Ear Conditions

Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE hospital located at Suchitra, Hyderabad, provides specialized treatment for all ear disorders. Our surgeons at Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE hospital are highly trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, ear ringing (tinnitus). If you experience difficulty with hearing problems including tinnitus (ear ringing) and severe hearing loss, Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE hospital can diagnose the condition and help find the right treatment plan for you.

Common Ear Problems

One of the most common ear problems that cause patients to seek out an ENT doctor is hearing loss. There are mainly three types of hearing loss; conductive, sensorineural, and mixed (both conductive and sensorineural). Conductive hearing loss occurs due to the problem conducting soundwaves; resulting from issues with an ear canal, eardrum and/or the three bones connected to the eardrum. Often there is a buildup of material in the ear, such as ear wax or fluid, which must be eliminated. Problems with the inner ear are related to Sensorineural hearing loss. This type of loss involves damage to the nerves which may be related to ageing or from exposure to loud noise (noise-induced hearing loss). This type of hearing loss is mostly associated with hearing aids. Other common ear problems include ear infections in young children and infants; tinnitus, a roaring in the ears; and Meniere’s diseases, which may be the result of fluid problems in your inner ear, the symptoms of which include dizziness and tinnitus. A visit to an ENT specialist at our hospital will help exactly point out the source of the problem and inform the treatment.

Ear Wax

Earwax blockage occurs when earwax (cerumen) becomes too hard to wash away naturally or accumulates in your ear.

Earwax is a natural part of your body’s defences and is helpful. It lubricates, cleans and protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slows down the growth of bacteria.

If earwax blockage becomes a problem, Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital take simple steps to remove the wax safely.

Don’t try to dig it out

Do not attempt to dig out hardened or excessive earwax with available items, such as a paper clip, a cotton swab or a hairpin. You may push the wax far into your ear and cause serious damage to the lining of your eardrum or ear canal.

Our specialists at Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital can determine whether you have earwax blockage by looking in your ear with special instruments that lights and magnifies your inner ear (otoscope).

Causes

The wax in the ears is secreted by glands in the skin that lines the outer half of the ear canals. Tiny hairs and the wax in ear canals trap dust and other foreign particles that potentially damage deeper structures, such as your eardrum.

A small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the opening of the ear in most people, it gets washed away or falls out and new wax is secreted to replace it. If the secretion of your earwax is excessive or if it isn’t cleared effectively, it may build up and block your ear canal.

Earwax blockages commonly occur when you try to clean your ears on your own by using cotton earbuds or other items in your ears. This most of the time just pushes wax deeper into the ear, rather than removing the wax.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage may include:

  • Earache
  • The feeling of fullness in the affected ear
  • Ringing or noises in the ear (tinnitus)
  • Decreased hearing in the affected ear
  • Dizziness
  • Cough

When to see a doctor

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of earwax blockage, talk to us.

Many people think they can deal with earwax on their own, but, signs and symptoms could indicate another condition. There’s no way to know if you have excessive earwax without having someone, usually, a doctor looks in your ears. Symptoms such as earache or decreased hearing don’t necessarily mean you have wax buildup. It’s possible you may have another medical condition involving your ears that may need medical attention.

Wax removal is done most safely by a specialized doctor. Your ear canal and eardrum are highly delicate and can be damaged easily by excess earwax. Don’t try to remove earwax yourself with any device placed into your ear canal, especially if you have had ear surgery, have ear pain or drainage or have a hole (perforation) in your eardrum.

Pus from Ear

Ear infections and pain though are common conditions but can cause serious discomfort to the person. While sometimes pain is the only symptom, a more serious condition may be accompanied by pus or other discharges.

Pus is generally associated with bacterial buildup. If pus or other fluids are coming out of your ears, consult your doctor to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

What causes pus discharge from the ear?

Pus, fluid, or blood accumulating in or discharging from the ear, may be an indication of a serious condition, hence ear drainage shouldn’t be ignored.

