I am delighted to report that I managed to return from a ski trip uninjured after taking to the piste after a 20 year gap.

It is a recommendation for the maintenance of youth to do something each day that scares you. I must have come back years younger!

This week's column is a short one focussing on a little known problem affecting a variety of people for very different reasons.

Excessive salivation or drooling can affect all age ranges from infants to the elderly. The medical term is pytalism. The cause can be due to excessive saliva production, the inability to retain saliva within the mouth or difficulty swallowing.

It can occur quite naturally and normally in infants who are teething or who are suffering from an upper respiratory infection.

Drooling can however be associated to other conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

The most common condition associated to pytalism is pregnancy. During pregnancy some women suffer Hyperemesis Gravidarium, which is uncontrollable nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This is far more than just morning sickness'.

Due to the severe nausea these women report excessive salivation and an inability to swallow this saliva as it can cause gagging and an increased chance of vomiting. For those women affected they often resort to carrying a spittoon round with them, or have them strategically placed around the house or office.

I have spoken to a consultant who was affected during her pregnancy with pytalism and had to resort to tying a plastic bag at the end of each bed on the ward so she could complete a ward round without rushing off.

It has been stated by certain physicians that it is a hysterical' response to pregnancy and is all in the mind.

Yet it is so severe and debilitating to some women that they end up terminating the pregnancy or never even considering a second one.

Usually the regular remedies of ginger or acupressure points at the wrist are unsuccessful.

Some medications are available to treat the salivation associated to Parkinson's such as antihistamines, but would be better avoided as with all medication during pregnancy if possible.

The only positive thing about pytalism associated to pregnancy is that it does ease towards the end of the pregnancy or as soon as the baby is delivered!

A patient who is currently suffering from pytalism specially requested this subject.

If you have any questions on any subject or suggestions for the next column please email me at lkleychiro@tiscali.co.uk, or call Ilkley Chiropractic Clinic on 605060.