Cause of eternal runny nose may be pollution, medications

Dear Dr. Gott: What treatment is available for vasomotor rhinitis? My 41-year-old daughter was diagnosed with this. She is married, has a daughter and lives in London. Her condition prevents her from working full time at any job. Please help!

Dear Reader: Vasomotor rhinitis is a condition that causes a constant runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. It is not caused by an infection or allergy. Symptoms are often triggered by certain medications, air pollution, strong emotions, dry atmosphere, spicy foods or other irritants.

The condition is similar to that associated with minor upper-respiratory infections and allergies but without an obvious cause. Without knowing what the triggers are, treatment can be difficult.

I suggest your daughter keep a journal of her daily activities and substances to which she is exposed. For example, are her symptoms worse when the air is dry or when she is upset? By keeping a daily record, she might be able to spot patterns that will allow her to reduce or prevent contact with the offending trigger(s).

Decongestants and antihistamine or steroid nasal sprays may bring symptoms under better control. Your daughter should be under the care of an otolaryngologist (ear-nose-and-throat specialist). He or she can then help her develop a treatment plan.

Now to a related, but perhaps not medical, topic. You say your daughter cannot hold down a full-time job because of this condition. I find this incredibly hard to believe. She appears to be using this benign yet annoying condition as an excuse. No one likes having a drippy nose or sneezing, but to claim it prevents full-time employment is rubbish.

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 self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I have found the simplest, cheapest and tastiest cure for aging and symptoms of growing older. Simply take two Oreo cookies (regular, not the light ones) and separate them carefully so that all the cream ends up on one half of the cookie. Then take the two cream halves and place one blue M&M on one and a green on the other. Eat the blue M&M cookie before dinner and the green one after.

After a dozen years of this regimen, I feel younger, happier and more satisfied in life. Could this be the fountain of youth?

Dear Reader: I certainly hope so! My only question to you is, what do you do with the two non-cream-covered halves? If I ate those pieces, would the effects be reversed or voided out?

Readers, please let me know what you think of this possible “fountain of youth.” Give it a try and tell me if you feel happier and younger. If it works, we may have found something worthy of scientific study!

Thanks for sharing your positively delicious “remedy” for old age.