Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
What is External Otitis and what can you do about it?
What is External Otitis and what can you do about it? Find out here.
Also referred to as Otitis Externa or Swimmer’s Ears, External Otitis is a type of ear infection. It typically runs from the outside of your ear into your eardrum and can cause itchiness, pain, ear blockage, swelling, and even fever.
External Otitis cases can be classified as acute, chronic, eczematous, necrotizing, or otomycosis. This means that it can range in severity and might need continuous treatment, depending on your case. It can also lead to serious complications and infections when not treated right away.
Causes of External Otitis
Typically seen in swimmers as its name suggests, External Otitis is typically caused by the bacteria known as Pseudomonas. In some cases, it can also be a fungal infection caused by Candida or Aspergillus.
No matter what the case is, however, this condition is most often the result of not being able to dry the ear thoroughly. The water that stays in the curves and crevices of the ear fosters bacterial growth.
Things get worse if you have ear injuries. This is why scratching, improper use of ear-cleaning tools, and the use of irritating products are also listed as causes of this ailment.
Aside from these causes, some people are also just more at risk of the condition than others. Aside from swimmers, those with skin sensitivities and conditions are more likely to contract the disease compared to the general populace. So if you have allergies, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis, there’s also a chance that your condition can increase your risks of contracting External Otitis.
Signs and Symptoms
There are several signs that should clue you in about this infection. Below are a few examples of the most common symptoms arranged from mild to severe:
- Itchiness in the ear canal
- Mild discomfort in the ear
- Slight redness of the ear
- Presence of a small amount of clear, odorless fluid inside the ear
- Increasing pain and itchiness
- Excessive fluid drainage
- Pus discharge
- Partial ear canal blockage
- Muffled hearing
- Severe pain
- Outer ear swelling
- Total ear blockage
- Fever
Preventing External Otitis
Preventing this condition isn’t impossible to do. If you’re at risk, here are a few things you can do:
- Make sure to dry your ears properly.
- Avoid injuring your ears by keeping foreign objects away from it.
- Protect your ears when using hair products to avoid irritants from getting in.
- Take precautionary measures during your swims.
- Monitor the bacterial levels in the pool and avoid swimming on the days when the numbers are high.
- Use preventive ear drops before getting in the water.
Treatments for External Otitis
If you suspect that you already have External Otitis, the most important thing that you should do is to see your doctor right away. They can create the right treatment plan for your diagnosis so you should seek their help right away.
In most cases, the treatment for this condition involves professional cleaning followed by the prescription of various medications for the infection. You might need to get on antibiotics and use ear drops during the treatment process.
While treating your External Otitis, however, it’s recommended to avoid swimming and scuba diving for the time being. You shouldn’t really get water in the infected area, so it’s also recommended to protect your ear when you bathe. It will also be best not to use any in-ear appliance or device until the infection heals.
If you suffer an ENT problem, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services. Please contact us for an appointment of our ENT services and consulation at 3100 0555.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
What is Nasal Leak and Its Symptoms?
Most of us dismiss a runny nose as a simple cold that will go away on its own. However, there are cases where it doesn’t go away and that should tell you to seek medical attention right away.
While it’s rare, what some folks initially thought to be a runny nose is actually a nasal leak. Its layman’s name might not sound like much but its technical term, cerebrospinal fluid leak, might just make you realize that it’s a serious condition.
Also referred to as the CSF leak, this is a condition where brain fluid leaks through the ear or nose. It happens when a tear is made in the dura or the thin outer membrane that contains the fluid. This is usually caused by injury or trauma but in some cases, it can also be quite spontaneous. In most cases, folks who experience CSF leaks have it because of prior head trauma.
The said fluid is the same one that circulates around the brain and spinal cord. It serves as cushioning to your brain, relieving pressure to the vital organ. Experts say that a person with a nasal leak can lose about half a liter of brain fluid in a day.
Nasal Leak Symptoms
How do will you know if you’re experiencing CSF leak? The most major sign that you should be wary of is a clear, watery drainage from your nose. As mentioned above, nasal leaks are usually confused with a runny nose because they have similar characteristics. However, colds should only last two to three weeks while nasal leaks tend to last longer as they don’t necessarily go away.
If this cold followed some time after head trauma, you should also suspect a nasal leak. While the condition is still considered to be quite rare, it’s not a completely scarce condition. In fact, support groups for patients have already been formed so it’s quite safe to say that this condition isn’t a one in one billion occurrence.
The increase in drainage should also clue you in that you’re suffering from a nasal leak. If the outward flow of the fluid increases when the head is tilted downwards, then, there’s a good chance that you’re suffering from a CSF leak and not just a runny nose.
It should also be noted, however, that CSF leaks can also come out of a patient’s ear. The condition is similar to nasal leaks in all regards except for where the fluid exits the head.
CSF leak also tends to come with the following symptoms as a result of the decrease in the amount of fluid around the brain:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Neck pain
- Sense of imbalance
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
Treating CSF Nasal Leak
A case of CSF leak will make the sufferer at risk of meningitis. This is why it’s crucial to learn how to treat the condition right away.
