Sex and Sinuses
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lmost as prevalent as are colds and sinus infections.
How often have you noticed that
your true love was using some mystic fragrance behind her ears and
“elsewhere?” Or, how he changes aftershave so often? Just when you got
used to the old one, another one comes along. It’s hard to say something like, “I love you, and you smell nice,
but could you not use...” We hear people say, “Something sure is musky in here. It’s just a
little cold. “I just had the house sprayed for roaches - could that have affected
me, doc?” My husband sleeps with a teddy bear. I love him, but I haven’t
been able to breathe for the last three years.
I’ve been having trouble breathing for months. Yes, I smoke, and I do
use hair spray, and aerosol deodorant, and perfume, and cologne...”
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ext to our reactions to body odor and bad breath, our reactions to odors, fumes and fragrances are some of the most difficult feelings to express, especially if some danger exists in threatening another person. No one, after all, wants to be rejected. What, then, is a soul to do?
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et’s start by discussing the basis underlying the
effects of what we breathe and what happens when we have colds, coughs and
allergies. We’ve all heard of
conjunctivitis (pink eye), allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, allergy and
post-nasal drip. We’ve all had colds, coughs, stuffy noses and plugged ears.
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et’s start by discussing the basis underlying the
effects of what we breathe and what happens when we have colds, coughs and
allergies. We’ve all heard of
conjunctivitis (pink eye), allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, allergy and
post-nasal drip. We’ve all had colds, coughs, stuffy noses and plugged ears.
The nose is the main entrance to our
respiratory system and is lined with a mucous membrane containing many tiny
blood vessels close to the surface. This membrane, with varying degrees of
thickness, extends and lines the sinuses, conjunctiva (whites of the eyes),
eustachian tube (to the
ear), and the respiratory tree.
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llergies
to such things as pollen, dog or cat
hairs, skin particles (dander), feathers, miniscule mites in house dust, bee
stings, foods like strawberries, shellfish, eggs and milk, as well as exposure
to certain drugs, inhaled irritants, vigorous exercise, and psychological stress
may trigger the release of histamine, a body chemical. This may in turn
cause inflammation and fluid production in this fragile lining of mucous
membrane. Colds from viruses and bacteria can produce similar effects.
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his inflammation leads to symptoms of stuffy nose and sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, loss of smell, and dry throat. Repeated attacks bring chronic inflammation, with thickening and distortion of the mucous membrane lining, causing narrowing and eventual obstruction of the bronchial muscles, and wheezing.
It doesn’t have to be a difficult problem. Honesty,
certainly, trite but true - is a most effective policy. More than equally
important is tact. And certainly, we cannot forget the simple awareness and responsibility
of each of us for not polluting the environment -
ours and others.
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n this sea of scent, however, the elimination of fragrances and fumes is not practical - Or is it? “Doe, I want to stop smoking ... People keep telling me the smoke bothers them. They don’t let me smoke on the plane, in the office...”
Yes, although we
can’t stop the world from affecting us, there are ways we can stop ourselves
from making ourselves worse. If you are stuffed-up most of the time,
or if you find yourself identifying with the symptoms described above, ask
yourself if you are making yourself worse. Analyze
your environment, the reactions of others, your foods, your home, your bedroom -
pillows, clothes, soap, family habits, perfumes, after-shave, cleaning fluids,
chemicals - as well as your most cherished habits (remember Teddy?).
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f
an avoidance of potential or chronic irritants provides little or no relief,
consider a visit to your doctor. In addition to a series of questions and/or
diagnostic tests (allergies, x-rays, pulmonary function), he may recommend one
or more of several types of medication, including nasal spray, antibiotics,
anti-inflammaatories, antihistamines, bronchodilators (to open breathing tubes),
steroids (hormones) or allergy shots.
Just remember
what you smell, if you still are able to smell anything, may be yourself; I
looked at the enemy and the enemy was….
Eh…. What’s Up, Doc?