Following are some of the potential causes of discharge or pus from your ear.

Ear infection

Middle ear infections (In medical terms called Acute Otitis Media) — are common, particularly in children. They affect the middle portion of the ear and are mostly caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Ear infection

Middle ear infections (In medical terms called Acute Otitis Media) — are common, particularly in children. They affect the middle portion of the ear and are mostly caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s ear is an infection that affects the outer ear canal (otitis externa). It usually happens when water gets trapped in your ear, after swimming, thus allowing bacteria or fungus to grow.

Skin cyst

Noncancerous abnormal growth (cholesteatoma) can develop in the middle portion of the ear behind the eardrum. They often develop as cysts and may increase in size over time.

Foreign object

Any foreign object that can get stuck in your ear can cause pain, drainage, and damage. This is particularly a problem for children.

Ruptured eardrum

Pressure caused by fluid buildup in the middle ear, often from an infection can result in a ruptured eardrum. This condition can also result from trauma or an ear injury or from a foreign body resulting in fluid or pus draining out from the ear.

Outlook

Ear fluid discharge cannot be ignored as the appearance of pus may be a sign of an ear infection or an underlying condition that should be discussed with your doctor.

EIf this condition is paired with intense pain, a head injury, or hearing loss, seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment by your doctor is often necessary to prevent or manage recurring conditions, however, minor infections may clear on their own.

Dr. Aravind

Professor

Dr. Laxmi

Professor

 Vertigo

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is sensation of feeling off balance and dizziness, you might feel like you are spinning or that the world around you is spinning.

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo is generally caused by a problem with the inner ear. Some of the most common causes include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) collect in the inner ear after getting dislodged from their normal location.

The inner ear sends signals about head and body movements relative to gravity to the brain. It helps you maintain your balance. BPPV can occur for an unknown reason and may be associated with age.

Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that is caused by a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear, causing episodes of vertigo as well as ringing (tinnitus) in the ears and hearing loss.

Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis is a problem inner ear usually related to infection (usually viral) causing inflammation in the inner ear around nerves that are important for helping the body sense balance

Less often vertigo may be associated with:

 

  •  Head or neck injury
  •  Brain problems such as stroke or tumor
  •  Certain medications that cause ear damage
  •   Migraine headaches

Symptoms 

Vertigo is triggered by a change in the position of your head, mostly.

People with vertigo describe it typically as feeling like they are:

  • Spinning
  • Tilting
  • Swaying
  • Unbalanced
  • Pulled in one direction

Other symptoms that may accompany vertigo include:

  • Feeling nauseated
  • Vomiting
  • Abnormal or jerking eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Ringing in the ears or hearing loss

Symptoms can last for few minutes for few hours or more and may come and go.

  • Treatment for Vertigo

    Treatment for vertigo depends on what’s causing it. In many cases, Vertigo goes away on its own without any treatment. This is because your brain’s ablity to adapt to the inner ear changes, at least in part, relying on other mechanisms to maintain balance.

    For some, treatment is needed and may include:

    Vestibular rehabilitation: A specialized form of physical therapy aimed to help strengthen the vestibular system.

    Canalith repositioning maneuvers: A series of specific movements of head and body for BPPV.

    Medicine: Medication may be advised in some cases to relieve symptoms such as motion sickness or nausea associated with vertigo.

    Surgery: Surgery may be needed for vertigo in few cases

    Dr Aravind’s ENT& EYE Hospital provides comprehensive management of vertigo and balance disorders through Neurotological evaluation with our suite of world-class diagnostic equipment.

    We are a specialized advanced vertigo and balance clinic that diagnoses and treat vertigo and balance disorders with the highest success rate in India.

    VIDEONYSTAGMOGRAPHY (VNG)

    TM VNG is the most advanced technology to evaluate the vestibular and oculomotor systems in a non-invasive, accurate and affordable way. This cutting-edge equipment eliminates contamination by myogenic and electrical noise seen in ENG.