Fortunately, some cases heal on its own. However, there are others that will need a surgery to fix. This is why it’s imperative that you see an ENT specialist right away if you suspect that you’re having a nasal leak. For appointment to consult our ENT specialist, please contact HK ENT Specialist Ltd. which is a professional Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre offering ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Understanding Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
Our immune system constantly works hard to protect our body from harm caused by alien substances like toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Blood proteins called antibodies attack and remove these foreign substances from our body to prevent them from causing illnesses and infections.
The immune system is one of those things that you don’t really notice as long as it’s doing its job right; but once it malfunctions, it’s hard to ignore. Sometimes, the human body mistakenly identifies its own as foreign and attacks itself. This is what we call an autoimmune reaction. Continue reading
Raise Your Voice Against Your Aging Voice
As we age, our bodies’ physiology also changes – our muscles become weaker, our joints become stiffer, and our skin starts to sag, among others. But we often overlook our changing voice including the differences in its tone and pitch, as well as our ability to speak in ways that others can understand well.
We shouldn’t dismiss these voice-related issues because these can affect our quality of life. If it applies to you, you should raise your voice, so to speak, and raise your concerns with your otolaryngologist. If you don’t have one, you will find plenty of ENT doctors who will listen to your concerns and work closely in finding the best possible solutions for them.
Know the Causes
For many elderly people, their voice-related issues are mainly due to their aging larynx, known as presbyphonia, and to glottic insufficiency (i.e., the vocal cords aren’t closing solidly). This causes several voice changes in terms of pitch and tone, as well as in shorter duration in phonation and in poor vocal projection. These changes can make it challenging to express yourself even to family and friends, even affect your sense of confidence.
But it isn’t just the voice-related parts that contribute to your aging voice. It may also be caused by an underlying medical condition that affects pulmonary capacity (i.e., breathing) and neurological function. It may also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition that, once appropriately treated, can reduce the impact of the voice alterations.
The underlying medical conditions include tumors, allergies, changes in hormones, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Your doctor will consider the possibility that, indeed, there are multiple factors affecting the quality of your voice. You may, for example, observe changes in your voice as the first symptom in a diagnosis of ALS or Parkinson’s disease, a common occurrence.
Know the Treatments
Fortunately, your otolaryngologist can recommend several treatments that can improve the quality of your voice. You have to choose from among these treatments depending on your own needs for them. You may have to combine two or more treatments for the best results.
- Voice therapy is a first-line defense because of its non-invasive nature although it takes time, energy and effort to get results.
- Surgery can also be considered. The procedures include injection laryngoplasty, a procedure where a filler is injected into the larynx so that the vocal cords can be bulked up; and thyroplasty, a procedure involving placing an implant in the neck.
You will also likely be taught about effective coping mechanisms in dealing with your changing voice. No matter your treatment plan, you should strive for compliance if and when you want to benefit from it.
For more details of our ENT services, please contact HK ENT Specialist.
HK ENT Specialist
offering ENT services,
Hearing aids prescription,
Swallowing disorder assessment and treatment,
Head and Neck Oncology,
Sleep disordered breathing Management,
and Facial Plastic Surgery, etc.
Children with Down Syndrome and Their Common ENT Issues
Health issues related to the ears, nose and throat are common among children with Down syndrome. Most of these issues are also present throughout the children’s lives thus emphasizing the importance for both parents and ENT doctors to work closely in their management. Their effective management is a must, too, considering that ENT issues are closely linked to the child’s physical, mental and social development. Continue reading
Special Considerations for Senior Citizens with Rhinitis
When the elderly have chronic rhinitis, the most common complaints, health-wise, include:
- Feeling of nasal obstruction
- Crusting on the nose, especially during cold winter
- Constant need for throat clearing
- Feeling of vague pressure on the face
- Reduced sense of taste and smell from the blocked nose
For the most part, the symptoms of rhinitis or sinusitis among seniors are the same as in younger populations. But because of their age, ENT doctors must consider the special considerations that affect seniors with rhinitis. Continue reading
Tongue-Tie Shouldn’t Tie Down Your Child’s Life
Don’t be tongue-tied when telling your doctor about the possibility that your child may have the condition known as tongue-tie (ankyloglossia). Your child’s quality of life can be adversely affected when it’s left untreated, especially when surgery is required. Your child, fortunately, can live a normal life when his condition has been treated – and the treatment is easy, too! Continue reading
There’s Hope in the Treatment of TMJ Disorders
Think of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as a sliding hinge – it’s the connection between your jawbone and your skull. In fact, you have one of it on each side of your jaw! But it’s also vulnerable to injuries and illnesses.
TMJ disorders are no laughing matter because of their painful symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with it, you have likely suffered from pain, soreness and tenderness in your jaw and/or joint. You may also have difficulty in chewing, sharp pains in your face and in your ear, and locking of the jaw, which means you have difficulty in opening and closing your mouth. Continue reading
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另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。
另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。