Do Alzheimer's patients all suffer from sinus complaints? My Mom has complained about her sinus's since long before we knew she had Alzheimer's, but her doctor "looks", sees nothing, and dismisses her complaints. She has not taken any antibiotics for as long as I can remember, yet he is unwilling to even try them. What can I do?
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Q: Do Alzheimer's patients all suffer from sinus complaints?
Answers (4)
3/ 3/09 10:32am
Hi Judy K
When I was nursing I did not notice any prevalence of sinus complaints in people with Alzheimer's disease.
There are a number of causes and treatments for "sinus complaints". Treatments include decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine), for example. Decongestants can have side effects such as increased blood pressure, pulse rate, can cause nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and can cause urine problems.
Antibiotics are only used where the person has a sinus infection.
It could be that her doctor has not diagnosed an infection and thinks decongestants would be contra indicated at this time.
Hope this helps
Christine
3/ 3/09 5:06pm
Hi, Judy,
I wonder if your mom suffers from allergies? We found that my mom had these, which flaired up once she moved to be near me and which were discovered based on a visit to the allergist.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
3/ 4/09 9:37pm
Hi Judy,
I don't think AD patients all suffer from sinus problems. My husband and I often have sinus headache and congestion, and we only take decongestants. For me, I also take Flonade (inhale from the nose) chronically because I have difficulty getting the congestion out. We are in the age of 50. So it is a common condition for some people with sinus problem, allergy or not.
Your Mom would not need antibiotics unless it is really from the bacteria or a bad cold that has infection. If it is about chronic congestion, antibiotics is not going to help in the long run.
I am sure the fact that she has AD does not help this sinus problem. Did her doctor try to give her some decongestant or flonade and etc? Maybe you can ask him to recommend some specialist about this sinus problem.
My father-in-law who has severe Alzheimers does not have sinus problem, but he has a little running nose after he comes in from the cold air or after his caregiver washes his hair sometimes. The other factor you may want to consider is, since these patients don't really know how to dress up warmly or don't want to dress up properly like normal people, they may catch cold easily.
Take care,
Nina
3/ 5/09 3:17am
Gregory,
I can only speak for myself, but I have chronically inflamed nostrils, and have tried to get the attention of a doctor in several attempts. They always ignore that problem, for some reason. But, I am making an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist for next week, sometime. If HE glosses me over I'm gonna stomp his toes! (Oh, and I am being treated for Alzheimer's.) I hope your mother tries and ENT, too.
Sojourner
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By Judy K.— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 03/03/09
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