Introduction

Nose and throat disorders do not differ in elderly and younger adults. Nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, and nasal fractures are common among all age groups and can cause bothersome symptoms. However, treatment of elderly patients may differ, partly because drugs routinely prescribed for younger patients with disorders such as nasal congestion and rhinorrhea can cause serious adverse effects in the elderly. Sympathomimetic amines (eg, pseudoephedrine) can cause agitation, confusion, and, more commonly, urinary retention. Most antihistamines are very anticholinergic and thus can cause excessive sedation, hypotension, vertigo, syncope, incoordination, constipation, urinary disturbances (especially in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia), and thickening of nasal secretions.