On the advice of strangers...

One thing I've discovered that happens when people find out you've been sick, they are full of unsolicited advice on the "very best treatment" for whatever it was that made you sick.

This past week I had what I can only describe as an "attack of the face". This means my sinuses stopped up so badly it made breathing impossible and caused an endless stream of post nasal drippage into my throat causing me to cough up a lung or two. Since nothing was flowing, my eyes turned beet red and ran tears at will and without notice. All of this backed up into my ears causing almost complete deafness and the whole thing made my head feel like a balloon. I was a sight, lemme tell you. And I was miserable. Still am, to tell you the truth, though the major stoppage finally gave way yesterday.

Upon my return to work I was accosted with the kind, though uncalled for, advice of my co-workers on how I "should" have taken care of myself. One person recommended steam and lots of it. Now, I actually did do this and usually it works. However, the Hoover Dam of sinus blockage wasn't having any of it this time. A second person, who claims they are "never sick", told me I should have called my doctor immediately and got an antibiotic. Okay, here's the thing. I'm pretty smart most of the time and, though I am not a doctor, I do know that unless there is fever or your nose is oozing with that greenish gunk, there is no infection and an antibiotic will not do anything except further decrease your bodies own ability to fight this crap off in the first place. It's the overuse of antibiotics that make people get so sick! Also the overuse of hand sanitizer and antibacterial soaps. I use both of these on occasion but those are pretty rare occasions. We need a little bacteria in our lives, folks! The last group of arm chair doctors suggested I get a Netty Pot. For those who don't know what that is, it's a small pot with a long snout that you fill with warm saline water. You stick your head over a sink, sideways, and stick the long snout of the pot into one nostril. Then you gently pour the warm solution in one nostril and it's supposed to come out the other, washing out all the boogies and gunkies and uggies that got stuck up there in the first place. To me, that sounds so disgusting the mere thought of it makes me cringe! EW EW EW and EWWWWWW!!!

For me, I'll stick with Nyquil, Vicks Vapo Rub, and lots of tea. Throw in some chicken soup and a good back rub and that's what I call a home remedy!