    We evaluate peripheral and central vestibular functions through the following protocols:

  • Spontaneous nystagmus – with and without optic fixation
  • Gaze evoked nystagmus
  • Saccades – Random Target Movement
  • Smooth tracking – with varying frequencies
  • Optokinetic test
  • Head shaking test
  • Caloric test
  • Positional testing – Dix-Halipike Test, Supine Head Roll and Deep Head Hanging
  • Valsalva, hyperventilation induced nystagmus
  • Skew deviation

SUBJECTIVE VISUAL VERTICAL (SVV)

SW evaluates the otolith system, which is responsible for perception of verticality.

Static and Dynamic SW are important to:

Assess otolithic disorders Assess chronic dizziness Differentiate peripheral from central vestibular disorders Decide side of peripheral vestibular insult during the acute stage Diagnose compensated vestibular disorders Assess effect of rehabilitation in vertigo patients

  • BPPV
  • Menier's disease
  • Vestibular Migraine
  • Vestibular Neuritis
  • Labyrinthitis
  • Vestibular Paroxysmia
  • SSCD
  • Otolithic Disorders
  • Perilymph Fistula
  • Acoustic Neuroma
  • Early detection of vestibulotoxicity
  • Detection of bilateral peripheral vestibulopathy
  • Rehabilitation tool
  • Assessing outcome of rehabilitation

 

Dr. Aravind

Professor

Dr. Laxmi

Professor

Throat Conditions

Tonsillitis

What is Tonsillitis?

The two lymph nodes that are located on each side of the back of your throat are Tonsils. They function as a defence mechanism and helps to prevent your body from getting an infection. Tonsillitis is the condition when tonsils become infected.

Tonsillitis is a common childhood illness and can occur at any age. It is mostly diagnosed in children from preschool age through their mid-teens. Symptoms include fever, a sore throat and swollen tonsils,

This condition is contagious and can be caused by a variety of common bacteria and viruses, such as Streptococcal bacteria, which causes strep throat. Tonsillitis caused due to strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Tonsillitis is relatively easy to diagnose. Symptoms usually go away within one week to ten days.

Adenoids

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are a mass of soft tissues that are high up in the throat and behind the nasal cavity. They are part of the lymphatic system along with the tonsils. The lymphatic system clears the infection and keeps the body fluids in balance. The adenoids and tonsils function by trapping germs coming in through the nose and mouth.

Adenoids usually start to shrink after about the age of five years. By teenage, they are almost completely gone. By then, the body develops other ways to fight germs.

What are enlarged adenoids?

Enlarged adenoids are adenoids that are swollen, which is a common problem in children.

What causes enlarged adenoids?

A child’s adenoids can be enlarged, or swollen because of different reasons. It may just be that the child had enlarged adenoids at birth. Also, Adenoids can become enlarged when they are trying to fight off infection. They may stay enlarged even after the infection is gone.

What problems can enlarged adenoids cause?

Enlarged adenoids can make the person hard to breathe through the nose. He or she might end up breathing only through the mouth. This may cause

  • A dry mouth, leading to bad breath
  • Cracked lips
  • A runny nose
  • Other problems due to enlarged adenoids can include,
  • Loud breathing
  • Snoring
  • Restless sleep
  • Sleep apnea (repeatedly stop breathing for a few seconds while sleeping)
  • Ear infections

How can enlarged adenoids be diagnosed?

The doctor will take a medical history, check the ears, throat, and mouth, and feel the neck.

As the adenoids are higher up than the throat, the doctor cannot see them just by looking through the mouth. To check the size of the adenoids, the doctor may use

  • A special mirror in the mouth
  • A long, flexible tube with an illuminated optical (an endoscope)
  • An X-Ray

What are the treatments for enlarged adenoids?

