After treating my viral fever for one week I developed dry cough again with no reason. I was already tested for Strep throat and certain other conditions. And I did not know what to do as a long air journey was awaiting me in a few weeks. It then occurred to me that I could email my doctor and ask for a suggestion. The unperturbed doctor said that Post nasal drip may return in some cases after a viral fever and recommended some Over The Counter drugs.

Non allergic Rhinitis

Repeated runny or stuffy nose can be symptom of Rhinitis (Rhin meaning nose). When Rhinitis is triggered off by an allergic reaction it is called allergic Rhinitis. When the lining of your nose swells due to expanding blood vessel nose congestion occurs which results in runny nose. Post nasal drip is a characteristic of Rhinitis where one has a feeling of mucus dripping downward from the back of the nose. Sometimes Post nasal drip is the real reason behind a sore throat or a chronic cough. Rhinitis affects both children and adults alike. Rhinitis is a very common condition and around 50 million Americans are affected by Rhinitis.

There are different kinds of Non allergic Rhinitis. The common types are:

1. Vasomotor Rhinitis (Irritant Rhinitis) - An idiopathic type of Rhinitis which causes constant runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Neither allergic or infectious, it is poorly understood and is difficult to treat. Since the causes are unknown doctors generally ask the patients to avoid humid weather, smoking, exposure to scents and odors in the air and emotional stress- or any activity that many cause swelling in the extra-sensitive blood vessels of the nose. There are medications available to treat Vasomotor Rhinitis and surgical procedures are also considered in extreme cases.
2. Eosinophilic Rhinitis- is characterized by the presence of a particular white blood cell, the eosinophil, in the nasal discharge. Patients have a runny nose and bouts of sneezing often triggered by weather changes. They may also develop noncancerous growths in the nose called nasal polyps.
3. Rhinitis Medicamentosa- This condition is related to certain medications like the drugs used for hypertension, certain diuretics and decongestants. By discontinuing the drug or the offending nasal spray you can find relief from Rhinitis Medicamentosa.
4. Neutrophilic Rhinosinusitis - An infection (sinus or cold) is often the cause of this type of Rhinitis. It is accompanied by sinus pain and Post nasal drip and is treated by decongestants and antibiotics.
5. Atrophic Rhinitis- is chronic as the mucous membranes thin (atrophies) and harden, widening and drying out the nasal passage. It is often seen in older people, in people whose sinus has been removed and in those with a prolonged bacterial infection of the lining of the nose. It is a serious condition as it can lead to loss of smell in some. Medical or surgical treatment is available for Atrophic Rhinitis.

The common causes of nonallergic rhinitis are:

• Smoke or fume
• Certain odors
• Temperature and humidity
• Atmospheric changes
• Other irritants

Symptoms

People with Rhinitis should avoid exposure to fumes and irritants and stop prolonged use of nasal sprays. Women should take extra care during menstruation and pregnancy as the condition can worsen when you have hormonal changes. Asthma, lupus and hormonal disorders may also have adverse effect on the condition. If self care and Over-the-counter medications do not show any effect on the symptoms and if the symptoms interfere with your normal life you should not hesitate to seek medical attention.

-Aparna K V

Knee pain sounds normal to me as my grandmother and her peer groups often complain about knee pain and inflammations. More than a quarter of the American population suffer from knee problems after they pass the age of 45. Your knee is a vulnerable joint which can get hurt easily. It is so due to its structure, location and use. The common problems which affect knee are Sprained knee ligaments, Jumper’s knee and Kneecap pain. But did you know that your knee pain can be due to various factors? It can be the result of an injury like Bursitis, Tendinitis or ligament injuries, medical conditions like Gout, Arthritis or infections or even due to the dislocation of kneecap.

Symptoms

• Ligament Injuries- If you happened to twist or bend you knee too far in a wrong direction you may get a sprain. The ligament may also tear as a result of this. A tear in one of the four ligaments of the knee can cause immediate pain as you walk or try to bend your knee. You may also feel your knee to be weak and hear it make a popping sound.
• Dislocated Kneecap, Patella Injuries or Kneecap Pain-- The bone (patella) that covers the front of the knee may slip out of place causing severe pain and swelling. You may be able to see the dislocation of the bone. Knee pain after prolonged sitting or descending stairs relates to patella injuries.
• Bursitis and Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)- The bursa or the small sac of fluid that cushions the knee joint may get torn due to injuries as in sports or other activities of the like. It may cause red, inflamed and painful knees. You will have pain while climbing up and down the stairs and while kneeling down. Athletes or runners may injure their tendons of the knees leading to inflammation and pain. They cannot run, jump or straighten their knees without causing further pain. Jumper’s knee causes pain right below your knees and is seen mostly in basketball and volleyball players.
• Meniscus Injuries- The injury or tear in the cartilage (meniscus) can cause a lot of pain. The two menisci located in the inside and the outside of the knee distributes the body weight across the knee joint. The injury to the menisci can be due to old age or physical exertion. It results in agony, limited joint movement and tenderness.
• Septic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis- Septic Arthritis is mostly a bacterial (or fungal) infection in the knee that results in pain, swelling and at times fever. It may lead to many complications including death. People with infected blood, a traumatic injury or a joint replacement surgery are under the risk of getting infections in the knee. Rheumatoid arthritis may not have symptoms in the beginning as it is an autoimmune disease. It causes chronic inflammation of the joints with pain, stiffness and redness. Osteoarthritis is degenerative and is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage. It may occur as you age or may be secondary to some medical condition like obesity or a surgery.

You can take care of your knee pain at home by taking some additional care. You will require a surgery only in a very advanced stage. What matters here is protection and adequate rest.

Protect you knees. A compression wrap may work for most of the minor injuries.Take a break from any activity that may cause pain or soreness to the knee. Use padding to protect any possible repetitive injuries. Rest your joints to avoid straining the areas. It will give the injured area enough time to heal. After giving rest, start by gentle exercises and stretching. When resting, place a small pillow under your knee to prop up. Elevate your knee above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. You can do this as you ice the area or when you sit or lie down. Compression (wrap or brace) will help to reduce swelling and to keep the patella in tact. You can get an elastic or neoprene sleeve with a hole to hold your kneecap in place. Icing is another way to reduce inflammation for both acute and chronic injuries. It can be done for 10-15 minutes at a time. Take an OTC pill (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)to relieve the pain.

We all know that prevention is easier and cheaper. In order to prevent knee problems stretch your muscles in the front and back of your thighs well. You can also try Hamstring stretch and Knee-to-chest stretch. Forget high-heels. Use proper footwear for running (shoes with arch support) or related activities. Reduce weight if it adds stress to your knees. Quit