Hi all... Ive had this weird cold like bug for awhile now and it wont go away. I think im going to make and appointment to see a doctor. But what i want to know what the doctor will do to diagnose my problem how he will do it and what he will give me if he finds something wrong thanks in advance for any and all responses........

-- Kristina M. (benhar@aol.com), July 21, 2001

Answers

I wish i could better tell you. Its so weird because if it had been a goat i would ahve known instantly, well... just about. Makes me think about how much more time I spend on my goats's health and not my own.

i hope you feel better soon. I have been hacking in the mornings bad since we moved here to Ar, guess its the allergies. Good Luck! take care.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), July 21, 2001.

I have had the same type of thing from time to time, and 2 differnt Dr.'s treated it differnt. To check you out the Dr can look at your sinuses, and use one of several methods of checking to see if they are cloged, or infected-besides ask you questions. But nothing painful.Differnt dr.s diffent treastment.For me, One was big on letting the natural course of the thing go on and fix its self, gave me advise to get saline spray and OTC antihistmines the other gave me antibiotics and several nose sprays to use. Well it came out about the same. I live in the piney woods and the allergys here are a bother, and then you get the humidity, doesnt help like you in the dryer climates might think(I came from Phx AZ) I now keep saline spray and use it regular, and take antihistamines as I do my daily vitamins. If I eat right and keep a handle on my stress the sinuses give me alot less trouble. God Bless you and I do hope you feel better soon.

-- Jennifer Dobbs (jkd518@yahoo.com), July 22, 2001.

Lots of garlic and onion plus tea made from mullein (big fuzzy-leaved plant that grows along roads - has a big "candle" spike of yellow flowers on it in the summer) leaves which can also be bought at most health food stores. YOu can also put the leaves in a humidifier/mister.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), July 22, 2001.

I had a "sinus thing" for a couple of months earlier this year, and saline spray, lots of vitamins, and the humidifier seemed to help as much as anything. You may also want to try some Zicam (zinc nasal spray... seems to really help shorten colds) ... it's available at many pharmacies for around $10.00. Zinc losenges may also help ... just DON'T take them on an empty stomach.. can make it upset. Ecinacia (spelled wrong, I'm sure) can also give you a boost. Available in most pharmacies and health food stores. Hope this helps,

Dave

-- Dave (peasedj@sparc.isl.net), July 22, 2001.

I found eucalyptus oil in steaming water really helped my sinus congestion. It really helped them to clear. If it is allergy triggered you might want to deal with that after you have cleared up any infection. Hope this helps.

-- Cindy Clarke (rclarke@revelstoke.net), July 22, 2001.

I grow sage in my garden and when I had an upper respiratory infection last winter I would bring the leaves to a boil in water and then make a "tent" with a towel over my head and the pot and inhale the vapors. Helped alot.

-- connie in nm (karrellewis@aol.com), July 22, 2001.

Horseradish - eating a little bit will do wonders for opening up your sinuses. Ditto on the garlic, like Soni said - garlic is supposed to be a blood purifier.

It's probably best to go see your doctor though. If your head has been congested solid for more than a few days, you're risking a bad sinus infection. If it's chest congestion, definitely see your doctor, as there's a bad summer flu bug going around. Have some bloodwork done too, just in case it's not a cold...

-- Deb Mc (not@this.time.pls), July 22, 2001.

thanks for all your help guys but this thing isnt going away so im definatlely gonna see a doctor probably tomorrow so can anyone tell me what the doctor will do to diagnose my problem and how he will do it?????

-- Kristina M. (benhar@aol.com), July 22, 2001.

Kristina: First, a nurse will check your weight, bloodpressure, and temperature. Your doc will ask a bunch of questions, will look in your eyes, ears, nose, and throat, will listen to your chest, and "palpate" (push on) your frontal and maxilary sinuses (beside your nose on your cheekbones, and at the inside corners of your eyebrows). Whatever he or she sees and hears will determine what's bugging you!

Anita Evangelista

-- A Evangelista (ale368s@smsu.edu), July 22, 2001.

Kristina, you might consider a hidden food allergy. I had the problem of the upper respitory and sinus infections for a couple of years, before I considered the cause. I cut my wheat intake, (many people cannot tolerate a lot of wheat) and my intake of soda. (the sugar isn't doing you any good either) I got to the point where I could drink a soda, and detect the mucus plugging my ears a couple hours later. Even now, if I want to guarentee myself a sinus headache, all I have to do is eat bread for about 3 days. Just something to consider. Milk also produces a lot of mucus. Each person is different.

-- Judy C. Vaughan (whileaway3@cs.com), July 23, 2001.