What causes sneezing and pain in my nose?

Dr Flo, I have this urge to sneeze and pain in my nose that just started. What’s causing it? David

Dear David,

Sneezing and pain or irritation in the nose occurs most commonly due to a viral infection, otherwise known as the common cold. Rarely, it may be due to a bacterial infection.

It can also happen due to an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, strong smells, cold temperature, fur, etc.

The common cold is usually mild and improves without treatment.

It is spread from person to person through droplets from the sick person’s nose or mouth, usually by shaking hands or touching a surface that was recently touched by someone who has the infection, or through coughed or sneezed droplets.

Symptoms include sneezing, running nose, nasal stuffiness, sore throat, hoarseness and even a cough. Rarely, someone may develop a fever.

The infection usually lasts about a week, though if a cough develops, it can last several weeks.

Sometimes the common cold makes it easier to get additional issues like bacterial infection of the ears, sinuses or lungs.

Treatment can improve the symptoms, but it cannot prevent, shorten or cure the cold.

Anti-histamines can help with the sneezing and nasal discomfort. Other medications that may be used include throat lozenges, cough mixtures, gargles, nasal decongestants, or painkillers, as necessary. Also take adequate fluids and get enough rest.

To prevent it, avoid close and prolonged exposure to anyone who has a cold, wash your hands regularly, avoid rubbing your nose and eyes, eat a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly.

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Dr Flo, I am 22 years old and I have a disturbing problem. I can’t go beyond a single shot during sexual intercourse and this frustrates my girlfriend very much.

I have tried eating foods like black beans, but nothing has come of my diet changes. Kindly advise me. Peter

Dear Peter,

The normal sexual response cycle has four stages – arousal/excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution.

The intensity and time taken in each part of the cycle differs from person to person, and even with every sexual encounter.

During arousal, there is increased heart rate and breathing, increased muscle tension, increased blood flow to the genitals and development of an erection for the man. This can take a few minutes to even hours.

In the plateau phase, these signs build up to the brink of an orgasm. The orgasm is the climax, and this is when ejaculation occurs.

After the climax, the next phase is resolution, when the breathing and heart rate go back to normal, the muscles relax, and you lose the erection.

Men usually experience a refractory period. During this time, the body recovers, and you are unable to get to a climax again. You might not be able to get another erection, until the period passes.

This means, that if you continue with sexual activity, it will take longer to achieve climax a second time.

This period differs in people and usually becomes longer as you grow older.

In your 20s, the refractory period may be between five and 30 minutes, but by the time you are 50, it is about 24 hours; and for some people, it may take several days. This is normal and cannot be controlled by diet or any exercises.

The refractory period depends a lot on the individual, the circumstances they are in, the state of the relationship with their partner, etc.

Women do not have a refractory period, and can experience multiple orgasms, one after the other.

With advice from a sex therapist or an urologist, you can learn how to delay ejaculation. This usually involves exercises that you can carry out alone or with your partner. You can also learn different ways to please your partner.

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Dr Flo, I usually find a semen-like discharge on my underwear even when there is no penile erection. This has gone on for a while now. What’s causing this? Tony

Dear Tony,

The discharge may be due to an infection, and it would be advisable to do a urine test and a culture test for the discharge.

Any sexual partner you have should be treated to prevent re-infection. If there is an infection and it is not treated, the symptoms may reduce with time, though the infection is still present.

The danger with this is that the infection can spread to the testicles and the rest of the reproductive tract and in the long run, can lead to infertility.

The infection can also spread to the rest of the body, causing serious illness. Any time you have unprotected intercourse, you can spread the infection to your partner.

The discharge may also be due to nocturnal emissions, otherwise known as wet dreams.

The testosterone in the body causes formation of sperms in the testicles.

These build up and are released from the body in semen when you ejaculate at night after having a sexual dream which you may or may not remember. It can happen several times a week or once every few weeks.

Rarely, you may have discharge after passing hard stool or after passing urine because as the bladder contracts at the end of passing urine, it exerts pressure on the prostrate and the seminal vesicles and they release some semen-like fluid.

This is more likely to happen if you have gone for long without ejaculating.

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