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Doctors Lounge - Cardiology Answers
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| carduzzi
- Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:27 am |
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My 36 year old male friend who I have known for 8 years has a constantly runny nose which he has always said based on a doctors diagnos that he received is is due to one lung being smaller than the other...could this be true?
Also, I have just recently learned that this person has been using cocaine once in a while for the past month which they first denied and then later admitted to but he does not see it as a problem and said that it was just a temporary thing to sober up from drinking as a result of stress. This friend also used cocaine the first day that I met them but I personally never saw them use it again until they got busted six years later for having cocaine on them and admitted to using sometimes. I have always known this person to use visine and dristan on a daily basis. As well my friend also experiences neck and facial twitches.
I am wanting to know if the one lung being smaller than the other would cause such a problem with their sinuses.....or has this likely been a coverup for his addiction and symtoms?
Much appreciated!!
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| John Kenyon, CNA
- Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:25 am |
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 Hello carduzzi - While this is not exactly a cardiology question you've posed, I'm not sure where it would go anyway. I will say this, however: your friend clearly has lied to you about cocaine use over a long period of time. I know of no reason why one lung being smaller than the other would cause a chronic runny nose, but I do know that chronic cocaine use causes many people to have a runny nose, constant sniffling, etc. The odd-lung story sounds like one more lie, and after the lying was already established anyway, my best advice to you would be to find a friend who is not committed to long term cocaine use. You may one day have a reason to be asking a cardiology-related question about this person, as cocaine can cause seroius heart problems. It can also cause major legal and personal problems. Do yourself a favor and find a friend with less dangerous habits and who is more honest with you.
Good luck to you.
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| Marceline F, RN
- Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:36 am |
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 Dear carduzzi,
It is not at all likely that one lung being smaller than the other has anything at all to do with rhinitis (runny nose). It is very possible that there are two contributing factors to your friends complaint. Constant use of dristan type products will certainly contribute to "rebound" stuffiness and runniness. In fact the directions for use on the container warn the user not to use more than 3 concurrent days in order to not have that problem. The use of cocaine when snorted will also be a factor in rhinitis. The alarming part of the use of the cocaine however, is the impact on the heart. Cocaine is well known to cause heart failure - partly by disturbing the electrical pathways of the heart. These disturbances are not recouperable. I have seen young 30ish year old men die over a year's period of time due to heart failure directly connected to the use of cocaine, even after they finally quit. It sure seems like your friend needs professional help to quit his addictions, and to find the pathway to health away from the drugs. The first thing your friend, and you, need to acknowledge is that he has a problem. Once admitted, the potential to quit the addiction is better than when a person remains in denial. I admire and respect your wish to be helpful to your friend. Please encourage him to accept your concern, and to seek professional help. The local hospital emergency room should have phone numbers for the local support systems available in your area.
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