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Tuesday, June 8, 2010 – Daily News – 3B Clearing the air genetically Keep a journal for rhinitis Dear Annie: I have two wonder- ful cousins, a brother and sister related to me through their father. Both are now in their 50s and have seven children between them. About 12 years ago, my step- mother spilled the beans and told me that our cousins are not biologically related to us because their parents had to resort to artificial insemination (using donor sperm) in order to become pregnant. I confirmed this story with my mother. She said my aunt and uncle had promised to tell the kids the truth someday. Annie, I don’t believe my cousins were ever told, because I occasion- ally hear comments from them about how neither they nor their children look like anyone on their father’s side of the family. My aunt and uncle Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar have since died. I love my cousins regardless of parentage, but don’t they deserve to have their genetic information? One of the cousins has Crohn’s disease. Other things could come up. — Loving Cousin in Philly Dear Philly: If your stepmother knows this story, chances are your cousins have heard it, too. And you are right — they should have their medical history for themselves and their children. It would be best if one of their par- ents’ contemporaries talked to them — perhaps your mother would be willing. Otherwise, you can gently broach the sub- ject by asking whether they have their complete genetic background. Dear Annie: My elderly moth- er needs full-time care. She has paid caregivers who come to her home every day, and I stay with her about 30 hours a week, as well as tend to her finances, take her to the doctor, etc. My retired sister, ‘‘Lois,’’ helps out six hours to nine hours a week, but will not stay with Mom on weekends, so I do it. I have struggled with resentment toward my sis- ter, but felt I was making progress until yesterday. One of my friends informed me that Lois had invited her and her hus- band to see a play with them. Not only can I not imagine why Lois would be asking my friends to a social engagement, but they all knew I would be unable to go because I was watching Mom (not that I would have been asked). Am I wrong to be upset with both Lois and my friends? — Stressed and Depressed Dear Stressed: It was insensitive of your friends to let you know they were enjoying an event that excluded you, but it’s their business where they go and with whom. Your real issue is with Lois, who enjoys herself while you are taking care of Mom, and does so in a way that underscores your inability to socialize. There is always one sibling who takes on more caregiving duties than the others. If you resent not having time to yourself, see whether one of Mom’s caregivers can relieve you on an occasional week- end, and ask Lois to help pay for it. Also contact the Family Caregiver Alliance (caregiver.org) at 1-800-445-8106. Dear Annie: This is for ‘‘Now or Later,’’ whose husband thinks he should attend the funerals rather than visit relatives while they are still living. I have three younger sisters, none of whom has visited me in more than 30 years, and it’s not the money. They all travel extensively. When I asked why they never visit, two said, ‘‘I don’t have time,’’ and the other said, ‘‘Your husband once hurt my feelings.’’ Consequently, with tear-filled eyes, I have requested that my family not notify them of my death until after the funer- al. I can’t tell you how it hurts to know they could suddenly find the time to attend a memorial service when they will not make it a priority to visit me while I am still living. — Brokenhearted Dear Brokenhearted: Too many people put off seeing loved ones until it’s too late. Or worse, they think their presence at a funeral will give oth- ers the impression that they cared. Hopefully, some readers will see themselves and make plans for a visit. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.n et, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 79-year-old male who has a chronic runny nose, diagnosed as vasomotor rhinitis. An ENT doctor told me that it is incur- able. I have tried at least 10 dif- ferent nasal sprays, the most recent being ipratropium bro- mide. It helped for a while, but is no longer effective. Any suggestions? Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READER: Vasomo- tor rhinitis occurs because the blood vessels in the lining of the nose swell. This stimulates the mucous glands in the nose, resulting in a chronic stuffy/runny nose. While not harmful, the condition can be extremely annoy- ing. Causes vary from person to person but can include medications, weather changes, specific foods, irritants in the air and chronic health conditions. Perhaps if we consider each possibili- ty, we can zero in on the cause of your rhinitis. Medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, sedatives, antidepressants and those taken for hypertension, erectile dysfunction and oral contra- ceptives, can trigger activity. Even the decongestant nasal sprays you have tried can cause negative symptoms. Changes in temperature and humid- ity can cause nasal membranes to swell, resulting in a runny nose. Specific foods, primarily those that are spicy, and alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine, trigger such activity. Irritants in the air you breathe — perfumes, pet dander, secondhand smoke, chemicals from a nearby plant or factory, dust, flowers in bloom and a host of other triggers — can be to blame. Lastly, medical conditions such as nasal polyps, middle-ear infections, stress, hypothyroidism and hormonal changes can be to blame. A physician listening to the pre- senting symptoms will likely make the diagnosis; he or she may have to rule out the possibility of allergies through skin or blood testing. During skin testing, the skin is exposed to small amounts of common airborne allergens, such as those from pollen, cats, dogs or dust mites. Blood tests measure the amount of specific antibodies in the blood. In an attempt to rule out sinus issues, a CT scan, a form of computerized X-ray, or nasal endoscopy, accom- plished with the assistance of a fiberoptic camera, might be ordered. Treatment will depend on the severity of symptoms. For some, over-the-counter or prescription decongestants will reduce congestion and narrow nasal blood vessels. Nasal sprays, of which there are many, include saline, antihistamines, corti- costeroids and decongestants. Because symptoms can last a few hours or a few days, appear almost constantly or are more pronounced at a specific time of the year, I recom- mend the following. Keep a journal of when an attack occurs and what pre- ceded it. Did you inhale exhaust fumes while riding behind a diesel truck on an interstate highway? Did you eat spicy foods at a luncheon buffet? Did you have a visitor who smokes? Did you visit a friend who has a woodstove for heat? Are you on a beta-blocker med- ication for hypertension? Are there similarities in conditions that precede each attack? If so, try to identify them and then make further attempts to avoid the possible trigger(s). To provide 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 a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092- 0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com.