should be able to avoid the allergen or undergo desensitization therapy with injections.

Remember, too, that most nose-spray decongestants shouldn’t be used for more than a week at a time because of “rebound.” With prolonged use, they actually worsen congestion. Maybe this is your husband’s problem. In any case, the allergist should be able to sort things out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Allergies.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: My son is HIV positive. Since I do all his washing and clean his room, what can I do to protect myself from contracting the HIV virus?

Dear Reader: You should avoid touching his bodily secretions with your bare hands. This is certainly not a problem during normal cleaning and washing, but at least in theory, you could become infected if any of his bodily fluids enter a cut or scrape in your skin.

Therefore, if you have to clean up vomit or if he accidentally cuts himself, you should probably use rubber gloves when tending to your responsibilities.

Please note that I am purposely being over-cautious in my advice. There is little if any risk in normal social interaction within a family. Perhaps you should ask your son’s physician for more detailed and specific advice because I am not familiar with the details of the case.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am 93 and in good health except for a serious problem with balance. I tend to fall and my doctor says it is age-related and incurable. I live by myself and need your advice to stay relatively independent.

Dear Reader: At 93, you are indeed fortunate to enjoy good health, but this is not to say that the quality of your life could not improve. I recommend that you contact your local hospital and opt to join a balance program. This may be the most effective solution to your problem.