The right treatment depends on the root cause of the problem. If the symptoms are not too bad, the person may not need treatment. The doctor might just give a nasal spray to reduce the swelling, or antibiotics if he thinks that the patient has a bacterial infection.

In some cases, the person may need an adenoidectomy.

What is an adenoidectomy and why it might be needed?

An adenoidectomy (surgical removal of the adenoid) might be needed if,

The person has repeated infections of the adenoids. In some cases, the infections can also cause ear infections and fluid buildup in the middle ear.

Antibiotics can’t get rid of a bacterial infection

The enlarged adenoids block the airways

If the person also has problems with tonsils, he or she will probably have a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) at the same time that the adenoids are removed.

After having the surgery, the patient usually goes home the same day. He or she will probably have little throat pain, bad breath, and a runny nose. It can take a few more days to feel all better.

Diagnosis and Tests

  • X-Ray Exam: Neck

Hoarseness (Voice Change)

Hoarseness is an abnormal change in the voice caused due to a variety of conditions. The voice may have changes in volume and pitch, ranging from a deep, raspy voice, harsh voice to a weak voice. The rapidity of the onset and the symptoms associated with it will depend on the underlying cause leading to hoarseness.

  • The common cause of hoarseness mostly is acute laryngitis.
  • The underlying cause of hoarseness can be diagnosed based on the patient’s history and physical examination.
  • The treatment depends on the underlying cause.
  • Hoarseness can be prevented by avoiding excessive usage of strenuous voice and smoking cessation.

What causes hoarseness?

Hoarseness is mostly caused by an injury to, or irritation of, the vocal cords. The larynx, which is also referred to as the voice box, is the portion of the respiratory tract containing the vocal cords. The cartilaginous lump of the outer wall of the larynx is commonly referred to as the “Adam’s apple.” The vocal cords are folds of membranous tissue that form a “V” inside the larynx. When we sing or speak, the vocal cords vibrate in the air-stream and produce sound.

Hoarseness can be caused due to a number of conditions. The common cause of hoarseness mostly is inflammation of the vocal cords (acute laryngitis) caused mostly by an upper respiratory tract infection (usually viral), and less commonly from misuse or overuse of the voice (such as yelling or singing loud)

Other causes of hoarseness are:

Benign vocal cord nodules, cysts or polyps,

  • Vocal cord paralysis
  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD),
  • Allergies,
  • Inhalation of respiratory tract irritants,
  • Smoking,
  • Thyroid problems,
  • Trauma to the larynx/vocal cords,
  • Neurological conditions (Parkinson’s disease, strokes, etc.) and
  • Cancer of the larynx.

Treatment for hoarseness

The treatment for hoarseness is based on the underlying cause, for example:

  • Acute laryngitis is caused due to an upper respiratory tract infection that will usually improve on its own as the infection clears the body. Conservative treatment of cough suppressants and humidified air can be highly helpful.
  • Voice rest is also highly recommended to avoid further injury or irritation to the vocal cords.
  • Antibiotics are not indicated for the majority of cases of acute laryngitis.
  • Smoking cessation is strongly advised for those individuals who smoke.
  • Individuals with hoarseness caused due to vocal misuse overuse should adhere to voice rest, as a serious injury such as vocal cord hemorrhage can occur to the vocal cords if the voice is strenuously used during the period of acute laryngitis.
  • Medications for gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or allergies can treat hoarseness if either of those is found to be the underlying cause.
  • In some cases, surgery may be necessary for benign nodules or polyps, trauma to the vocal cords/ larynx and for cancer of the larynx.

How is hoarseness prevented?

Hoarseness can be prevented in some instances, such as:

Avoiding situations that require excessive strenuous voice use, and if a person needs to project their voice, use a microphone whenever possible.

Voice therapists may be helpful in certain cases to assist individuals with voice modification and vocal training.

Smoking cessation mostly prevents hoarseness or the development of cancer of the larynx.

