Singing the neti pot’s praises
Great article on the neti pot (Health, March 15). As a user myself, I can say it definitely has made a difference and decreased my sinus infections greatly. It is popular, yet still intimidating to many. I’d like to share a neti pot music video with you:
The inspiration: We were talking about using the neti pot and how much it helped, and someone said, “That sounds like it could be a rap.”
Rodney Umble, Astoria, N.Y.
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My ‘solution’ is swimming in the clean waters of Laguna Beach: The diving through the waves brings a saline flush and a wonderful couple of days of free breathing restored!
David Powers, Laguna Beach
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I had a terrible coughing problem and headaches for close to two years. After multiple doctor visits and diagnostic tests, I was told I needed sinus surgery by two different surgical groups. I was skeptical and soon found out about the neti pot on the Web. I bought one on the Web at VictoryStore.com. Within two weeks, my cough was gone and I did not need surgery. I have used my neti pot for about seven years, mixing non-iodized salt and warm tap water on an as-needed basis. It is great, and there are no drugs involved!
Brian Darreff, Cherry Hill, N.J.
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I recognized Chris Woolston’s nasal wash procedure as one similar to mine. However, instead of the commercial product he describes I have always used Alkalol, a mucus solvent made by a company of the same name in Taunton, Mass. It also includes bicarbonate of soda and salt, but also several aromatic oils and other things, all of which I dilute one-half to whole strength with warm water.
I use an old style “nasal douche,” which allows controlled pouring of the liquid into the nostrils. My way works for me and seems far less expensive than the product you described.
Pete Knoles, Los Olivos, Calif.
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The family links of depression
As a great deal of careful psychological research has shown, the behaviors of depressed parents are associated with numerous adverse outcomes for their kids. I don’t doubt that some of these behaviors — like smoking during pregnancy, failing to engage infants and neglecting teens — can cause harm to children. However, none of the studies described in Marilyn Elias’ article on the “ripple effects of sadness” (Health, March 15) provide even scant evidence of causality.
Indeed, it’s amazing that the author failed to report one of the most important (and obvious) alternative explanations for the findings — namely, that because depression is partially genetically determined, the so-called negative “ripple effects” on the kids are simply indicators of the same genetic predisposition shared with their parents.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, Professor of psychology, UC Riverside
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Your article on how depressed parents affect their kids is both irresponsible and troubling. You seem to have begun with the assumption that parental behavior is the cause of the children’s problems. In fact there is overwhelming evidence that a tendency to depression and anxiety are hereditary. Articles like yours only heap more guilt and pain on the shoulders of parents with mood disorders.
Yes, there are strategies to help kids cope, and they should be employed, but parents with mood disorders, or grandparents (psychiatric problems often skip a generation), must be vigilant because of the genetic link also. There is a reason doctors are supposed to take elaborate family histories and why adopted children should try to get the health records of their biological parents.
You will have a tendency to heart disease, high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes or every other illness if it runs in your family. This also applies to diseases of the brain, including depression. Adopted children correlate for mood disorders far more strongly with their biological parents who they have never met than they do with their adopted parents. Take a look at:
Or buy “Mood Genes” by Samuel Barondes
Amy Jones Chapman, Los Angeles
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We at the TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University agree that increased access to mental health screening for children, adolescents and adults in the primary care setting can help identify those at risk for depression and other mental illnesses. Screening of youth is especially important, because half of all life-time mental health disorders start by age 14.
Annual screening for teens for depression has been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and endorsed by the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as many other leading health and professional organizations.
Whether a youth’s depression or anxiety stems from having a parent with depression or from another cause, there are many screening tools available that can be easily administered in a primary care provider’s office to help detect these disorders and help these youth get the care they need. Several insurers currently do offer reimbursement for mental health screening of adolescents and adults; however, more can be done to ensure widespread and proper reimbursement.
The TeenScreen National Center provides free screening tools for adolescents ages 11 to 18 and tips for reimbursement to physicians and school professionals. To access free adolescent screening tools visit TeenScreen: .
Laurie Flynn, Executive director, TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University
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I have to say that I’m really glad people have been studying this. This article has evidence that depressed parents may have parenting techniques that can negatively affect their child. To me, if we can find any way to help these parents give their kids what they need, it will be fantastic.
These parents don’t want to be withdrawn from their children, but if they’re depressed, they can’t help it. Then the children will imitate the parents and have poor social skills. Stopping this cycle could take some pressure off of the parents who feel guilty and of course help the children.
I’m inspired by the parents who have noticed their children having trouble and tried to turn themselves around to improve the lives of their current and future children. They’re helping themselves solve a serious problem and they’re helping their kids as well. Making use of therapy and teaching sensitive parenting can go a long way to make the lives of these people and their children better.
Jenna Ward, Trabuco Canyon
Letters to the Editor highlights selected reader comments on recently published articles. All submissions are subject to editing and condensation and become the property of The Times. Please e-mail health@latimes.com or write Health section, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
