EDITOR’S NOTE
Fresh and (Cross)Fit The national fitness franchise CrossFit follows the principles of workouts designed for the military and elite athletes. But the workouts can be adapted to work well for all levels of people who want to improve their conditioning. Nearly 75 people in their 40s, 50s and 60s who fit the bill showed up for a day of competitive exercises one Saturday in April, and INstride was really there with staffer Andrea Murray, one of the 60-somethings who competed. Her story is one of the features this month. Today we welcome Bloomingfoods, the Bloomington cooperative grocery story, as a sponsor of Fresh Picks. We’ll be more seasonal in our approach to picking the healthy foods we highlight to make sure they are available at Bloomingfoods and at other places in south-central Indiana the month they are featured. Apologies to those expecting a story on a Bloomington company that recently hired a wellness coordinator to help other companies implement wellness programs in the workplace. Bill C. Brown Associates is indeed doing that good work, but the story, which was promoted last month for this edition, will be featured at a later date. I can’t let the month go by without congratulating those from our area who competed in this year’s Boston Marathon last month. The event was marred by terror and tragedy, but marathoners from the area only strengthened their commitment to running in its aftermath. We hope to introduce you to some of those local folks in upcoming months. Bob Zaltsberg, editor
Season for Sneezin’ You asked and Dr. Joanna Watkins answered Our monthly chat in April focused on ear, nose and throat issues with otolaryngologist Dr. Joanna Watkins with IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians.
Q:
Could you review in brief the general criteria for use of antibiotics in what most people refer to as “sinus infections?” (Specifically, what helps you diagnose an actual bacterial infection vs. the allergies that we are all subject to in Bloomington?) There is a place for them, of course, but I am concerned about antibiotic resistance due to overuse, as well as the increasing data that suggests using antibiotics in very young children may precipitate longer-term problems.— krankenschwester, Bloomington JOANNA WATKINS: Most sinus infections are caused by virus, and if you are otherwise healthy, individuals without any underlying medical conditions that could affect your body’s ability to fight infections, the sinus infections tend to improve without needing antibiotics. However, if your symptoms get worse after about a week or if you are having severe symptoms such as high fever, antibiotics are often recommended. Typical sinus-related symptoms I ask my patients about will be facial pain; sense of pressure in the face, which often gets worse on bending over; headache; difficulty breathing through the nose; nasal congestion; colored drainage from the nose; drainage in the back of the nose; cough; sense of ear pressure; decreased ability to smell; fever; and sense of fatigue. If these symptoms get worse or do not get better after about a week, antibiotics are often recommended.
Q:
I’ve heard that our bodies can become dependent upon decongestant nasal sprays, that after too many days of use, the nose will feel stuffed up because it expects/needs a nasal spray. Is this true? If so, would you recommend a specific consecutive-days use limit?— KG, Bloomington JOANNA WATKINS: There is a term that specifically refers to this. It is called medicamentosa rhinitis. After using a nasal decongestant spray for a few days, our nasal mucosa becomes more resistant to the medication’s effects and it can respond by having rebound congestion which can create worse nasal symptoms than the initial symptoms. Also, many of the nasal decongestant sprays can affect your blood pressure. Therefore, if you already have high blood pressure or prior history of cardiac conditions, a conservative use of these sprays is recommended. I have my patients use those sprays in a limited fashion, usually no more than three to five days.
Q:
Can we develop seasonal allergies as we age? I never had problems with allergies when I was a kid, but since I’ve entered my 30s, I seem to have more and more trouble each spring.—KG, Bloomington JOANNA WATKINS: It is possible to develop seasonal allergies as we age. Also, other things to consider are any recent changes in environmental conditions such as having a new pet or moving to a different location. Typically, allergies start in young age and then peak in young adulthood. However, it is possible to develop new allergies and “outgrow” others at any age.
Go to myINstride.com for more questions and answers about otolaryngology with Dr. Joanna Watkins
May 2013 • INstride 3