Individuals with hoarseness caused by gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can benefit from dietary modification (such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods) and medications

Dr. Aravind

Professor

Dr. Laxmi

Professor

Facial Paralysis

 Loss of facial movement on one or both sides due to nerve damage is known as Facial paralysis. Facial muscles on one or both sides of the face may appear to droop or become weak.

What causes facial paralysis?

Although there are many different causes of facial paralysis, the most commonly known cause is Bell’s palsy, and prognosis and treatment vary greatly depending on the cause.

Bell’s palsy

Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder that affects the seventh cranial nerve of the facial nerves and leaves the person unable to move one side of their face. It has a tendency to come on suddenly and worsen over several hours.

People in this condition, may not be able to move the muscles on one side of the face, and it might look smooth and expressionless. A person might not be able to close the eye on the affected side, in some cases.

Before the paralysis, the person may experience:

  • a high temperature
  • pain behind the ear
  • stiffness or weakness on one side of the face
  • stiffness in the neck

Doctors still do not know what causes Bell’s palsy. However, disorders of the immune system and viruses may be possible causes.

Some of the main causes of facial paralysis include:

Viral infections such as Ramsay Hunt syndrome or Bell’s palsy.

Surgical causes: for example, when operating on the parotid gland or during the removal of facial nerve tumor or acoustic neuroma.

Following a middle ear infection or bacterial causes such as Lyme disease.

Neurological conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or Neurofibromatosis 2.

Trauma-related injuries such as fractures to the brain, skull or face.

Birth trauma: caused by forceps or facial presentation delivery.

Congenital conditions: such as abnormal development of muscle in the womb or the facial nerve.

Rare genetic syndromes such as CHARGE syndrome or Moebius syndrome.

Stroke: although a stroke can cause facial paralysis it is slightly different in which the problems are not caused by direct damage to the facial nerve.  In this case, the paralysis is caused by brain damage and the messages not being transferred properly to the facial nerve.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnosing the cause of facial paralysis will examine the person and ask questions about their medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms.

Other tests that they might perform include:

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests, such as an MRI
  • Biopsies

When to see a doctor

Any person who experiences facial paralysis should seek immediate medical attention in case it is a sign of an underlying serious health condition.

A person having a stroke requires emergency medical attention. The sooner they are treated, the more likely they are to recover. If anyone suspects that someone is having a stroke can call Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital, Suchitra

Dr. Aravind

Professor

Dr. Laxmi

Professor

Sleep Apnea & Snoring

 It is a serious disorder of sleep that occurs when a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This means the brain and the rest of the body be does not get enough oxygen. Also, the symptoms may include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and restless sleep.

There are two types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA):

It is caused when there is a physical blockage of the upper airway, usually when the soft tissue present in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common of the two forms of sleep apnea,

Central sleep apnea (CSA):

A signaling problem in the nervous system due to which the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.

The person will stop breathing when the upper airway closes or the signal is held up. This will happen temporarily but repeatedly causing interruption to sleep. The person may take a deep breath, snort, or awaken completely with a sensation of smothering, gasping or choking when they breathe again.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems and may lead to other complications such as heart disease and depression. In addition, it can leave a person feeling drowsy, increasing the risk of accidents while driving or working, poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school.

Symptoms

A person suffering from sleep apnea may not be aware of their symptoms, but another person may notice that while sleeping the person:

  • stops breathing for some time, followed by a noisy breath
  • gasps for air
  • snores loudly

The individual may notice that they experience:

  • fatigue
  • restless sleep or insomnia
  • difficulty concentrating
  • waking up several times a night to urinate
  • awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • headaches
  • irritability
  • heartburn
  • decreased libido and erectile dysfunction

Treatment

Treatment aims at normalizing the breath during sleep and address any underlying health problems. The options of treatment will depend on the causes and severity of symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle modifications are very much essential to normalize breathing and are critical first steps in the treatment.

They include:

  • following a heart-healthy diet
  • developing healthy sleeping habits
  • limiting alcohol consumption
  • quitting smoking
  • managing weight
  • sleeping on the side

Other treatment options include:

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy

This is the main treatment for sleep apnea. This procedure helps keep the airway open by gently providing a constant stream of positive pressure air through a mask.

Some people have trouble using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and stop the treatment before achieving any lasting benefit. Simple measures can however help make the equipment more comfortable, and the adjustment period smooth.

Surgical Treatment Options

  • Tonsillectomy
  • Adenoidectomy
  • Palate surgery
  • Tongue base surgery
  • Maxilla, mandible & hyoid bone framework surgeries
  • Surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea
  • Septum deviation correction
  • Septoplasty & turbinate surgery
  • Sinus surgery
  • Tonsils & adenoid surgery

Dr. Aravind

Professor

Dr. Laxmi

Professor

Nose Conditions

When we inhale through our two nostrils, air travels up your nasal passages, moves into the nasal cavity, passes through the trachea and ends in the lungs. Thanks to the olfactory epithelium — it is a tissue covered in mucus that lines the nasal cavity, our nose warms, moistens and filters the air before it enters the lungs. The epithelium is also responsible for our ability to smell odours. Epithelium contains millions of olfactory receptors that bind with specific odour molecules to help us identify certain smells — one trillion different odours,

ENT physicians, or otolaryngologists at Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE hospital, are specially trained in rhinology — disorders of the nose and sinuses.

Let’s look at the most common nose disorders that we diagnose and treat.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation and infection in the sinuses which are the air-filled cavities within the face that branch off from the nasal cavity. Sinusitis is one of the most common health complaints as my people are diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. Our doctors may use X-rays or a CT scan to diagnose sinus disease.

If your infection is acute, treatment may involve decongestants, antibiotics, nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines and irrigations. But if your infection does not respond to medication and keeps coming back, you may need endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Deviated Septum

Chronic sinusitis can be blamed on the shape of the nasal cavity. The nasal septum is the vertical wall that separates your nasal cavity into two nostrils. The ideal nasal septum is exactly midline, separating the left and right sides of the nasal cavity into airways of equal size. However, more than 80 percent of people have nasal septums that are slightly off-center. When the septum is shifted away from the midline severely, the condition is called a “deviated septum.”

A deviated septum may cause:
  • Blockage of nostrils that cause difficulty breathing through the nose
  • Nasal congestion, sometimes one-sided.
  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Repeated sinus infections
  • Facial pain, headaches, postnasal drip.
  • Noisy breathing during sleep in children and infants

To correct a deviated septum a surgical procedure like Septoplasty may be performed entirely through the nostrils. It is usually done to improve nasal breathing and sometimes may be combined with sinus surgery. It may also be performed to allow doctors to examine the inside of the nose before treating or removing tumors or polyps.

During the operation, the surgeon may remove badly deviated portions of the septum, or readjust and reinsert them into the nose. The patient can expect full relief from chronic sinusitis if deviated nasal septum was the sole cause.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are soft, non-cancerous growths on the lining of the nose or sinus most often caused by inflammation due to allergies. Although small nasal polyps may not show symptoms, larger growths or multiple polyps can cause breathing problems and frequent infections.

Medications are sometimes sufficient to eliminate or shrink the polyps, but surgical removal is often required along with medications to prevent more from developing.

Let’s look at the most common nose disorders that we diagnose and treat.
Nasal Allergy (Allergic Rhinitis)

Allergic rhinitis is a condition associated with a group of symptoms affecting the nose. Symptoms like this occur when you breathe in something that you are allergic to, such as animal dander, pollen or dust. Such symptoms can also occur when you eat food that you are allergic to.

Causes

An allergen triggers an allergy. When a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergen like mold, pollen, animal dander, or dust, the body releases chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.

Hay fever involves an allergic reaction to pollen.

Plants that cause hay fever are ragweed, grasses, and trees. Their pollen is carried by the wind. Hay fever is not caused by the pollen from flowers carried by insects. The type of plants that cause hay fever varies from area to area and from person to person.

The amount of pollen present in the air might affect whether hay fever symptoms can develop or not.

Hot, windy, dry days are more likely to have a lot of pollen in the air. Most pollen is washed into the ground on cool, damp, rainy days.

Allergies and Hay fever often run in families. If your parents have other allergies or hay fever, you are very likely to have hay fever and allergies, too. The chances are much higher if your mother has allergies.

Symptoms

The symptoms after you come into contact with the substance you are allergic to may include:

  • Itchy eyes, mouth, throat, skin or any area
  • Problems with smell
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
Symptoms that can develop later include:

Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

Coughing

Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell Sore throat

Dark circles under the eyes

Puffiness under the eyes

Fatigue and irritability

Headache

Recognizing invader

When to Contact a Doctor

Call Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital, Suchitra-Kompally, for an appointment if,

  • You have severe hay fever symptoms
  • Treatment that once worked for you works no longer
  • Your symptoms do not respond to treatment

Nosebleed (Epistaxis)

What is a nosebleed?

Nosebleeds (also called epistaxis) can occur easily from the fragile tissue that lines the inside of your nose. Though most nosebleeds can be handled at home, certain symptoms should be checked by a physician.

Nosebleeds are common. Around 60-80% of people in their lifetime will have at least one nosebleed. A large number of blood vessels situated close to the surface in the lining of your nose and the location of the nose in the middle of the face makes it an easy target for injury and nosebleeds.

How do I stop a nosebleed?

Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed:

Relax.

  • Sit upright and lean your head and body slightly forward. This will control the blood from running down your throat, which can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. (Do NOT bend to put your head between your legs or lay flat)
  • Breathe through your mouth.
  • Pinch together the soft part of your nose using your thumb and index finger. Ensure that you pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard ridge that forms the bridge of the nose.
  • Continue pinching your nose for at least 5 minutes before checking if the bleeding has stopped. If the bleeding still continues, keep squeezing the nose for another 10 minutes.
  • If you want, you can try applying an ice pack to the bridge of your nose to further help constrict blood vessels (which will slow the bleeding) and provide comfort.
  • After the bleeding stops, DO NOT bend over, strain or lift anything heavy. DO NOT rub or blow your nose for several days.

Contact Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital, Suchitra-Kompally, for an appointment if,

If the bleeding does not stop for more than 15 to 20 minutes of applying direct pressure on your nose as described in the stepsabove.

The blood loss is large (more than a cup) or bleeding is rapid.

You are having difficulty breathing.

You have you’ve swallowed a large amount of blood and vomited.

Your nosebleed is after a blow to your head or serious injury

You get nosebleeds often.

You have symptoms of anemia like feeling weak or faint, tired, short of breath, pale skin cold.

You have a child below two years of age who has had a nosebleed.

You have a blood clotting disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs (such as aspirin or warfarin) and the bleeding won’t stop.

You have started a new medication and nose bleeding seems to have occurred due to this.

You get nosebleeds and also notice unusual bruising all over your body. This combination might indicate a more serious condition such as a blood clotting disorder (hemophilia or von Willebrand disease), leukemia or nasal tumor and will need to be checked by your doctor.)

If you are concerned that you are experiencing infections or breathing difficulties related to a nose condition, Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital provides treatment for a wide range of nasal and sinus conditions and provide compassionate, individualized care for children and adults.

Our specialists have received extensive training and completed a variety of procedures, offering the best ENT care for our patients. Our team also has access to a variety of specialties to ensure that patients receive coordinated care.

 

Dr. Aravind

Professor

Dr. Laxmi

Professor